The Theory Test Explained

The theory test is made up of a multiple choice part and a hazard perception part.
You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. Once you’ve passed it you can apply to take your
practical driving test.

If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again.
The questions in the multiple choice test will depend on the category of vehicle you are hoping to get a
licence for. For example, a motorcycle theory test will contain questions that don't appear in any other test.
For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, but the pass mark is
different for them. Lorry and bus multiple-choice and hazard perception tests are booked and taken separately.

The multiple-choice part

Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how it works. You can choose to do a practice session of multiple-choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin. A question and several possible answers will appear on a computer screen - you have to select the correct answer. Some questions may need more than one answer. You can move between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. Some car and motorcycle questions will be given as a case study. The case study will: * show a short story that five questions will be based on * focus on real life examples and experiences that you could come across when driving.

You have 57minutes in which to finish the test.
The pass mark for the multiple-choice questions is 43 out of 50.

Take an official practice theory test

The links below will take you to practice screens that look similar to the theory test you will take at the
official test centre. Each test contains 50 multiple choice questions. There are no hazard perception clips
within these tests.

In order to take these practice tests, you must have Adobe Flash 9 installed on your computer.
If you do not have Adobe Flash 9, you may decide to download it from the Adobe website.

(Install or update Adobe Flash Player)

Online Car Theory Practice Test - one

Online Car Theory Practice Test - two

The hazard perception part

Before you start the hazard perception part, you'll be shown a short video clip about how it works.
You'll then be shown a series of video clips on a computer screen. The clips: * feature every day road
scenes and contain at least one developing hazard - but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

A developing hazard is something that may result in you having to take some action, such as changing
speed or direction.

How the scoring works

The earlier you notice a developing hazard and make a response, the higher you will score.
The most you can score for each developing hazard is five points.
To get a high score you need to: * respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its
development * press the mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing.
You won’t be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test. If you click continuously
or in a pattern during a clip, a message will appear at the end telling you that you've scored zero for
that particular clip.

An example of when to respond.

Think of a parked car on the side of the road. When you first see it, it isn’t doing anything - it’s just a
parked car. If you respond at this point, you wouldn’t score any marks, but you wouldn’t lose any marks.
When you get closer to the car, you notice that its right-hand indicator starts to flash. This would make
you think that the driver of the car is going to move away. The hazard is now developing and a response
at this point would score marks. The indicator coming on is a sign that the car has changed from a
potential hazard into a developing hazard. When you get closer to the car, you’ll probably see it start to
move away from the side of the road. Another response should be made at this point.

You will watch 14 video clips all of which have one developing hazard, one has two hazards making a
total of 15.

The pass mark is 44 out of 75

A great tool to help with practising both the multiple choice questions and the hazard
videos is to purchase the Driving Test Success PC ROM from Amazon LINK