Theory Driving Test Information

This information has been reproduced with the kind permission of the DSA and is updated by Learner One Driving School as regularly as possible. To ensure any information is accurate please visit www.dsa.gov.uk.

You can start taking driving lessons before you take your theory test. However, you cannot apply for the practical driving test until you have passed the theory test.

Booking your test
You can book a theory test over the phone on 0870 01 01 372, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday except on Bank Holidays. Alternatively, you can book online. To book a theory test, either with an operator over the phone, or online, you will need:

Reporting for your theory test
When you arrive at the test centre you will be expected to show both parts of your valid driving licence (the photocard and the paper counterpart). You should also take your appointment letter or booking number. If you don't take the correct documents with you on the day, you won't be able to take your test and you will lose your fee.

From 1 November 2005 if you have an old-style paper licence you must take both your paper driving licence and a valid passport. No other form of photographic identification will be accepted.

At the test centre
You should arrive at the test centre in plenty of time so that you aren't rushed. Once you have been registered at reception you will go through to the test room. You may not take anything into the room with you; all personal items must be stored in the lockers provided. Once you are in the test room you may not talk to or distract other candidates. The computer screen will display your name and the category of test you are taking. If you have any problems during the theory test, you should raise your hand to attract the attention of the test invigilator.

THE THEORY DRIVING TEST

The theory test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and mouse and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.

You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. If you pass one part and fail the other you will fail the whole test, and you will need to take both parts again.

Part one - multiple choice
Before the test starts you will be given instructions on how the test works.

You can also choose to go through a practice session of the 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 answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen or using the mouse. Some questions may require more than one answer.

You will be asked 35 questions in 40 minutes. You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test.

The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 30 out of 35.

After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Part two – hazard perception
After the break you will then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.

You will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

The pass mark for the hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.

At the end of the test
At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you will be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.

You do not have to answer the questions if you do not want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions do not affect the result of the test.

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you will not be allowed to enter it again. You will then be given your result by the test centre staff.

After your theory driving test
After your test, you will be given your result letter by the test centre staff.

The letter tells you if you passed or failed, and it gives you feedback on your test. It tells you in which topic areas you answered questions incorrectly, so you know which topics to look at again, and it tells you the breakdown of points you scored throughout the hazard perception part ie how many 5’s, 4’s, 3’s you scored.

If you scored mainly 0’s, 1’s and 2’s you are reacting slowly to the hazard that is developing onscreen, whereas if you scored mainly 5’s and 4’s you are identifying the developing hazards in good time.

If you pass…
If you passed, you will also receive your theory test certificate which has your theory test number on. You will need this number when you book your practical test.

Your theory test certificate is valid for two years from the date of your test. If you do not take your practical test within this two year period you will have to take another theory test. There are no exceptions to this rule.

If you fail...
If you fail the theory test you should look at the feedback given on the letter and identify why you failed.

If you want to book another theory test you can book a test straight away, but you cannot take the test for another three clear working days. So, if you failed your first test on Monday afternoon, you will have to wait until Friday morning before you can take your next theory test.

Special Needs
The following facilities are available for candidates with special needs. All of the facilities need to be requested at the time of booking:

Facilities for those whose first language is not English
Facilities for those whose first language is not English If your first language is not English, or you can not read or understand written English well, you can request a voiceover in one of 21 languages. A voiceover allows you to hear the theory test instructions and questions through headphones. The questions will automatically be read out to you, you can hear the answer options by touching the text on the screen. You can hear the questions as many times as you like, you simply need to touch the text of the question onscreen again. These languages are:

Translator assisted tests
If there is no voiceover provided in the language you require, you can request to have a translator assisted theory test. The call centre agent should be able to tell you the names and contact details of the relevant DSA approved translators. It is your responsibility to arrange a test date with the translator and to pay any fees involved.

Facilities for those with reading difficulties
If you have dyslexia or other reading difficulties you can ask for an English or Welsh voiceover. You can also request to have up to double time for the multiple choice part of the theory test. If you require more than the standard time of 40 minutes for the multiple choice part you will need to send in evidence of your reading difficulty to the theory test booking customer services.

Facilities for those with hearing difficulties
If you are deaf or have hearing difficulties you can ask to take the theory test in British sign language (BSL). The BSL interpretation will run alongside the standard test questions and answers. If you do not use BSL, an interpreter can be taken into the test centre, this facility needs to be arranged through the theory test customer services section. There is no extra fee for either facility.

Other special requirements
If you have a special need that is not met by the facilities above, you can contact the theory test customer services section who can discuss your requirements and the facilities available.