The Theory Test.

Theory Test

You can take your theory test if you are aged 17+ and possess a valid provisional licence. If you pass the test, your certificate will only be valid for 2 years, so it's best to take it as you are learning to drive or will be starting fairly soon afterwards. The test is often easier if you have had some driving lessons prior to taking it as you will already be aware of basic rules of the road, signage and road markings and will have begun to develop some sense of hazard awareness.

The theory test currently costs £31, which is usually paid by debit card.

There are two parts to the test, a set of multiple choice questions (pass mark 43/50) and a hazard perception test (pass mark 44/75).

Multiple Choice Questions

You will be asked 50 out of a possible 1000 questions in this part of the theory test. This means the range of questions will be different for each person and each time that they take it. Although the test will not be split, the general categories they fall into include:

• Alertness
  • Testing your observational skills and road safety
• Attitude
  • Testing your consideration and courtesy towards other drivers
• Safety and your vehicle
  • Testing your knowledge of a vehicle and how to detect faults/defects
• Safety margins
  • Testing your understanding of road surfaces and weather conditions
• Hazard awareness
  • Testing your ability to anticipate and plan for a hazard in the road
• Vulnerable road users
  • Testing your attitude towards vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, children, motorcyclists etc.
• Other types of vehicle
  • Testing your safety and courtesy towards a range of alternative vehicles such as lorries and motorcycles
• Vehicle handling
  • Testing your knowledge of how external factors e.g. the weather affect handling of a vehicle
• Motorway rules
  • Testing your understanding of the differences between motorways and normal roads
• Rules of the road
  • Testing your knowledge of speed limits, lane discipline, parking etc.
• Road and traffic signs
  • Testing your recognition of road and traffic signs
• Documents
  • Testing your knowledge of the variety of documents road users must possess e.g. license, insurance, MOT certificate
• Accidents
  • Testing your knowledge of basic first aid and how to deal with road accidents
• Vehicle loading
  • Testing your understanding of how loading a vehicle e.g. towing affects driving

The best practice for this section is to buy practice CDs and/or books and work through them. It would also be helpful to get a copy of The Highway Code, which outlines in detail the rules of the road and a selection of road signs and markings.