THE THEORY TEST

for car, motorcycle, LGV and PCV candidate

You will be asked to answer 35 multiple choice questions, followed by a test of your hazard perception skills.
You will need to pass both parts of the theory test at the same sitting to obtain your theory test pass certificate.

What is the multiple choice part of the test?
This part consists of 35 multiple choice questions covering a wide range of driving topics. By touching the screen, you select an answer, or answers, from the selection shown. To pass you must answer 30 or more questions correctly in 40 minutes.
You have the option of working through a practice session lasting up to 15 minutes to get used to the system before starting the actual test.

How does the hazard perception part work?
After a break of up to three minutes, the hazard perception part will start. You will be shown a tutorial video first. This uses sample footage with a sound track (headphones supplied), which will explain how to complete this part of the test. You may repeat the tutorial once more if you wish.
The test consists of 14 video clips, each lasting about one minute. The clips feature various types of hazards, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. You should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The earlier the developing hazard is spotted, and a response made, the higher the score.
Candidates can score up to five marks on each hazard and the test contains 15 scoreable hazards.
The pass mark for this part of the test is 44 out of 75 for car drivers and motorcycle riders.
Those taking Driving Instructor A.D.I. tests must score at least 57 out of 75.
Candidates are given their results when they have finished both parts of the test and have returned to the waiting room.

There are PC's available at our office for you to practice either the theory or hazard perception elements of this test.

How do candidates with special needs sit the test?
Candidates who have special needs, which are not met by any of the facilities listed below, may apply to have longer than the standard time of 40 minutes to take the multiple-choice part. Such requests should be made when booking the test.
Facilities for candidates with special needs include:
- for car and motorcycle candidates, using a headset to listen to the test being read in one of 20 other languages. This will help candidates who do not understand or read English, or who wish to take the test in their first language.
These languages are Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kurdish, Mirpuri, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Pushto, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.
- large goods vehicle drivers and passenger carrying vehicle drivers can use a headset to listen to the test being read in English nd Welsh.
- for all candidates, using a headset to listen to the test being read in English. This helps those with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
- an on-screen video of the test being signed in British Sign Language for car and motorcycle candidates who are deaf or have other hearing difficulties.
Preparing for the new theory test
We strongly recommend that all candidates prepare thoroughly for the test. To help prepare we recommend The Highway Code, relevant books from our Essential Skills series and Know Your Traffic Signs. The official theory test books and CD-Roms contain the multiple choice questions. The CD-Roms show screens similar to those used in the multiple choice part of the test and information about hazard perception.

Please see our study material page for books, cd's, DVD's to help you prepare.

Booking your theory test: You can either contact the DSA booking service on 0870 01 01 372 or you can ask our office staff to book it for you. Alternatively our driving instructors will help you with your application forms etc.

Learning Materials are available from our office or from any of our driving instructors.