Driving Theory Test 2023

[Rosy Demorest]

Thetheory test itself is made of two parts. The first part consists of 50 multiple-choice questions which tests your knowledge of driving practices. The second part is a video-based hazard perception test which assesses your ability to respond to hazardous situations on the road. Both parts are taken on the same day.

The driving theory test is administered by the DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency), a government agency that provides driver education and sets the theory and practical tests for cars and other vehicles. The DVSA is different to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) which is responsible for keeping a database of drivers and vehicles in the UK and issuing licences. Both of these organisations are governed by the Department of Transport.

Although it is possible to sit the theory test before having any practical driving experience, it is advised that you start your practical lessons first. The content you need to cover for the theory test will make more sense after you have some experience on the road.

All of the questions will have four answers to choose from listed after the question. One of these is correct and the other three are incorrect. A few years ago, some of the questions may have had more than four options to choose from with several possible correct answers. This has since been changed by the DVSA.

You will be asked knowledge-based questions from a variety of different categories. For car drivers, there are 14 categories which encompass about 900 questions, 50 of which will be randomly chosen to appear in your test. These categories include:

The case study will appear on the left-hand side of the screen and the accompanying questions will appear on the right side. The case study may have a picture or diagram to complement the text. You will have the opportunity to re-read the case study as you respond to each of the questions.

Before the start of the test, you will be given a 15-minute optional practice session allowing you to familiarise yourself with the format of the test and the navigation system. You will be given 5 practice questions to do. During this period, you may seek assistance from members of staff at the driving theory test centre if need be.

The hazard perception test is the second part of the theory test and is a series of CGI video clips with the aim of assessing your ability to recognize developing hazards on the road. The test demonstrates your knowledge of potential risks associated with driving. This includes risks to you as a driver, risks to your passengers and risks to other road users.

The best way to prepare for the multiple-choice part of the theory test is to practice our theory test revision questions and answers. The mock tests featured on our website encompass everything you will need to know for your test. We have also put together mock tests that contain questions specific to each of the 14 driving theory test categories. Keep attempting these mock tests until you gain a good understanding of the questions and are able to pass each time.

This is a fairly common question. The national pass rate is about 50% which would suggest that the driving theory test is quite difficult. You can increase your chances of passing by preparing and revising sufficiently. The hazard perception test is often considered the more difficult of the two parts of the theory test but despite this, preparation for this section is oftentimes overlooked, leading to people failing the section and failing the theory test as a whole. Remember, you need to pass both parts of the theory test so you should spend generous amounts of time preparing for them both.

The best way to prepare for the hazard perception test is to practice with as many video clips as possible. We have a number of CGI clips and real-life videos in our library which will help you to prepare sufficiently. Your driving instructor should also be able to help you learn hazard perception skills and can give you plenty of practice in what to look out for when driving, how to anticipate hazards and what action to take when having to deal with different types of hazards. For this reason, it is important that you take driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor from a reputable driving school.

You should be able to get a test time and date in the following two weeks. You should receive an e-mail confirming the details of your booking shortly after making your application along with a booking reference number.

If you would prefer to book by phone, the number to call is 0300 200 1122. Phone lines are open from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Your appointment letter should arrive in the post within 10 days of making the booking.

There are over 150 theory test centres in England, Scotland and Wales, and six in Northern Ireland. Find out what your nearest theory test centre is by asking your driving instructor or by entering your post code here.

If you have a reading difficulty such as dyslexia, a disability or a health condition, you need to contact the DVSA before booking your test to discuss your options. See the government website for more details.

You can change your driving theory test appointment online at -theory-test. You can use this service to find an earlier date, move your appointment to a later date or change your test centre. Alternatively, call DVSA customer support on 0300 200 1122 from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

If you want to cancel your theory test appointment altogether you can do so online at -theory-test. Alternatively, call DVSA customer support on 0300 200 1122 from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

Once you have completed the hazard perception test, you will need to get up and go to the reception desk. You will be asked to hand over your photocard provisional licence so your results can be retrieved. You should receive your result within 10 minutes.

The United Kingdom driving test is a test of competence that UK residents take in order to obtain a full Great Britain or Northern Ireland (car) driving licence or to add additional full entitlements to an existing one.[1] Tests vary depending on the class of vehicle to be driven. In Great Britain it is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)[2] and in Northern Ireland by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).[3]

The minimum age at which one can take a UK driving test is currently 16 for mopeds and 17 for cars (16 for those on the higher/enhanced rate of the mobility component of DLA or PIP[4]). There is no upper age limit. In addition to a driving licence, a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate may be required before a moped or motorcycle is ridden.[5]

Around 1.6 million people sit the practical car test each year, with a pass rate of around 43%. The theory test has a pass rate of around 50%.[6] To become a category B (car) licence holder, candidates pay 23 for the theory test and 62 (45.50 in Northern Ireland[7]) for the practical driving test.[8]

UK driving licences were introduced by the Motor Car Act 1903 but no test was required. The intention was purely to identify vehicles and their drivers.[9] The Road Traffic Act 1930 introduced age restrictions and a test for disabled drivers; this was the first formal driving test in the UK. These licences were only valid for one year from the date of issue.[10] Legislation for compulsory testing was introduced for all new drivers with the Road Traffic Act 1934. The test was initially voluntary to avoid a rush of candidates until 1 June 1935 when all people who had started to drive on or after 1 April 1934 needed to have passed the test.[11]

Testing was suspended during World War II,[11]and was suspended again during the Suez Crisis in 1956 to allow examiners to help to administer petrol rations.[11] During the Coronavirus pandemic, testing was also suspended; in England between March and July 2020 and January and April 2021; in Wales, between March and August 2020 and January and April 2021; in Scotland, between March 2020 and May 2021; and in Northern Ireland between March 2020 and April 2021.[12] Key workers were still allowed to take tests if they had submitted the correct paperwork.

The driving theory test was introduced in July 1996 as a written examination, which was updated to computerised format in 2000.[11] The hazard perception segment of the theory test was introduced in November 2002. In January 2015, new CGI clips replaced the real-life video clips in the Hazard Perception Test.[13]

Drivers wishing to gain a category B (car) licence need to pass two separate tests. First, the theory test must be passed. The candidate then has two years to pass their practical test before their theory test certificate expires and they have to take the theory again. Upon passing the practical test, drivers are given a pass certificate (acting as a temporary licence) and immediately become category B licence holders.

Both parts must be passed in order to obtain a theory test pass certificate.[14] This enables the candidate to book a practical driving test.[15] Candidates have two years from the date that they passed the first part of their theory test to take their practical test, or they will have to pass both parts of the theory test once again before they can book a practical test.

This part of the theory test is performed on a computer system. The test has 50 multiple choice questions and the candidate must answer at least 43 (86%) of them correctly to pass.[16] All questions are randomly selected from a bank of just under one thousand on a selection of topics.

The test lasts for 57 minutes although candidates with certain special needs can apply for more time.[17] All 50 questions must be answered. The test allows 15 minutes practice time at the start of the exam to get used to answering the questions and how to use the system. To answer a question the candidate simply touches their choice of answer from the listed answers on the computer screen. If a mistake is made the candidate can deselect a choice and reselect a different option. The candidate is allowed to go back to a question at any time and can also flag questions they are unsure of in order to find and return to it quickly and easily later.[16]

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