The theory test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard
perception part. You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. Once you have
passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test.
Taking your theory 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 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.
The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle
you are hoping to obtain a licence for, ie a motorcycle theory test will contain
specific questions that do not appear in any other test.
For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles,
each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for
different categories of tests.
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. Some questions may require
more than one answer.
You will be asked 35 questions in 40 minutes and the pass mark is 30 out of 35.
For lorries and buses from 2 April 2007 you will be asked 60 questions in 70 minutes
and the pass mark is 51 out of 60.
You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back
to later in the test. 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 car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test
is 44 out of 75. For lorries and buses the pass mark is 50 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.