 Read our Information Page to see what books the DSA recommend to help you with your theory test
The Theory Test can be booked on line at www.dsa.gov.uk or you can phone the DSA on 0300 200 1122. You will need your driving license and a credit / debit card for the payment of £30.00.
Theory Test Explained
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 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.
If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again.
The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for, ie a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't 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'll 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.
For cars and motorcycles you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
For lorries and buses you'll 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'll 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'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.
To achieve a high score you'll 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 won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll 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'll be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.
You don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions don't 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'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll then be given your result by the test centre staff.
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.
DSA have also produced a DVD or a video and booklet package called Road Sense, which is the official guide to hazard perception for all drivers and riders.
Documents to bring to your driving theory test
You'll be expected to show both parts of your valid driving licence (the photocard and the paper counterpart) at the test centre. If you have an old-style licence without a photo you must also bring a valid passport.
Old-style driving licences
An old-style licence consists of one paper document which does not display your photograph. If you have an old-style paper licence you must also bring a valid passport with you - no other form of photographic identification will be accepted.
At the test centre
Once you have been registered at reception you'll 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're 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're taking.
If you have any problems during the theory test, you should raise your hand to attract the attention of the test invigilator.
How do candidates with special needs sit the test?
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) provides a number of facilities for those people with special requirements, these include foreign language voiceovers, extra time, British Sign Language interpretation and translator assisted tests.
How do candidates with special requirements take the theory test?
The following facilities are available for candidates with special requirements. All of the facilities need to be requested at the time of booking.Facilities for those whose first language is not EnglishIf 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.
Foreign language voiceovers are available in the following languages:
Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Dari, English, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kurdish, Mirpuri, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Pushto, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh
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.
The Practical Driving Test can be booked on line at www.dsa.gov.uk or by phone on 0300 200 1122. You will need your Driving License, your Theory Test Certificate and a credit / Debit Card for the cost of £56.50. There are tests available at weekends but these are at the rate of £67.00. (Please ensure that your instructor is available before you book your test, Your instructor has an ADI number which you should quote when booking your test, this will ensure that you do not double book the instructor) Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. For a list of the Test Routes please click here. Please remember that you are not taught the test routes, you are taught safe driving practices on all types of roads.
The test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue). The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away. For more information about the eyesight check please click here.
After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:
1. reversing around a corner
2. turning in the road
3. reverse parking
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
The Practical Driving Test is designed to see if you can drive safely, know the Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving.
You will be given directions in good time asked to carry out set exercises
The driving test lasts approximately 40 minutes (Extended tests will last about 70 minutes)What will the test include?The test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue). The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away. For more information about the eyesight check please use .
Driving Test - Extended
Re-testing for disqualified drivers and riders was introduced on 06 January 1992. The cost of the extended test is £97.00
Courts can impose an extended driving test on anyone convicted of dangerous driving offences convicted of other offences involving obligatory disqualification
Loss of your driving licence for dangerous driving or related offences involving obligatory disqualification means that you return to 'learner' status.
Normal rules for provisional licence-holders will apply.You must take and pass a theory test for the category of vehicle for which you intend to take an extended practical driving test.
The extended driving test is longer and therefore more demanding. It lasts for about 70 minutes and covers a wide variety of roads, usually including dual carriageways.
You are advised to prepare by taking suitable instruction from an ADI.
The higher fee reflects the length of the test.The purpose of re-testing is not punitive; it is a road safety measure, to check the driver's competence.
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