Introduction to the UK Driving Theory Test

Background

In an effort to improve road safety standards, the UK Driving Theory Test was introduced by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) on 1st July 1996. Initially the theory test was for new car drivers and motorcycle riders but it was rolled out to include prospective lorry and bus drivers on 1 January 1997. Since 1 January 2000 theory tests for most types of vehicle are conducted using touch screen computerised technology. The DSA conduct some 1½ million theory tests at some 158 centres every year. The current pass rate for car theory tests is 68%.

Provisional Licence

Before you can take this test you must have a UK provisional driving licence. You need to be resident in Britain to be eligible to apply to the DVLA for this.

Two-Part Test

The theory test is made up of a multiple choice part and a hazard perception part. You need to pass both parts to pass the test overall. Once you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test. The idea is that you apply your theory knowledge to your practical lessons.

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 or keyboard.  Candidates with special needs are provided for.

The Multiple Choice Questions

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence, for example, a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other test.

Only one question appears on the screen at a time with several answer options. You have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer. You can move backwards and forwards through the questions and go back to questions that you want to look at again. It's easy to change your answer and the system will alert you if you have not completely answered a question.

Some multiple choice questions will be given as a case study. There are 50 multiple choice questions to answer within 57 minutes and you have to get at least 43 correct.

After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

The Hazard Perception Test

You'll be presented with a series of 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. The pass mark for the car test HPT is 44 out of 75. (For lorry and bus candidates it's 50 out of 75 and driving instructors it's 57).

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, the items are drawn from the same pool, and each vehicle category takes the same test.  However the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.  Lorry and bus multiple choice and hazard perception tests are booked and taken separately.

Test Result

The test result for both elements will be immediately available at the end of the test, once you've returned to the waiting room.

What you have to study

The bank of over one thousand questions tests covers 14 topic areas. The main source material is the Highway Code and the 'Driving - Essential Skills'. The whole bank of official questions is commercially available in DVD and tradition book formats from the usual High Street retailers.

After passing the Theory Test

Passing this test doesn't mean that you can forget what you've learnt! Continue putting what you've learnt into practice during driving lessons and practice, and there's no reason why you shouldn't pass your practical test first time. Motoring legislation and regulations are under constant review, so it is important for all motorists to stay up to date.