Theory test
UK Driving Theory Test Preparation
Before taking your practical driving test in the UK, you must first pass your driving theory test. Far from a formality, the UK driving theory test is an important assessment of your knowledge and understanding of the most important rules of the road.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at what you can expect when taking your driving theory test, along with how to plan and prepare ahead of the big day.
Eligibility Requirements
The only legal requirement for taking your driving theory test in the UK is holding a valid and active provisional driving licence at the time. This means that you can technically take your driving theory test on your 17th birthday, if you organise delivery of your provisional licence in advance.
However, it’s important to remember that if you successfully pass your driving theory test, your certificate will then be valid for two years only. If you don’t pass your practical driving test during this time, you will need to sit your driving theory test again.
How Does the Test Work?
The UK driving theory test takes place as a multiple choice quiz (50 questions) and a separate hazard perception test, which must be taken at an approved Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) theory test centre. There are currently more than 80 DVSA theory test centres across the UK, situated in most major towns and cities.
Book your Theory Test:
Book your Theory Test
When you book your theory test, you will need to provide:
• Your full name and address
• A contact telephone number
• Your e-mail address if booking online
• Your provisional driving licence number
On the day, the Theory Test is in two parts:
1. Multiple Choice Questions
2. Hazard Perception
Multiple-choice questions
You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.
Before the test starts you’ll get:
instructions on how the test works
the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens
Hazard perception test
Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.
You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:
feature everyday road scenes
contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ – but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards
You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.