Theory Test

Theory Test

Before you can book a driving test to get your full UK driving licence, you must book and pass your theory test. The theory test is in two parts; a multiple choice question test followed by a hazard perception test. It takes around one hour to complete the theory test. You must pass both parts to be able to move on to your practical driving test. You will receive your result very soon after completing the test.

To pass the multiple choice part of the test a minimum score of 43 out of 50 is required. Usually there are four possible answers to each question, one of which will be correct. Always read the entire question carefully (as it may ask for more than one answer).

Some questions may be given as a case study. The case studies show a short story that 5 questions are based on and will be about a real life situation that you may well come across when driving. Questions are randomly selected from a bank of around a thousand on a selection of topics. You have 57 minutes to complete this part.

Hazard Perception

The hazard perception test is a video test about spotting hazards on the road. You will be shown fourteen film clips each lasting around one minute. The video clips will show you everyday road scenes these could involve other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, or poor road conditions such as Ice, Rain, and fog.

Each of the video clips will contain at least one developing hazard for you to respond to, but one of the clips will contain 2 developing hazards. A developing hazard is anything that will cause you to take action, like making a change of speed (braking) or changing direction (steering). The faster you respond to the developing hazard, the higher your score for that clip.

A maximum of five points are available for each of the fifteen hazards. To pass the hazard perception part of the test a minimum score of 44 out of 75 is required. Before you start your theory test you will get some advice on how the test works and the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens

Booking your test

You must have a provisional driving licence to book your theory test. You can book your theory test from this page book your theory test it costs £23.

When can I take the theory test?

You can take the theory test from your 17th birthday onwards unless you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in which case you can take it from your 16th birthday.

Who needs to take the theory test?

You usually need to take the theory test before you can get your full car driving licence however you don’t need to take the car theory test if you want to upgrade an automatic car licence to a manual one or already have a category B1 driving licence (3 or 4-wheeled light vehicles) ) from before 1 February 2001.

If you have a moped or motorcycle licence you must pass a car theory test before taking the car driving test.

If your licence isn’t from Great Britain

Find out if you can drive in Great Britain (GB) with your non-GB licence without taking a theory and driving test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your theory test after you’ve booked it and you can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.

Rebook your test

Rebook your theory test if you failed your test and want to re-sit it. You have to choose a date at least 3 working days away.

Theory test centres