Theory test preparation
Before you can take your practical driving test, you need to prepare for and pass your theory test.
The car theory test costs £23. There are two parts to the test:
Part 1: Multiple choice
Part 2: Hazard perception
It’s vital to prepare for your theory test: there’s a lot to learn about the rules of the road.
Part 1: Multiple choice
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You have 57 minutes
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Answer 50 questions
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47 based on 14 topics
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3 based on 1 video clip
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Score at least 43 out of 50 to pass
eLearning
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You have 57 minutes
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Answer 50 questions
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47 based on 14 topics
-
3 based on 1 video clip
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-
Score at least 43 out of 50 to pass
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study the 14 key topic areas
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practice questions focused on each topic, and 9 multiple choice video clips
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connect your learning progress with your driving instructor or parents
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test yourself with our official “test view” option.
The Official Highway Code
The Official Highway Code is essential reading for all road users.
Stay up to date with the rules of the road.
Know your traffic signs
Know Your Traffic Signs is an official source of theory test questions.
Prepare for the theory test by learning essential traffic signs.
Practical tips
Packed full of advice designed to help you become a safer driver.
The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills, includes really helpful tips on:
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good driving techniques
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what to do in an incident, accident or emergency
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maintenance and security
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fuel-efficient driving
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towing
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driving and the law .
Joined-up learning
Safe Driving for Life have worked with DVSA to produce exclusive eLearning content to support learners with their instructors.
The subscription package uses references to the Highway Code (HC), Know your traffic signs (KYTS) and Driving – the essential skills (DES), to help learners’ understanding of the topics covered by the multiple choice theory test:
Explore the topic
Extra learning tips
There are various methods you can use to help you learn what you’ll need to know for your test. Here are a few ideas
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Link what you’re learning to your own experiences: for example, think about where you’ve seen an example of a road sign and use this to help you remember what the sign means.
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Use mnemonics: these are sayings or stories that help you remember something – for example, ‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’ reminds you of the colours of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
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Practise the question formats: as well as knowing all the information, you’ll also need to know how the questions are asked in the test. Use the practice test and the self-assessment questions in The Official DVSA Theory Test for Car Drivers.
Part 2: Hazard perception
In the test, you’ll see 14 film clips, each shown from a driver’s point of view. You’ll need to spot the developing hazard in each film: this is something that might need you, as the driver, to take some action such as changing speed or direction. For example, a car pulling in to the side of the road ahead of you is a developing hazard because you may need to slow down and manoeuvre around it or stop.
How to practise
The hazard perception test checks you can recognise and respond to hazards that could happen while you’re driving. Being out on the road with your instructor will help you prepare for this part.
eLearning subscription
Use The Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception eLearning subscription to share your online progress with your instructor:
Buy: Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception eLearning
Over 130 high quality, interactive video clips.
Free test resources
Try: Free practice hazard perception test
3 practice clips, score 9 points or more in total to pass.