The Theory Test

The theory test is made up of two sections and both are conducted at specific test centres and are computer based. Don’t worry though, as the equipment is very easy to use and will not require any previous knowledge or experience of using computers. If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and will have to re-take both

Multiple-Choice Questions
Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test works. You can then 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.

Some car and motorcycle multiple choice questions will be given as a case study. The case study will show a scenario that five questions will be based on. The subject of the scenario focuses on real life examples and experiences that drivers could come across when driving.

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. You are allowed 57 minutes to answer 50 questions. The pass mark is 43.

You can revise and practice your theory test here.

Hazard Perception Test
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 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the car/motorcycle 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 rate is 44 out of a possible 75 points.