The Theory Test
You can take the theory test from your 17th birthday onwards.
You must have a provisional driving licence to book your theory test, and you must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test, so practice and revision is important!
The cost of the theory test is £23, and you can book it here through the official gov.uk website.
The Theory Test is split in to two parts: multiple-choice questions, and the hazard perception test.
Multiple-choice questions
The multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
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The Highway Code
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Know your traffic signs
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Driving - the essential skills
These books can be bought from bookshops, or you can practice via the gov.uk website or DVSA app.
You can take free mock tests on the DVSA Safe Driving For Life website, to give yourself some good practice on the types of questions that may appear on the real test.
There are 50 multiple-choice questions, and you'll have 57 minutes to complete the questions.
You'll need to score at least 43 out of 50 to pass this part of the theory test.
Hazard perception test
The hazard perception test features 14 videos, all of everyday road scenes with at least one 'developing hazard'. You can score up to 5 points for spotting each developing hazard as soon as it starts to happen.
To help you understand how the hazard perception test works, watch this YouTube video guide from the official DVSA YouTube channel.
You can practice with 3 test clips for free on the DVSA Safe Driving For Life website.
You'll need to score at least 44 out of 75 to pass this part of the theory test.
Pass mark and test result
You’ll get the result at the test centre after taking the theory test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.
For the multiple-choice questions you'll need to score 43 out of 50, and for the hazard perception test you'll need to score 44 out of 75.
If you pass:
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You’ll get a letter with a pass certificate number at the test centre. You need this when you book and take your driving test.
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Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You must pass your driving test in that time, otherwise you’ll have to pass the theory test again.
If you fail:
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You’ll get a letter at the test centre. It’ll tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise.
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You must book and take the full test again, even if you passed one part of the test.
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You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test again.
