Following is all the information you might need to know
about the UK DSA driving test conducted by the DSA.
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Q.
What is the UK DSA driving theory test?
Q. How to book, change or
cancel your DSA theory test appointment?
Q. How do I comment or
complain if I have any problem?
Q. Do I need to bring any
documents with me on the day of the theory test?
Q. What happens when I
arrive at the test centre?
Q. How much does the DSA driving
theory test cost?
Q. How long does it take
to get my DSA driving test result?
Q. Do I get feedback on
what I got wrong in the DSA test?
Q. Can I take a
paper-based DSA theory test?
Q. Do I need to be able
to use computers while giving the DSA theory test?
Q. How long do I get to
take the DSA theory test?
Q. How many questions are
there in the DSA driving theory test?
Q. What is the pass mark
for DSA driving theory test?
Q. How do I answer
questions / how do I mark the answers?
Q. Can I change an answer
after I have selected one?
Q. Can I skip questions I
am not sure about, and go back to them later?
Q. Can other candidates
see my results on the screen?
Q. What happens if the
computer system breaks down?
Q. Does everyone have to
take the theory test?
Q. Can I take my
practical test first?
Q. Can people with
special needs use the system?
Q. I am colour blind. Can
I still use the system?
Q. I am dyslexic. Can I
use the system?
Q. Can I take the theory
test in a language other than English?
Q. The test is not
available in my language. Can I bring a translator with
me to translate the test?
Q. I have hearing
difficulties. Can I use the system?
Q. I have light-sensitive
epilepsy. How can I take a theory test?
Q. How do I book a theory
test?
Q. Where do I get an
application form for the theory test?
Q. Where do I send my
application form?
Q. What material can I
revise from?
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Q. What is the UK DSA driving theory test? |
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The UK
driving theory test was introduced in July 1996
as a written examination and updated to a
computer based test in 2000. The test is
conducted by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency).
Everyone who wants to have a full UK licence has
to clear the theory test first and then only
will be able to appear for the practical driving
test.
The theory test consists of 2 parts. The
first is the written part which consists of 50
multiple-choice questions (selected randomly
from a bank of over 1200 and 5 marks case study) about a wide range of
'driving topics', such as car or bike mechanics,
the Highway Code and driving law. The second
part is the Hazard perception test forms a
second section of the theory test and must be
passed at the same time.
This part of the theory test requires you to view 14
hazard video clips on the computer screen of
approximately one minute each. You are required
to watch these clips as if you were the driver.
There will be 15 hazards to find - at least one
on each clip. However, one clip will have 2
hazards. The hazard clips will not contain any
sound. The clips feature various types of
hazards, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road
conditions. You should respond by pressing a
mouse button as soon as you see a hazard
developing that may result in the driver having
to take some action, such as changing speed or
direction. The earlier the developing hazard is
spotted, and a response made, the higher the
score.
Candidates can score up to five marks on each
hazard and the test contains 15 scoreable
hazards. You click either the left or right
mouse button whenever you think you can see a
hazard developing. The speed at which you click
the mouse button as a hazard develops will
determine your score for that particular hazard
clip. You can score between 0 and 5 on each
hazard.
The pass mark for this part of the theory test
is 44 out of 75 (i.e. 15 hazards x 5) for car
drivers and motorcycle riders.
Those taking LGV or PCV (lorry or bus) tests
must score at least 50 out of 75.
If you fail in any of the sections, you have to
give the DSA theory test again. |
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Q. How to book, change or cancel your DSA theory test
appointment? |
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Theory test
appointments can be booked, and subject to three
clear working days notice, be changed and cancelled
using the online booking service or the telephone.
You can also download an application form and apply
by post. Before you can take your theory test
you will need to make sure you have a valid
provisional driving licence. You can apply for a
provisional driving licence from the Driver
and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The application
form (form D1) can be obtained from your local Post
Office. Once you have a
valid provisional driving licence you can book your
theory test. Waiting times vary from region to
region, but the target is that 95 percent of theory test candidates receive an
appointment date within two weeks of their preferred
date.
Booking online :
To book a theory test online you will need:
- A valid UK driving licence
- A valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa
Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)
To book a theory test with an operator over the phone you will need:
- A valid UK driving licence
- A valid debit or credit card for payment
(Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are
accepted)
- You can book a theory test over the phone using the numbers below, from 8.00
am to 4.00 pm except on Bank Holidays.
Booking by post :
To book a theory test by post you will need an
application form. Application forms are available
online or on request from the Driving Standards
Agency (DSA) booking line. Payment can be made by
cheque or postal order, but cash payments are not
accepted.
Cancelling or rescheduling a test You can reschedule
or cancel your theory test over the phone via the
booking line or you can do it
online. Providing you give DSA three clear working
days notice you can:
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Q. How do I comment or complain if I have any problem? |
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Q. Do I need to bring any documents with me on the day
of the DSA theory test? |
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To take your
theory test you must bring with you a current GB or
Northern Ireland driving licence with provisional
entitlement for the category
of test you wish to take. Make sure you have signed
your licence and bring both parts of it. If you
don't bring both parts you may not be able
to take the theory test and you will lose your fee. |
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Q. What happens when I arrive at the DSA test centre? |
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On booking
your theory test you are advised to arrive 30
minutes before the scheduled time of your test.
On arrival at the centre you will be asked your
name and asked to hand over both parts of your
driving licence to allow invigilator staff to
check your driving licence entitlement. You will
be asked to store any belongings you have in a
locker. You can keep the key with you during the
test. All mobile phones must be switched off.
You
will be given a copy of the test procedures and
asked to take a few minutes to read over
them. The invigilator staff will then call you to
check in by signing a registration log and to
confirm your details. You will then be shown
into the testing room and allocated an
individual booth to sit your test. Check the
details on the screen and if they are correct
press Start on the screen to commence your test.
On completion of the test you are free to
quietly leave the testing room. Staff will ask
you to sign out and collect any belongings from
the locker. You can then take a seat in the
waiting room to await your results. Should you
have any problems while in the testing room,
raise your hand and a member of staff will come
to you. |
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Q. How much does the DSA theory test cost? |
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Q. How long does it take to get my test result? |
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Candidates receive their test
results, and feedback
information, within 30 minutes
of finishing the test. |
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Q. Do I get feedback on what I got wrong in the DSA test? |
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Yes. For the
multiple choice test candidates are given
feedback on the topic areas in which they
answered questions incorrectly, and the number
of questions they got wrong. For the hazard
perception element you will receive a summary of
how you scored in the 14 clips. You must pass
both parts of the theory test to get a pass
certificate. |
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Q. Can I take a paper-based DSA theory test? |
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No, however,
if you have special needs that mean you have
particular difficulties in using Visual Display
Units, tell the booking office when you book
your test as special arrangements may be made in
some cases. |
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Q. Do I need to be able to use computers while giving
the DSA theory test? |
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No. The
touch screen system has been carefully designed
to make sure it is easy to use. Candidates can
also work through a practice session for up to
15 minutes to get used to the system before
actually starting their test. For the hazard
perception test candidates click the mouse
button. At the start of this test there is a
tutorial video, which uses a sample test clip
and recorded explanation to explain how this
part of the test works. If anybody has any
difficulties in using the system, just raise
your hand and a member of staff will come to you
to help. |
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Q. How long do I get to take the DSA theory test? |
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For
categories A and B, in the Multiple Choice part
of the test, candidates have 57 minutes to
answer 50 questions. For categories C and D, in
the Multiple Choice part of the test, candidates
have 70 minutes to answer 60 questions. For all
test categories, the Hazard Perception part of
the test consists of 14 video clips each lasting
approximately 1 minute.
However, people with special needs can apply for
additional time for the multiple choice part of
their test. No additional time is available for
the hazard perception part of the test.
Candidates should ask for extra time when
booking their test. |
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Q. How many questions are there in the DSA theory test? |
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Currently
there are 50 questions in the multiple
choice part of the car and motorcycle test;
60 questions in the LGV and PCV test; and 14
video clips in the hazard perception part
for all categories of test. |
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Q. What is the pass mark for DSA theory test? |
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The pass
marks for the different categories of theory
test are as follows:
Categories A & B (Bike & Car)
Multiple Choice
43 of 50 / Hazard Perception 44 of 75
Categories C & D (LGV & PCV) Multiple Choice
51 of 60 / Hazard Perception 50 of 75 |
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Q. How do I answer questions / how do I mark the
answers? |
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For the
multiple choice element, one question at
a time is shown on screen. Underneath
the question the answer options are set
out. To select an answer you touch the
button on the screen beside the answer
you want. For the hazard perception
element you press the mouse button as
soon as you see a hazard developing.
A red flag appears at the bottom of the
screen each time you press the mouse
button to show your response has been
recorded. You do need to be careful
though. If you make lots of unnecessary
responses in a very short time, or
throughout the clip, you will score 0
for that clip. If this happens you will
see a warning message on screen at the
end of the clip, as follows, "You
responded to this clip in an
unacceptable manner. You will score zero
for this clip" |
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Q. Can I change an answer after I have selected one? |
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For
the multiple choice section you can
change your answer by touching the
screen again. You can not change your
responses to the hazard perception test. |
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Q. Can I skip questions I am not sure about, and go back
to them later? |
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Yes. You can mark the multiple
choice questions with a flag to help
you go back to them quickly. The
system also prompts you to go back
to questions that you have not
answered fully. The video clips in
the hazard perception test are
continuous. You can not go back or
change your response. |
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Q. Can other candidates see my results on the screen? |
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No, candidates sit in a private
booth. In any case, there are so
many different forms of the test
that candidates in adjacent
booths are probably sitting for
different tests. |
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Q. What happens if the computer system breaks down? |
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If there is a
short interruption during the test, candidates are
usually able to continue with the test. The answers
that have been given up to that point will not
normally be lost. If there is a longer interruption,
candidates are offered a new test free of charge. |
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Q. Does everyone have to take the theory test? |
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A
all candidates will have to pass the
relevant theory test before they can
take their practical test. If you
from EU or outside EU, you can also
contact the Driving Standards Agency
(DSA) who will tell you if you can
or cannot exchange your driving
licence. If you cannot exchange your
licence you will need to take and
pass a theory test before you can
book a practical driving test. Any
particular enquiries about whether a
theory test is required should be
addressed to -
DSA
Click here
for DSA contact details |
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Q. Can I take my DSA practical test first? |
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No. You have to
take and pass your theory test before a booking for
the practical test is accepted. |
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Q. Can people with special needs use the system? |
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The system
provides facilities for candidates with special
needs. This includes being able to listen to the
test read in English or 20 other languages through a
headset or, for deaf candidates, being able to watch
the test being signed in British Sign Language. |
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Q. I am colour blind. Can I still use the system? |
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Yes. The
system has been carefully designed so that
candidates who are colour blind can use it. |
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Q. I am dyslexic. Can I use the system? |
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The
system has the option for dyslexic
candidates to listen to the test being read
in English through a headset. People with
dyslexia can also apply to have up to double
the standard time for the Multiple Choice
part of the test. This accommodation must be
arranged at the time of booking. Supporting
documents such as a letter from your GP or
teacher will be required. |
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Q. Can I take the theory test in a language other than
English? |
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If
you are taking the car or motorcycle
theory test, you can listen through a
headset to the test being read out. This
includes 20 languages other than
English. These are: Bengali, Cantonese,
Urdu, Albanian, Hindi, Pushto, Arabic,
Kashmiri, Spanish, Kurdish, Tamil,
Mirpuri, Turkish, Dari, Polish, Farsi,
Portuguese, Gujarati, Punjabi and Welsh.
There is no additional charge for this
service. If you are taking the LGV or
PCV theory test, you may listen through
headphones to the test be read out in
Welsh. |
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Q. The test is not available in my language. Can I bring
a translator with me to translate the test? |
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Yes. For all test categories,
translators are permitted if the
test is not offered in the language
in which you wish to sit the test. A
translator supported theory testing
service is available. For further
information 0845 600 6700. Fees for
this service are the responsibility
of candidates. This accommodation
must be arranged at the time of
booking. |
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Q. I have hearing difficulties. Can I use the system? |
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A video of the test in British
Sign Language is available on
screen for candidates who are
deaf or have other hearing
difficulties. This accommodation
should be arranged at the time
of booking. |
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Q. I have light-sensitive epilepsy. How can I take a
theory test? |
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Special arrangements can be
made through the booking
office to enable you to take
your theory test. The actual
arrangements will depend on
your exact needs, but may
involve using a flicker-free
screen like those used in a
laptop. |
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Q. How do I book a theory test? |
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You can book
your theory test online at anytime on www.dsa.gov.uk.
You will need your Driving Licence Number and a
valid credit or debit card. If you book by this
method you will be given a date and time of your
theory test immediately.
Click here to
see DSA address and telephone numbers |
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Q. Where do I get an application form for the theory
test? |
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Application
forms are available from theory test and
practical test centres, Approved Driving
Instructors and also available on
www.dsa.gov.uk |
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Q. Where do I send my application form? |
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Q. What material can I revise from? |
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To prepare
properly for the theory test we strongly recommend
that you study the books from which the questions
are taken. These books, known as the source
material, consist of
- The Highway Code
- Know Your Traffic Signs and
- Latest Official DSA theory test question bank for
the vehicle category in which you are taking your
test.
www.theory-test.co.uk - You can
prepare for your driving theory test, you can access
official driving theory test questions and answers
online along with the interactive hazard perception
clips. |
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