From January 2012, new theory tests will be introduced using questions and answers that the public will not have had access to, making any previous theory test Q&A banks redundant.
Since theory tests began in 1996, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published the questions and answers from the question banks for all categories of tests for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses.
However, DSA announced last November that it was to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers, with unpublished questions being used from January 2012.

After that date, the questions a candidate will be asked on test will not be exactly the same as those in their learning materials. So in short - Questions will be drawn from new ‘live’ theory test question banks, which will not be published.

DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said:
'The reason behind the move is to stop candidates from simply memorising theory test questions and answers and learning by rote. The new books contain questions and answers for revision and also explain the theory behind each question.
This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, re-worded live questions used in the actual test.'

The idea is that driving test candidates need to learn and understand the theory and gain the appropriate knowledge required to be a safe driver on the road and withdrawing access to the questions and answers bank will stop people from just memorising just to pass the theory test which is very common with learner drivers. But we would like to assure you that the tests will not be harder, but will support DSA’s aims to move candidates away from learning questions and answers by rote and towards their gaining better knowledge and understanding of driving and riding theory.

You would need to study these practice, non-live theory test questions for revision purposes (the Official Revision Question Banks). These questions are to test your knowledge and understanding of the source material.

We wish you all the best for your DSA test.


Latest new from DSA (12th Dec 2011)

Changes to the theory test: the facts -
From 23 January 2012 the theory test will be made up of multiple-choice questions which are no longer published in learning materials. The reason behind the move is to stop candidates from simply memorising theory test questions and answers and learning by rote.

Revision materials still available
New official driving and riding theory books were published in September 2011 to help candidates prepare for the test and for life on the road.

This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, reworded live questions used in the actual test.

No changes to the format of the test -
No changes are being made to the format of the theory test. It will still be made up of a multiple-choice part and a hazard perception part.

The time allowed and the pass marks will stay the same.