To get your full driving licence you need to
pass two tests, online theory test and
practical test.
Online theory test-
The online theory test is made up of
two parts; the multiple choice part and the
hazard perception part. If you pass one part
and fail the other you'll fail the whole
online test, and you'll need to take both
parts again. Once you have passed the online
theory test you can then apply to take your
driving practical test- Car practical test, motorcycle practical test.
The theory test is a computer-based test at
various tests centres around the country.
This section is designed to test your
understanding of the theory behind driving.
Before the driving theory test starts you'll
be given instructions on how the test works.
You can also 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.
You have 57 minutes to complete the test.
There is a 15-minute practice session you
can work through before starting the tests.
The questions in each multiple choice test
vary according to the category of vehicle
you're hoping to obtain a licence for, i.e.
a motorcycle theory test will contain
specific questions that don't appear in any
other test.
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.
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.
For car and motorbike theory test you'll be asked
randomly selected 45
multiple-choice questions and 5 marks
case study style questions in 57 minutes and
you need to get at least 43 right to pass.
For lorries and buses you'll be asked 60
questions in 70 minutes and the pass mark is
51 out of 60.
This forms a second section of the
online theory test and must be
passed at the same time.
This section is designed to tests your
awareness of
potential hazards whilst driving.
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 14
video clips each about a minute long,
which feature every day road scenes. In
each clip there'll be at least one
developing hazard, but one of the clips
will feature two developing hazards.
The videos feature various types of
hazard, such as road conditions,
vehicles and pedestrians.
The earlier you spot a hazard developing
that may require the driver to take some
action, the higher the score.
There are 15 scoreable hazards in the
tests and candidates can score up to 5
points on each hazard.
Unlike
multiple choice questions, for the
hazard perception test there are no
separate versions for different vehicles
e.g. car, bike, heavy vehicle etc, each
vehicle category takes the same test,
however the pass mark is different for
different categories of tests.
You won't be able to review your answers
to the hazard perception test; as on the
road, you'll only have one chance to
respond to the developing hazard.
The pass mark for the car and motorcycle
hazard perception part of the theory
test is 44 out of 75. For lorries and
buses the pass mark is 50 out of 75.
Actual Online Theory Test Screen
Actual
Online Hazard Perception Test Screen
At the end of the online test
At the end of the
hazard perception part of the theory test
you'll be invited to answer a number of customer
survey questions.
You don't have to answer the questions if you
don't want to, and any information given is
anonymous and confidential. The survey questions
don't affect the result of the test.
When you have finished the test you may leave
the examination room. Once you have left the
room, you'll not be allowed to enter it again.
You'll then be given your result by the test
centre staff.
Crown copyright material has been reproduced by permission of the Driving Standards Agency which does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the reproduction.
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Rules and regulations - Latest 2007 
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