The theory test

The theory test checks that you know the rules of the road and can spot hazards. You must pass it before you can book your driving test.

Booking

You need a provisional licence to book your theory test on gov.uk. Have your UK driving licence number, your email address and a credit or debit card ready.

You can take the test from your 17th birthday. If you get, or have applied for, the higher rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you can take it from your 16th birthday.

The test has two parts. You book and take them as a single test, and you must pass both.

Part 1: multiple-choice questions

You have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions. Before you start, you get instructions and a practice question.

• A question appears with several answers, and you choose the right one.
• Three questions are about a short, silent video of a normal driving situation, which you can watch as often as you like.
• You can flag questions to come back to, and change any answer before you finish.

You need 43 out of 50 to pass. You don’t have to use all 57 minutes. Afterwards, you can take a break of up to 3 minutes before part 2.

Part 2: hazard perception

You watch 14 video clips of everyday road scenes. Each clip has at least one “developing hazard”, and one clip has two.

A developing hazard is something that would make you act, like changing speed or direction. For example, a parked car isn’t a developing hazard. But if its right indicator starts flashing and it begins to pull out, you’d need to slow down, so now it is.

• You score up to 5 points per hazard. The sooner you click once it starts to develop, the higher your score.
• You don’t lose points for a wrong click, but you’ll score nothing if you click continuously or in a pattern.
• You only get one go at each clip.

You need 44 out of 75 to pass.

On the day

• Arrive 15 minutes early. If you’re late, your test is cancelled and you lose your money.
• Bring your UK photocard driving licence. Without the right ID, your test is cancelled and you don’t get your money back.
• Turn off your phone, smartwatch and fitness tracker before you go in. Your belongings go in a locker.
• Staff will check your identity and do a security check, including a handheld metal detector.
• There’s no waiting area for anyone who comes with you.

Your result

You get your result at the test centre.

If you pass, you get a letter with a pass certificate number. You need it to book your driving test. It lasts 2 years, so you must pass your driving test in that time or take the theory test again.

If you fail, the letter tells you which parts to work on. You must book and take the full test again, even if you passed one part, and you have to wait at least 3 working days.

How to revise

The multiple-choice questions are based on three books: The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and Driving: the essential skills.

gov.uk links to free practice tests for both parts, including 3 free hazard perception clips. The practice questions aren’t used in the real test, but they cover the same topics.