Study from a bank of 2500+ DVSA theory test revision questions, up-to-date for 2024. Take full-length tests and track your progress.
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You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple choice driving theory test questions. At least 43 out of 50 questions must be answered correctly in order to pass the test. Answers may be reviewed after each question or you can wait until the end of the test for your final score. Good luck!
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The driving test comprises two parts – the theory test and the practical driving test. The theory test was introduced by the government in order to improve understanding of safe driving. Its role is to establish if you’ve understood the rules of the road and have a thorough knowledge of driving.
The theory test itself is made of two parts. The first part consists of 50 multiple-choice questions which tests your knowledge of driving practices. The second part is a video-based hazard perception test which assesses your ability to respond to hazardous situations on the road. Both parts are taken on the same day.
The driving theory test is administered by the DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency), a government agency that provides driver education and sets the theory and practical tests for cars and other vehicles. The DVSA is different to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) which is responsible for keeping a database of drivers and vehicles in the UK and issuing licences. Both of these organisations are governed by the Department of Transport.
Please note, if you’re a resident of the Republic of Ireland you will need to sit the Irish theory test.
You can do your theory test from the age of 17 onwards. You must have a provisional licence to take the test.
Although it is possible to sit the theory test before having any practical driving experience, it is advised that you start your practical lessons first. The content you need to cover for the theory test will make more sense after you have some experience on the road.
No. You must sit and pass your theory test before you’re able to do your practical test. The DVSA states that you must take your theory test certificate to the practical test.
| Vehicle | Multiple choice pass mark | Hazard perception pass mark |
|---|---|---|
| Car | 43/50 | 44/75 (14 clips) |
| Motorcycle | 43/50 | 44/75 (14 clips) |
| LGV | 85/100 | 67/100 (19 clips) |
| PCV | 85/100 | 67/100 (19 clips) |
The whole theory test for car and motorcycle candidates will take about an hour and a half to complete. This consists of:
The test is longer for HGV/LGV and PCV candidates and will take about two and a half hours to finish:
There are 50 questions for driving theory test and motorcycle theory test candidates.
LGV and PCV drivers must attempt 100 questions.
You will need 43/50 if you’re taking a car or motorcycle theory test.
LGV and PCV candidates need to score 85/100 to pass.
If you’re a car or motorcycle theory test candidate, you will have 57 minutes to complete the test.
LGV and PCV candidates have up to 1 hour 55 minutes to finish.
All of the questions will have four answers to choose from listed after the question. One of these is correct and the other three are incorrect. A few years ago, some of the questions may have had more than four options to choose from with several possible correct answers. This has since been changed by the DVSA.
You will be asked knowledge-based questions from a variety of different categories. For car drivers, there are 14 categories which encompass about 900 questions, 50 of which will be randomly chosen to appear in your test. These categories include:
These categories will be slightly different for motorcycle, LGV and PCV candidates. Our practice material covers all of the questions and categories for the different types of vehicles.
The last five questions of this part of the test will be centred on a case study. This case study will test your understanding and comprehension of a real-life driving scenario.
The case study will appear on the left-hand side of the screen and the accompanying questions will appear on the right side. The case study may have a picture or diagram to complement the text. You will have the opportunity to re-read the case study as you respond to each of the questions.
Below is an example of the type of case study you will encounter during your test:
What does the computer screen look like?Below is an example of how a multiple-choice question will appear during your test:
Keep in mind the following features:
All of our practice theory tests come with a “Test View” function which resembles the real test.
Before the start of the test, you will be given a 15-minute optional practice session allowing you to familiarise yourself with the format of the test and the navigation system. You will be given 5 practice questions to do. During this period, you may seek assistance from members of staff at the driving theory test centre if need be.
The hazard perception test is the second part of the theory test and is a series of CGI video clips with the aim of assessing your ability to recognize developing hazards on the road. The test demonstrates your knowledge of potential risks associated with driving. This includes risks to you as a driver, risks to your passengers and risks to other road users.
The test was introduced by the DVSA in 2002 with the aim of ensuring that new drivers have a certain level of hazard awareness before taking to the roads. Newly qualified drivers are more likely to be involved in road traffic collisions in comparison to their more experienced counterparts, as a result of a lack of hazard awareness. In fact, learner drivers and new drivers are up to two seconds slower at identifying hazards than more experienced drivers. This is partly because they spend more time thinking about using the car’s controls and less time focusing on what’s going on around them. Studies have shown that the hazard perception test has successfully helped to reduce the number of accidents in the first year of driving.
Read more about the hazard perception test and how it works on our hazard perception test page. Consider signing up for an account for full access to our hazard perception video library.
The best way to prepare for the multiple-choice part of the theory test is to practice our theory test revision questions and answers. The mock tests featured on our website encompass everything you will need to know for your test. We have also put together mock tests that contain questions specific to each of the 14 driving theory test categories. Keep attempting these mock tests until you gain a good understanding of the questions and are able to pass each time.
As well as theorytest.org.uk, there are other valuable resources which will aid you in your theory test revision. These are:
You should give yourself plenty of time to study and familiarise yourself with the driving theory test questions and answers before booking your theory test. There is a large amount to cover so ideally you will want to do small amounts over a longer space of time rather than cram it in at the last minute. Although people’s learning abilities vary, you should start your preparation at least a few weeks before you book your test. Remember, if there’s anything you’re unsure about, ask your driving instructor.
You don’t need to learn the entire bank of practice questions and answers. In fact, it would be quite hard to learn them all – there are over 900. The key is to understand the basics of driving and safety and apply this knowledge to the questions you come across. You will find that you can work out the vast majority of them. Many can also be answered by just applying a little common sense. There are some questions, however, which you will need to memorise. Questions relating to stopping distances are one such example.
This is a fairly common question. The national pass rate is about 50% which would suggest that the driving theory test is quite difficult. You can increase your chances of passing by preparing and revising sufficiently. The hazard perception test is often considered the more difficult of the two parts of the theory test but despite this, preparation for this section is oftentimes overlooked, leading to people failing the section and failing the theory test as a whole. Remember, you need to pass both parts of the theory test so you should spend generous amounts of time preparing for them both.
The hazard perception test is harder to prepare for than the multiple-choice section because you won’t be able to practice with the real video clips that will be used during your test. This is because the whole idea of the hazard perception element of the theory test is to see how fast you can identify and react to hazards you haven’t seen before. If you have already seen the videos and identified the hazards beforehand, the test won’t be of much use. With that being said, we have received reports of individuals coming across some of the videos we have in our hazard perception video library in their actual tests.
The best way to prepare for the hazard perception test is to practice with as many video clips as possible. We have a number of CGI clips and real-life videos in our library which will help you to prepare sufficiently. Your driving instructor should also be able to help you learn hazard perception skills and can give you plenty of practice in what to look out for when driving, how to anticipate hazards and what action to take when having to deal with different types of hazards. For this reason, it is important that you take driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor from a reputable driving school.
No. The test hasn’t been designed to catch you out. Just make sure you read the question properly and select the most logical answer.
You can book your driving theory test at the government website www.gov.uk/book-theory-test. Before you start you will need the following to hand:
You should be able to get a test time and date in the following two weeks. You should receive an e-mail confirming the details of your booking shortly after making your application along with a booking reference number.
Warning: Beware of unofficial driving theory test booking websites. Ensure the website you’re using has .gov.uk in the web address.
If you would prefer to book by phone, the number to call is 0300 200 1122. Phone lines are open from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Your appointment letter should arrive in the post within 10 days of making the booking.
Car and motorcycle theory tests cost £23.
LGV and PCV theory tests cost £26 for the multiple-choice section, £11 for the hazard perception test and £23 for the case studies section.
Candidates can only take the test in English or Welsh. Foreign language voiceovers or interpreters cannot be used.
Before April 2014, candidates were able to sit the theory test in 21 different languages including Arabic and Urdu.
If you’re a Northern Ireland resident click here for more details.
There are over 150 theory test centres in England, Scotland and Wales, and six in Northern Ireland. Find out what your nearest theory test centre is by asking your driving instructor or by entering your post code here.
When booking your test, you will be able to select a time and a date of your choosing. Most theory test centres are open on weekdays and some also operate on evenings and Saturdays.
If you have a reading difficulty such as dyslexia, a disability or a health condition, you need to contact the DVSA before booking your test to discuss your options. See the government website for more details.
If you have booked online, you should receive an e-mail shortly after scheduling the test. Check your spam folder if you can’t see a confirmation e-mail in your inbox. If you’ve booked over the phone, your confirmation letter should be within you within 10 days. Contact the DVSA customer service number on 0300 200 1122 if you haven’t received confirmation of your test.
You can change your driving theory test appointment online at https://www.gov.uk/change-theory-test. You can use this service to find an earlier date, move your appointment to a later date or change your test centre. Alternatively, call DVSA customer support on 0300 200 1122 from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Changes must be made at least 3 clear working days before your test date or you’ll have to make another payment. Sundays and public holidays aren’t considered working days.
Changes made at short notice are only permitted in the following scenarios:
In these instances, you may rebook your test at no extra charge although you won’t be issued with a refund.
If you want to cancel your theory test appointment altogether you can do so online at https://www.gov.uk/cancel-theory-test. Alternatively, call DVSA customer support on 0300 200 1122 from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Cancellations must be made at least 3 clear working days before the date of the test in order to receive a full refund. Sundays and public holidays aren’t considered working days.
You should arrive at the test centre at least 15 minutes before your theory test is due to begin. This will give you enough time to sign in and take your seat.
You must take your photocard provisional driving licence with you. You will need to give this to a member of staff so they can sign you in.
After you have signed in, you’ll be given access to a locker where you can store your mobile phone (which must be switched off) and other belongings. You will then be shown a document stating the rules and regulations of the test. Once you’ve read and understood this, you’ll give it back to a member of staff. You will then be ushered to the exam room where your provisional licence will be checked by the administrator before you can take a seat at a computer that has been assigned to you.
Once you’re at your desk, your computer will be turned on and you will be logged in. The computer is like any other computer and is easy to use. Before the start of the test, there is an optional 15-minute practice session. You will be given 5 practice questions to complete. You’re advised to make use of this practice session to get used to your environment, the computer and the navigation system.
If you’re a car or motorcycle candidate, you will be at the theory test centre for about two hours in total. You will spend:
Once you have completed the hazard perception test, you will need to get up and go to the reception desk. You will be asked to hand over your photocard provisional licence so your results can be retrieved. You should receive your result within 10 minutes.
If you pass your test, congratulations! You will receive a theory test certificate from the test centre. You will need this to book your practical driving test.
The theory test certificate lasts for two years from the date of issue. You need to book and pass your practical driving test within these two years. If you haven’t passed your driving test in this period of time, you will have to book and take your driving theory test again.
If you failed your theory test, don’t get too disheartened about it! You now know what to expect so you should be able to pass next time. Make sure you prepare effectively for your next attempt, especially in those areas in which you might have struggled. You will need to wait three working days before you can resit the theory test.
You need your theory test pass certificate number to book your driving test or to change your driving test appointment. If you’ve lost your theory test certificate, you can retrieve your certificate number and apply for a replacement letter from the government website. You’ll need your driving licence number to hand.
