The Theory Test Explained

Taking your theory test The theory test is made up of 2 parts. Part 1 is multiple choice and part 2 is a hazard perception. You must pass both parts to successfully complete the theory test. You cannot apply to take your practical driving test until you have completed your theory test. The multiple choice part is carried out using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.

Part one - multiple choice. At the start of your test you'll be given instructions on how the test works. You can choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. Once the practice session has finished the real test will begin. 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 require multiple answers. 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. Time allowed is 57 minutes and the passmark is 43 out of 50.

Part two - hazard perception. After a small break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works. The hazard perception part is also carried out on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be shown a series of video clips 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. To achieve a high score you'll need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five. 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.