Theory test: booking and taking your test
When you’re ready to take your theory test, book your test at a local test centre using the guide below. Remember, you must pass both parts of your theory test before you can take your practical test.
The PCV multiple choice test costs £26 and the hazard perception test costs £11. For full details of the theory test costs, visit GOV.UK. It does not matter which part you take first – the multiple choice part or the hazard perception test.
Booking your theory test
It’s best to book your test using the official site, GOV.UK. If you use an unofficial site, you might pay more than you need to or you may not get a booking at all.
If you’ve already used an unofficial booking website, you might have 7 working days to cancel your order and get all your money back but this will depend on the terms and conditions of the website you used.
You can find your nearest test centre at GOV.UK.
You can also use GOV.UK if you need to change the test date or centre or cancel your test.
If you have special needs, such as hearing or reading difficulties, you might be able to get extra help. Visit GOV.UK to find out about getting help with the theory test.
What happens on the day of the test?
Watch the DVSA’s guide to the theory test for a handy guide to what happens at the multiple choice and hazard perception tests.
The multiple choice test
Before you start the multiple choice test, you can have a practice session of up to 15 minutes to get used to the format of the test.
In the test there are 100 questions: and you’ll need to get at least 85 correct to pass. You’ll have 115 minutes for this part of the test.
The multiple choice questions appear on screen and you’ll use the mouse to choose the correct answer. For some questions, you’ll need to select more than one correct answer – there’ll be a message if you do not choose enough answers.
If you are not sure about any of the questions, you can ‘flag’ them and come back to them later.
The hazard perception test
In this test you’ll be shown 19 videos in which there are 20 hazards to spot. You’ll need to click the mouse when you see a developing hazard (something that would need you, the driver, to take some action such as changing speed or direction): the sooner you spot the hazard, the more points you’ll score. You can score up to 5 points for each hazard. You’ll need to score at least 67 out of 100 points. Each film shows one hazard apart from one film, which has two.
If you click the mouse too much or if you click in a pattern, you’ll be given a warning message and you’ll score no points for that film.
Getting your results
You’ll be given your results shortly after you’ve finished the test. When you’ve passed both parts of the theory test, you’ll be given a letter with your pass certificate number on it. Make sure that you keep this safe because you’ll need the number when you book your practical test.
If you lose the letter, you can find a lost pass certificate number on GOV.UK.
You’ll also need to pass a case study test if you’re going to be driving for a living. Find out more about the case study test on the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence page.
Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years. If you do not pass your practical test in that time you’ll have to take the theory test again before you can take the practical test.
If you do not pass the theory test, you’ll need to wait at least 3 working days before you can retake it. Use this time to do some more preparation.