Theory test preparation
Before you can take your practical driving test, you need to prepare for and pass your theory test.
The car theory test costs £23. There are two parts to the test:
Part 1: Multiple choice
Part 2: Hazard perception
It’s vital to prepare for your theory test: there’s a lot to learn about the rules of the road.
Part 1: Multiple choice
About the test
- You have 57 minutes
- Answer 50 questions
- 47 based on 14 topics
- 3 based on 1 video clip
- Score at least 43 out of 50 to pass
How to prepare
eLearning
Learn online with your preferred device and track your learning progress.
- study the 14 key topic areas
- practice questions focused on each topic, and 9 multiple choice video clips
- connect your learning progress with your driving instructor or parents
- test yourself with our official "test view" option.
Our eLearning will measure your test readiness based on your progress, so you can be confident you're fully prepared on the day of your test.
Buy: Official DVSA Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers eLearning
Books
The questions in the multiple choice test are taken from 3 books:
Buy: Official Highway Code
Buy: Official DVSA Guide to Driving - the essential skills
Buy: Know your Traffic Signs
Use all these books when you’re preparing for the test. There are lots of products available that contain practice questions, but these are different from the questions in the actual test. It’s really important that you do not just learn the answers without understanding fully why they’re correct.
Using official publications will help you get the most out of your preparation. You can find these in the Safe Driving for Life shop.
Free test resources for multiple choice
Try: Free practice theory test
Try: Free practice video clips
Extra learning tips
There are various methods you can use to help you learn what you’ll need to know for your test. Here are a few ideas
- Link what you’re learning to your own experiences: for example, think about where you’ve seen an example of a road sign and use this to help you remember what the sign means.
- Use mnemonics: these are sayings or stories that help you remember something – for example, ‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’ reminds you of the colours of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
- Practise the question formats: as well as knowing all the information, you’ll also need to know how the questions are asked in the test. Use the practice test and the self-assessment questions in The Official DVSA Theory Test for Car Drivers.
Buy: Official DVSA Theory Test for Car Drivers
- Plan your study: set yourself some timelines and targets. This will help you to see your progress and make sure you've not missed anything. Do your studying somewhere you will not be disturbed and at a time when you’re fully awake.
- Get help: get friends, family, your driving instructor or your colleagues from work to ask you questions and share their driving experiences. If you subscribe to eLearning, link with your instructor or family to get extra help.
Part 2: Hazard perception
About this test
Watch this short video to understand how the test works:
In the test, you’ll see 14 film clips, each shown from a driver’s point of view. You’ll need to spot the developing hazard in each film: this is something that might need you, as the driver, to take some action such as changing speed or direction. For example, a car pulling in to the side of the road ahead of you is a developing hazard because you may need to slow down and manoeuvre around it or stop.
How to practise
The hazard perception test checks you can recognise and respond to hazards that could happen while you’re driving. Being out on the road with your instructor will help you prepare for this part.
eLearning subscription
Use The Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception eLearning subscription to share your online progress with your instructor:
Buy: Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception eLearning
Free test resources
