Driving Test Information

Theory Test
The Theory Test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button. You need to pass both parts to pass the Theory Test. If you pass one part and fail the other you will fail the whole test and you will need to take both parts again.

The multiple choice test questions are based on the Highway Code and come from a questions bank of around 1200 questions. You will be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you will 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 will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard. The pass mark for the car hazard perception part of the Theory Test is 44 out of 75.

Practical Test
The practical driving test is straight forward and has been designed to see if you can drive safely, know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving ability. Before the test begins you will be asked 2 show and tell questions by the Driving Instructor from a list of 19 questions.

The test will include an eyesight test (if you fail this, your test will not continue). After the eyesight test you will be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from: reversing around a corner, turning in the road or reverse parking. You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise, this happens with 1 in every 3 tests. A standard driving test takes about 40 minutes.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test. However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your Examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.