The Theory Test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. Once you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test.

What does the test cover? The theory test consists of a multiple choice element and a hazard perception element.

On the multiple choice element you will cover. Alertness, Attitude, Safety and Your Vehicle, Safety Margins, Hazard Awareness, Vulnerable Road Users, Other Types of Vehicle, Vehicle Handling, Motorway Rules, Rules of the Road, Road & Traffic Signs, Documents, Accidents, and Vehicle Loading. The hazard perception element tests your ability to look at and understand road scenes and to recognize possible traffic hazards as they develop.

In the multiple choice element there are 50 questions and you have 57 minutes to answer them.

The pass mark is 43 correct out of 50.

In the hazard perception element there are 14 video clips and 15 scorable developing hazards (one of the clips contains two developing hazards to watch out for). Each video clip lasts 1 minute and you only get to view it once. A developing hazard is classed as something which requires the driver to either change speed, direction or stop.

You are marked on how quickly you spot the developing hazards, 0 (too soon), 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 (too late).

When you take the two part theory test, everyone in the room may have a different test. So don't try to ask anyone else the answers!

The Driving Standards Agency has compiled about 900 different questions for the multiple choice element - your test will be made up from 50 of them. For the hazard perception element, the Driving Standards Agency has taken 600 video clips of actual local and national road scenes from which you will be tested on just 14.

If you have any special needs or difficulties with English then help is available. You can apply for additional time when booking the test. You also can choose to listen to the text being read in English through a headset which should help those with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

Fifteen other languages are available including Welsh, Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, Turkish, Arabic, Tamil, Portuguese, Farsi, Albanian, Spanish and Kurdish.

A video of the test in British Sign Language is also available on screen for candidates who are deaf or have other hearing difficulties.

You will be given your results to the hazard perception test and the multiple choice test before you leave the test centre. REMEMBER - You need to have passed both tests on the same day to receive your theory pass certificate.
Your results will include feedback about any topic areas in which you answered questions and hazards incorrectly.

Learning resources.

Here is a guide to some of the most comprehensive learning material when completing your theory and hazard perception tests.

Books.

The Highway Code is essential reading for any driver. It explains the rules of the road and gives good advice about best driving practices.

Know Your Traffic Signs, explains most signs.

The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers, contain all the questions in the multiple choice part of the theory test, together with the answers and explanations.

Driving The Essential Skills The official guide to safer driving. Fully illustrated and written in a clear and easy to understand style by the DSA. Updated to take account of the latest changes in legislation, Driver responsibility, attitude and the law, Motorway, night-time, all-weather and defensive driving techniques, eco-safe driving and avoiding congestion.

The Official DSA Guide to Learning to Drive Gives details of the 24 key skills shown in the Driver's Record and explains the standards needed to achieve Level 5 on this Record (that is, the standard needed to pass the practical driving test).

Helping Learners to Practice The official DSA guide is based on the same 24 key skills, giving general advice and suggestions for the person who is helping the learner to practice, as well as specific advice for each of the key skills.

Other media.

Driving Test Success ALL TESTS PC DVD-ROM The UK's Best Selling Driving Test Software - includes Theory Test, Hazard Perception Test, Practical Test, Show Me Tell Me, Highway Code and Mock Driving Test.

The Complete Official Learner Driver Pack (Electronic Edition) The Theory Test for Car Drivers CD, RoadSense Hazard Perception DVD, Practical Driving Test DVD.

DS Lite Theory Test in August this year, Nintendo will release a DSA endorsed theory revision package for the DS Lite, full theory questions, Highway Code, games, challenges, graphs and tests based on the real theory test.

The Practical Driving Test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

Can operate a car on your own in competent and safe manner; know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving.

What will the test include?
The test will include an eyesight test (if you fail this, your test will not continue). 

After the eyesight test you will be asked to answer two show me tell me questions. (See Learning Zone sub menu.) If you answer one or both questions incorrectly your will incur a minor fault.

You will then 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,

reverse parking,

and bay parking.

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise. This only happens in 1 in 3 tests. So you may have an extra maneuver to do, however you can only have one of the parking maneuvers, bay or reverse, to do. Not both.

A standard driving test takes about 35-45 minutes.

What happens during the test?
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out the set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). 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 or pedestrians your test will be stopped. The examiner will tell you of the seriousness of your fault, ask you to switch off the engine and then walk back to the test centre. You may accompany them, lock the car or remain with the car. However if you decide to stay with the car remember you cannot drive it until your instructor arrives back to you. Driving your own car unsupervised is an offence, likewise driving your instructors car also includes taking without permission. Both are serious offences. 

From the 10th September 2008 part of the debrief with an examiner will be about "eco driving", it will be marked on your test but won't be marked toward a fail if you don't do it. What the examiner may say is whether your driving is within the eco criteria; planning the drive to save time, fuel and money, early gentle braking allowing the engine to do some work so saving brake pads/shoes from being worn, gentle acceleration to speed, no harsh screaming engines and using the correct gear at the correct speed at the correct time for the road, traffic & weather conditions.

You are allowed to take someone with you on the test; this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

Driving test standards.

All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test. 

Weather conditions/ mechanical problems etc
DSA do not conduct tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate, the examiner and the public. The DSA will arrange another appointment at no further cost, but compensation is not payable.

Candidates should call the telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to check whether their test will go ahead before your test begins.

If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to you or your vehicle (if you take your own), you will have to book another test at your own cost. If this is due to your instructors car developing a fault your instructor will normally pay for your next test.

Other factors.

One of the main problems candidates face when sitting the practical test is their nerves. This is only a test of your driving ability, the examiner is only there to observe you and your driving not to intimidate or pass judgment on you. They are not there to make you fail. During the test the examiner will give you directional instructions you cannot fail for failing to follow these directions providing what you do is correct and follows road markings, signs etc.

Bearing the above in mind please try to stay as relaxed and calm as possible. With the right instruction and self belief you can pass.

To book your test you can follow these links:

https://pt.dsa.gov.uk/tests/tests_E/pt/data_processing.asp 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest or call 0300 200 1122

PASS PLUS is a training scheme for new drivers. It's much more than just a few extra lessons. This specially designed course by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry.

PASS PLUS helps you, gain valuable driving experience safely you will be taught how to deal with a wide range of road and traffic situations, many of which you probably won't have faced before build on your existing skills and knowledge it can take years to become a skilled driver.

PASS PLUS helps get you there by speeding up the learning process under expert tuition and helps you reduce your risk of being in a road crash. The course will help boost your awareness of all kinds of hazards and help you learn how to anticipate, plan for and deal with them safely.

Fees for the PASS PLUS course will be £135 for the 6 hour course. If more sessions are needed for you to successfully complete the course, this may add to the cost.

When you have successfully completed the course, you are advised to check available discounts offered by the insurance companies taking part in the scheme. The amount you save will depend on the company you choose, you may even save more than you paid for the course, however PASS PLUS is not just about cheap insurance, it's about taking extra training to improve your driving ability.

Boost your confidence if you feel nervous driving on your own, the PASS PLUS training can help you become more confident on the roads give peace of mind to your loved ones.

PASS PLUS consists of six practical modules which cover driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways.

You can take it at any time within the first 12 month of passing your test.

There is no test at the end of it - your driving will be continually assessed and you must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an achieved or exceeded standard: achieved - successfully reached the standard required for each of the competencies. Exceeded - exceeds the required standard for each of the competencies

Don't worry if you haven't got a car at the moment, you may be able to defer the discount for up to two years. Again, check with your insurance company.