The Theory Test

Since 14 November 2002 you would have been asked to answer 35 multiple choice questions, followed by a test of your hazard perception skills. From 3 September 2007 the number of multiple choice questions for car and motorcycle theory tests will increase from 35 to 50. The pass mark will be 43 out of 50. You will need to pass both parts of the theory test at the same sitting to obtain your theory test pass certificate.

Why has the test changed?

Each year around 3,400 people are killed on Britain's roads. New drivers take much longer to recognise hazardous situations than more experienced drivers, and many driving test candidates have poor scanning and anticipation skills. These skills are vital for safe driving. By introducing the new hazard perception part to the test, we hope to encourage more drivers to develop hazard perception skills while they are still learning to drive.

What is the multiple choice part of the test?

This part consists of 50 multiple choice questions covering a wide range of driving topics. By touching the screen, you select an answer, or answers, from the selection shown. To pass you must answer 43 or more questions correctly in 40 minutes. You have the option of working through a practice session lasting up to 15 minutes to get used to the system before starting the actual test.

How does the hazard perception work?

After a break of up to three minutes, the hazard perception part will start. You will be shown a tutorial video first. This uses sample footage with a sound track (headphones supplied), which will explain how to complete this part of the test. You may repeat the tutorial once more if you wish. The test consists of 14 video clips, each lasting about one minute. The clips feature various types of hazards, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. You should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The earlier the developing hazard is spotted, and a response made, the higher the score. Candidates can score up to five marks on each hazard and the test contains 15 scoreable hazards.

The pass mark for this part of the test is 44 out of 75 for car drivers and motorcycle riders.

Those taking LGV or PCV (lorry or bus) tests must score at least 50 out of 75.
Candidates are given their results when they have finished both parts of the test and have returned to the waiting room.

How do candidates with special needs?

Candidates who have special needs, which are not met by any of the facilities listed below, may apply to have longer than the standard time of 40 minutes to take the multiple-choice part. Such requests should be made when booking the test.

Facilities for candidates with special needs include:

• For car and motorcycle candidates, using a headset to listen to the test being read in one of 20 other languages. This will help candidates who do not understand or read English, or who wish to take the test in their first language. These languages are Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kurdish, Mirpuri, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Pushto, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.

• Large goods vehicle drivers and passenger carrying vehicle drivers can use a headset to listen to the test being read in English and Welsh.

• For all candidates, using a headset to listen to the test being read in English. This helps those with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

• An on-screen video of the test being signed in British Sign Language for car and motorcycle candidates who are deaf or have other hearing difficulties.

Preparing for the new theory test

It is strongly recommended that all candidates prepare thoroughly for the test. Suggested reading matter includes 'The Highway Code' and 'Know Your Traffic Signs'. In addition to this there are official theory test books and CD-Roms containing the multiple choice questions. The CD-Roms show screens similar to those used in the multiple choice part of the test and information about hazard perception. There is also a DVD or video and booklet package called 'RoadSense', which is the official guide to hazard perception for all drivers and riders. Being a safe driver with good hazard perception skills means being able to use speed correctly, keeping the correct distance between yourself and other road users, scanning the road effectively, anticipating and planning for potential hazards. All these skills can be taught effectively. You should prepare with a professional instructor as part of a structured programme of on-road tuition, covering the recommended syllabus.

Booking your theory test

Master Card, Visa, Switch, Delta, Solo and Electron are accepted.

Application forms are available from test centres, Approved Driving Instructors or the booking number opposite. Forms need to be sent with a cheque, postal order or credit or debit card details. Theory tests can be taken in Northern Ireland at the following locations: Belfast; Ballymena; Londonderry; Newry; Omagh and Portadown. The current price is £28.50 and you can book a test at any of these centres by phoning 0845 600 6700, making sure you have your driver number and credit/debit card details to hand. Tests taken in other parts of the U.K. are acceptable in Northern Ireland and vice versa.

www.dsa.gov.uk
www.motoring.gov.uk
Tel: 0870 01 01 372

The UK driving test

What to bring with you

On the day of your test it is important that you bring with you the following, the test will not take place and your fee will be lost if you do not do so:

• The appointment card.
• Your signed provisional driving licence.
• Your Theory test certificate

In addition to the above if your provisional licence is not of the photo card type you will also need to supply some form of photographic evidence that bears your signature. The following are acceptable:

• Current signed passport (Doesn't have to be British)
• Work I.D. card (must have photo and Signature)
• Trade union or students' union card (must have photo and Signature)
• School bus pass (must have photo and Signature)
• Cheque card or credit card (must have photo and Signature)

If you don't have any of these you can bring a photo of yourself together with a statement that it's a true likeness of you. This should be signed by any of the following:

• Approved Driving Instructor
• CBT certified instructor
• Member of Parliament
• Medical practitioner
• Local Councillor
• Qualified teacher
• Justice of the Peace
• Civil servant
• Police Officer
• Bank official
• Minister of religion
• Barrister or Solicitor
• Commissioned Officer in Her Majesty's Forces

If you are taking a motorcycle test, your valid CBT certificate

Arrival at the Test Centre

As each examiner works to a tight schedule it is important that you arrive in good time. If you arrive late then the test cannot be carried out and you will lose your fee. When it is time the Examiner will call out your name and you will be asked to complete an insurance declaration. This gives the Examiner a chance to check your signature against your provisional driving licence. You will be asked to produce your photographic identity and you will also be asked whether you suffer from any physical disability that has not been declared on your application form. This is done to get an information update, since the form may have been filled in some months earlier.

With this done you will asked to lead the way to your car and on the way there the Examiner should introduce himself. At the Parking area the Examiner will firstly check your eyesight by selecting a vehicle at random and asking you to read the number plate. The distance is the statutory 20.5 metres (or 67 feet) and if you get this wrong twice you will fail the test. You can, wear glasses when taking the eyesight test. If you do, then you must wear the same glasses throughout the rest of the test.

After this you will be asked two questions about the vehicle checks you would carry out before driving. Theses can be viewed on the Show Me / Tell Me page

Once done, the Examiner will walk around your car. He will take details of the make and model on his driving test report sheet. The Examiner will also check to see if the vehicle is roadworthy. He will check for no broken lights, the windscreen wipers are in place, the tyres comply with the legal requirements. Make sure you don't have a dirty windscreen, in fact make sure that whole car looks clean, ensure also that the 'L' plates are properly displayed. If the Examiner is happy he will join you in the car.

The Practical Driving Test

The Examiner will tell you that he wishes you to follow the road ahead unless traffic signs direct otherwise, or unless he asks you to turn. You will be expected to know and act on all traffic signs and signals, as well as signals given by other drivers. Then he will ask you to drive away when you are ready. Take proper precautions before starting the engine this means, making sure that the handbrake is on and the gear lever or selector (If driving an automatic) is in neutral. Adjust the mirrors if necessary and if appropriate look over your shoulder(s) before moving away.

The Examiner will be marking your performance on his sheet. You have to avoid failure points if you are to pass your test. Throughout the test the Examiner will be looking for reasonably smooth use of the controls. So you are expected to make proper use of /accelerator/clutch/gears/foot brake/handbrake/steering.

During the whole test the Examiner will be building up a picture of your ability and common sense as a driver. The Examiner will expect you to suit your speed to the road and traffic conditions. You have to choose a proper speed for general driving and when coming to corners, bends, junction, roundabouts etc.

Mirrors and signals have to be used correctly. The Examiner will be checking that signals are given in good time and that the correct signals are given. The Examiner will also be watching to see how you deal with other road users. Show awareness and anticipation of the actions of pedestrians/cyclists/drivers. And you need to know how to Overtake/meet/cross the path of/other vehicles safely.

At junctions the Examiner will be watching to see that you apply the M.S.M routine. You have to know how to deal with different junctions. Dealing with other road users means you must allow adequate clearance to stationary vehicles.

Every test route includes a pedestrian crossing, so you have to take appropriate action at pedestrian crossings.

The Examiner will ask you to stop at various places during the driving test. Whenever you stop, you should do so in a safe place. The Examiner will not trap you by asking you to stop in a illegal place, but you have to select a safe position for normal stops. It will be after one of these "stops" when the Examiner will ask you to do one of the many special exercises. In all tests taken in Northern Ireland (one in three, rest of U.K.)You will be required to stop the vehicle in emergency/promptly/under control/making proper use of brakes. The Examiner will show you what he intends to do in order for you to stop quickly at his request, usually this means that he will put is hand up in front of him and say STOP.

You will be asked to do 2 of the following 4 manoeuvres:

The Reverse around the corner - Reverse into a limited opening either to the right or left/under control/with due regard for other road users.

The Turn in the Road - Turn round by means of forward and reverse gears/under control/with due regard for other road users.

Reverse Parking - Reverse park in reverse gear/under control/with due regard for other road users.

Bay Parking - Reverse into a parking bay at the driving test car park.

Once the test is over you will either receive a PASS Certificate which must be signed and sent to the DVLA in Coleraine (DVLC in Swansea) together with your provisional driving licence which is surrendered when a “Full” licence is issued. If you fail you will receive a STATEMENT OF FAILURE form on which the Examiner may have marked with a '\' in some of the boxes.

'\' in the column headed "Driving Faults" means a minor fault, which does not result in an automatic failure. However, if you collect more than 15 of these minor driving faults you will FAIL.
'\' in the column headed "S" means a Serious fault, and a fail.
'\' in the column headed "D" means a Dangerous fault, and a fail
'\' in the boxes marked "Examiner took verbal/physical action" also means a fail
If you fail, you will be given another application form to apply for your next test!

Data Protection Act

At this point the Examiner will ask you if you would like an explanation of any faults that you have occurred. If you say. "Yes". A debriefing will follow when the Examiner has asked you if you want your Instructor to hear the debriefing with you. If you allow your Instructor to listen to a debriefing then it should be made clear to you, by the Examiner, that the information is privileged to you under the Data Protection Act and you have the right to exclude your Instructor from the privileged information passed from the Examiner to you. If you agree to your Instructor listening to the Examiners' debriefing you waive your protective rights under the Data Protection Act. The Examiner will make this clear to you.

Even if your Instructor accompanies you on your Driving Test you retain the right to exclude your Instructor from the debriefing that the Examiner gives at the end of your Test. In other words, you may ask your Instructor to leave the car before the debriefing begins. If you decide to listen to the Examiner's debriefing without your Instructor present then you may run the risk of not fully understanding the Examiners wording.

Even if you haven't passed, you will have learned a great deal. You can build on these skills in order to pass next time. Decide on what steps you can take to improve your technique and ask your instructor for advice.

Pre-test ‘Advice’

• Get a good night's sleep before the test.
• Make sure you eat a good breakfast.
• Dress comfortably - make yourself feel good.
• Have confidence in your ability.
• Arrive in plenty of time you should be present in the test centre at least ten minutes before the appointed time of your test.
• Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions, act on them in good time, and ask for them to be repeated if necessary.
• The examiner just wants to see what you would normally do - nothing that you do not already know.
• If you make a decision that you think could be misjudged by the examiner, explain your reasons while you drive.
• If you come across a new situation, hold back and assess it carefully before you decide to proceed and be prepared to change your decision if necessary.

Show the examiner that you deserve to have those L plates removed.