Before you can book your practical driving test, you must pass the theory test.
The theory test is made up of two parts:
· Multiple-choice test
· Hazard perception test.
Both must be taken and passed in the same session in order to obtain a theory test pass certificate.
The pass certificate is valid for two years, after which the theory test must be taken and passed again before taking a practical test.
Multiple-choice test
This part of the theory test is performed on a touch screen computer system. The test has 50 multiple choice questions and the candidate must answer at least 43 of them correctly to pass.
Each question may have more than one answer and this will be indicated in the question. All questions are randomly selected from a bank of thousands on a selection of topics.
The test lasts for 57 minutes although candidates with certain special needs can apply for more time.
All 50 questions must be answered. The test allows 15 minutes practice time at the start of the exam to get used to answering the questions and how to use the system. To answer a question the candidate simply touches their choice of answer from the listed answers on the computer screen. If a mistake is made the candidate can deselect a choice and reselect a different option. The candidate is allowed to go back to a question at any time and can also flag questions they are unsure of in order to find and return to it quickly and easily later.To pass the test, 43 of the 50 questions (86%) must be answered correctly.
Hazard perception
Candidates watch fourteen one-minute clips filmed from the perspective of a car driver and have to indicate, usually by clicking a mouse button or touching the screen, when they observe a developing hazard. All of the clips will include one developing hazard, and one will include two such hazards. The sooner the candidates reacts to a developing hazard, the more points are scored, from five down to one, with no score if the candidate reacts too late.
The maximum possible score is 75. The pass mark is 44 (58.6%).
For the purposes of the test, a “developing hazard” is defined as something which requires the driver to adjust speed and/or direction.
Potential hazards are Road Hazards that no immediate action needs to be taken, but are worth observing in case their status changes. Clicking on potential hazards is acceptable, but the scoring window only opens if that hazard develops, thus examinees have to remember to react if the status of a hazard changes, and not just when the potential hazard is first spotted.
If you click several times during this window of time the computer will always take your highest score and record that for that particular clip. If you don’t click the mouse button in this window of time you will score nothing in respect to that hazard. If lots of unnecessary responses are made in a very short space of time, or throughout the clip, a zero score will recorded for that clip.
The Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency encourages learner drivers to read the highway code and practice their theory and hazard perception skills before they begin their driving lessons. There are many software packages available in CD format, online or for touchscreen devices for this purpose. Learner drivers can sit the Theory Test and Hazard Perception Test from the age of 17.
