**********NEWSFLASH**********
It has come to my attention that there are companys on the Web that are booking your Driving Theory Test online and charging up to £48.
These company's are booking the Theory Test on your behalf and charging you a premium for the privilege! The current cost for the theory Test from the Direct Gov Web Site is £31, you can follow this link to the official booking site, Direct Gov Theory Test Booking. (This link opens in a new window).
If you are a learner driver you must take and pass your theory test before you book your practical test. If you already have a driving licence you might not have to take another theory test if you want to start driving a different vehicle.
Preparing for the theory test
The driving theory test has two parts, part one is a multiple choice test and part two is a hazard perception test.
To prepare for both parts of the theory test we recommend that all candidates, regardless of driving experience, use the resource material available.
If you follow the link at the top of the page it will take you to the web site, Theory Test Pro, for you to practice on-line theory tests.
The resource material is available from most high street book shops and from the DSA official online bookstore - the link below will take you to the DSA bookstore website.
The complete set of theory test questions and answers is also available in book and CD-ROM format.
TSO Bookshop (This Link opens in a new window).
Follow this link to a web site to practise for the Official DSA Driving Theory Test, (this link opens in a new window).
With your first theory test booking confirmation letter, DSA send you a DVD called "Are you ready?" which you should watch as this explains the process of taking the theory test.
Hazard perception
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has developed a modular, multi-media training resource for the hazard perception test. The resource is available in DVD and VHS video format and is called 'The official guide to hazard perception'; this was formerly known as 'Roadsense'.
This training resource adopts a structured approach to defining hazards, looking for clues, the 'mirror- signal- manoeuvre' routine, scanning and planning, prioritising, cutting down the risks and responding to hazards. The DVD also has a number of interactive, example hazard perception video clips.
The hazard perception training material has been developed, not as a 'teach yourself' product, but as one where guidance from a professional trainer is essential.
Integrating theoretical hazard perception training into the practical training sessions will ensure that as competence is achieved in each of the necessary skills, they can be strengthened and applied while you are on the road to increase the road safety benefits.
All of these products are available to buy from most high street book shops, they are also available to order over the phone and online through The Stationery Office.
To book the theory test follow this link DSA official theory test.(This link opens in a new window).
Practise multiple choice questions online
DSA also provide an online service that allows you to test your knowledge and understanding of the Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and the Essential Skills series of books. The practice theory tests only contain multiple choice questions and do not allow you to practise the hazard perception test online. Repeatedly scoring a pass on the practice tests does not guarantee a pass when you take the real theory test under proper exam conditions.
If you want to practise a multiple choice test online, please click on either of the link below.
DSA Theory test guide(This link opens in a new window).
Free Theory test(This link opens in a new window).Multiple choice
Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test works.
You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.
A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer.
For cars you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test.
After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.
Hazard Perception
After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.
The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.
To achieve a high score you'll 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 won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll 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.
