The theory test explained…

The theory test is made up of a multiple choice and hazard perception sections. You need to pass both sections to pass it. Once you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test.

Taking your theory test

The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses using a mouse button.

If you pass one part and fail the other – you’ll fail the whole test, and you’ll need to take both parts again.

The questions in each multiple choice tests vary according to the category of vehicle you’re hoping to obtain a licence for eg a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don’t appear in any other test.

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, the items are drawn from the same pool, and each vehicle category takes the same test.  However the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Part one – multiple choice

Instructions are provided before the test starts – so don’t panic!

If you wish, you can 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. Important – some questions may require more than one answer!

Some multiple choice questions will be given as a case study. The case study will show a scenario that five questions will be based on. The subject of the scenario focuses on real life examples and experiences that drivers could come across when driving.

You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test, a bit like ‘pass’ in Mastermind! After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Part two – hazard perception

After the 3 minute 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 video clips which feature everyday road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but some 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.