THE THEORY TEST
Before you can take your practical driving test, you must first have passed your theory test. The certificate, which you are awarded, lasts for 2 years and you must pass your practical driving test before this expires or you will have to re-sit your theory test again. We can arrange for you to take the theory test during your training if necessary, but we cannot book your practical driving test until you are in possession of the theory test certificate.
The theory test is made up of two parts, the multiple-choice part and the hazard perception part. The multiple-choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button. You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. If you pass one part, but fail the other, you will fail the whole test and will have to take both parts again. Once you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test.
Part one – Multiple-Choice
The multiple-choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer. 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 and motorcycles you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes. You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test.
The pass mark for the multiple-choice part of the theory test is 43 out of 50.
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 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 will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. To achieve a high score you will 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 will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.
The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.
At the end of the Test
When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you will not be allowed to enter it again. You will then be given your result by the test centre staff.
