Theory Test Preparation

To prepare for your theory test you should study from source material.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) recommends: 'The Highway Code'; 'Know Your Traffic Signs' and 'DSA essential skills' books.
The Highway Code
The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Many of the rules are the law, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence.
The Highway Code »
Know your traffic signs
Traffic signs play a vital role in directing, informing and controlling road users' behaviour. It makes a knowledge of traffic signs vital.
Know your traffic signs »
The essential skills range of books
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) produces books in the essential skills range. They give you everything you need to learn about safe driving or riding skills for life.
Taking your theory test

Part one - Practice multiple-choice questions online
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 practice the multiple-choice part of the theory test online to test your knowledge and understanding of the source material.
Practice multiple-choice questions online here »
Part Two - The hazard perception part
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.
The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75. For lorries and buses the pass mark is 50 out of 75.
When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll then be given your result by the test centre staff. You can book your theory test online at:
Book your Theory Test online here »
Documents to bring to your driving theory test
When you go for your theory test you must take the right documents with you. If you don't, your test might not go ahead and you might lose your fee. Find out what you need to take and what happens when you arrive at the test centre.
Documents you must bring to your test
You must bring the following documents with you. If you do not bring the right documents:
- the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) will refuse to carry out the test
- you will lose your fee
Bring both parts of your driving license.
You must bring both parts of your driving license - the photocard and the paper counterpart.
If you have an old-style paper license, you must take your signed driving license and you must also bring a valid passport.
No other form of photographic identification will be accepted.