IT IS TIME I LEARN TO DRIVE!*

So, I’ve wanted to learn to drive for a LONG time now but I’ve always been too nervous to get started. After all, it is a pretty big thing and quite daunting! Here’s the answer to every question I’ve had while thinking about taking my test. I think it’s about time I finally start my theory.

The driving theory test is a very important part of the journey of learning to drive as you have to pass it before you’re allowed to take the practical driving test. However, once you take that, and you have your car, the next part is finding the right car insurance for you. There are a lot of car insurance companies out there like, one sure insurance, that could be right for you.

Make sure you know everything about this vital test by reading through this comprehensive driving theory test FAQ put together by Pass ‘N’ Go – provider of driving lessons in Newcastle, Middleborough, Durham and Sunderland.

Booking a theory test

How much do theory tests costs?

A theory test costs £23 when you are learning to drive. This is the regardless of what day/time you are taking the theory test. It isn’t as expensive as I thought it would be, to be honest!

If you have a Safe Road User Award, you can sit an abridged theory test. This costs £18 and is the case whether you take the test on a weekday, during weekends or through bank holidays.

Can I book multiple theory tests?

No, you’re not able to book multiple and if you want to take it again, you must rebook your theory test if you have failed. The date you rebook for a resit must be at least three working days away from the booking date, which is helpful to know.

If you find yourself double booked or unable to attend your appointment, you have the option to change the date of your solitary theory test appointment. You can:

• find an earlier date for your theory test.
• move your theory test to a later date.
• change the test centre where you would like to sit your theory test.

Can a theory test be done online?

No. A theory test must be sat at a theory test centre. But you can take a free mock test of the multiple choice portion of the theory test on the GOV.UK website. This is made up of 50 questions – the same number that will be provided in the actual driving theory test.

There’s also The Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception DVD-ROM for learner drivers to learn how to deal with hazard perception skills on their computer.

Is the theory test free?

No, unfortunately not!. Only GOV.UK’s practice theory test, consisting of the multiple choice portion of the driving theory test, is free.

What theory test do I need to take?

Most drivers need to sit the standard theory test which costs £23, however, you won’t be required to sit a driving theory test when you are booking a driving test to:

• upgrade a car licence.
• upgrade a motorcycle licence that you’ve held for a minimum of two years.
• upgrade a lorry or bus licence.
• a taxi driving test.
• a tractor driving test.

What age can I sit a theory test?

As soon as you turn 17, you are able to take a driving theory test.

If you receive or have applied for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you can sit the theory test as soon as you turn 16 years old.

How long is the theory test waiting list?

According to this report by Book Theory Test Today, the DVSA aims to achieve a target of 95 per cent of driving theory test candidates receiving a theory test appointment no longer than two weeks from their preferred date. – Which isn’t as long as I expected it to be!

Theory test centres

Where are theory test centres?

They are all over just head over to the GOV.UK’s simple postcode search service.

Are theory test centres open on Saturdays and bank holidays?

Not all theory test centres open on Saturdays and bank holidays. Luckily, when booking your test you will be advised whether or not you can sit it on a weekend or bank holiday – good news.

Sitting a theory test

Do theory test questions change?

Questions will change from one theory test to the next. However, all questions are based on the following three books:

1. The Highway Code by the Department for Transport
2. Know Your Traffic Signs by the Department for Transport
3. The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – The Essential Skills by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

How do theory tests work?

Each theory test consists of the following:

• A set of 50 multiple-choice questions, some of which will be presented in a case study whereby:

• A short story is shown and then five questions will be given based on this.
• A real-life situation that you could come across while driving will be detailed.

• A hazard perception test consisting of 14 separate video clips.

At the end of the test, you must score at least 43 out of 50 for the multiple-choice questions and 44 out of a possible 75 points for the hazard perception test. Both parts of the test must be passed.

How long do theory tests take?

You have a maximum of 57 minutes to get through the 50 multiple-choice questions. Additional time can be requested for this part of the test if you have reading difficulties, though proof must be sent to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in the form of an email or a letter supplied from:

1. A doctor or medical professional.
2. An independent party who is aware of your reading difficulty – your employer, for example.
3. A teacher or other educational professional.

This proof should be sent to one of the following two locations:

1. DVSA theory test enquiries, via the email address [email protected].
2. By post using the address: DVSA Theory Test Enquiries, PO Box 1286, Warrington, WA1 9GN.

Up to three minutes can be taken as a break between the multiple-choice portion of the test and the hazard perception test. There is no time limit as such for this part, as this is based on how long it takes for all 14 video clips to be shown.

If you have obtained a Safe Road User Award within the three years prior to sitting your theory test, take note that you can sit a shorter version of the theory test. This is known as the ‘abridged theory test’, which will see you answering 35 multiple-choice questions with the aim of getting 30 out of 35 to pass. There are no changes to the hazard perception test though – it still consists of 14 video clips.

To book an ‘abridged theory test’, you must contact the DVSA theory test booking support team via the phone number 0300 200 11 22 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday and have the following to hand:

• A credit or debit card to pay for your test.
• Your provisional UK driving licence number.
• Your Safe Road User Award certificate number.

Does a theory test include hazard perception?

Yes, all theory tests are made up of a series of multiple-choice questions and then a hazard perception test. You must achieve passes in both parts of the test in order to pass the overall theory test.

Does the theory test include the highway code?

Yes, due to the questions in the theory tests being based on the following three books:

1. The Highway Code by the Department for Transport
2. Know Your Traffic Signs by the Department for Transport
3. The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – The Essential Skills by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Are driving theory tests timed?

Yes, there is a 57-minute time limit on the multiple-choice portion of the theory test. However, you aren’t expected to use the full allocated time – you can finish this part of the test at any time once all questions have been answered.

A break of up to three minutes can also be taken between the multiple-choice part of the theory test and the hazard perception test. Again though, this entire time does not need to be taken.

Are theory test questions multiple choice?

Yes, every one of the 50 questions that you will be presented with will come complete with several possible answers. You simply need to select your answer from the list for each question.

The hazard perception part of the theory test

What is a hazard perception test?

The hazard perception test is a video test which quizzes you on your efficiency at spotting hazards on the road through a series of fourteen video clips.

Each video clip consists of the following:

• Everyday road scenes.
• At least one ‘developing hazard’ – this is something that would cause a driver to take an action, such as changing their speed or direction – though one clip will feature two developing hazards.

The way you receive points is by sussing out the hazards as they begin to occur.

What is the hazard perception pass score?

You need to score at least 44 points out of a possible 75 points available in order to pass the hazard perception part of the theory test.

How long does the hazard perception test take?

There is no time limit as such for the hazard perception test; this portion of the theory test lasts as long as the 14 video clips take to be viewed as you only receive one attempt at each clip.

How much does the hazard perception test cost?

The hazard perception test must be taken as part of a theory test, so the charge is £23 for a theory test if you’re learning to drive a car.

Do theory tests expire?

Yes, unfortunately. When you pass your theory test, you will receive a letter that contains your pass certificate number and this number is needed when you book and take your driving test but it only lasts for two years.

Where is the theory test pass certificate number?

The theory test pass certificate number will be recorded within a letter that you will receive at the test centre as soon as you pass. It is extremely important that this number is kept safe.

What is Theory Test Pro?

Theory Test Pro is a highly realistic online simulation of the UK’s driving theory tests, it contains every official revision test question that has been licensed by the DVSA as well as complete access to the hazard perception test. When compared to the national average, learners who used Theory Test Pro were twice as likely to pass their theory test. Click here to find out more about Theory Test Pro and how to get started on the system for free. When it comes to finally passing your test and choosing your first car, there are a lot of options, so make sure you can use a Car Loan Calculator to help you figure out what your first car could be, based on what you can afford. Then once you’ve found the perfect car, make sure you have insurance. The best approach to this is using a comparison website like GoBear.com.

Sources:

https://www.gov.uk/theory-test

https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test

https://www.gov.uk/driving-test-cost

https://www.gov.uk/find-theory-test-centre

*This is a sponsored post