Theory test
Before you can start driving lessons you must hold a provisional licence, you can apply for this any time after you reach 15 years and 9 months. You can take your theory test anytime from your 17th birthday so if you are keen to learn to drive you might want to start studying for this before your 17th birthday. You don’t need to have passed it to start your lessons, but some advance knowledge of road safety will always be helpful! Once you have passed your theory test you have two years to pass your driving test otherwise you will have to re-sit it. So whilst you might be keen to get your theory test out of the way if you do think you will struggle to complete your practical test in that 2 years, either because of practical or financial reasons you may want to wait and take it nearer to your practical test. However, you cannot book your practical test until you have passed you theory test.
There are 50 multiple-choice questions in the theory test, and you need to answer 43 of them correctly, For the Hazard Perception section of the test, you need to score 44 out of 75. You will be shown 14 clips, each lasting 60 seconds. 13 clips contain one developing hazard, while one clip will contain two developing hazards. You need to tap the touch screen or click the mouse (depending on the test centre) as soon as you see a developing hazard. You can score up to 5 marks on each clip, and the earlier you click on a developing hazard, the more points you will score. It’s important that you only click when you do spot a hazard, as continuously clicking will result in you scoring a 0. So, what is a developing hazard? A developing hazard can be anything from a pedestrian stepping out into the road, a child running between parked cars, or a car exiting a driveway
Our top tips for passing your theory are: –
Study! Online, read books, mock tests, anything that you find helps you remember information. There are lots of study aids out there just find the one that suits you the best! Only 47% of people passed their theory test last year so the more hours you put into learning the more likely you will be to be one of those that pass.
Brush up on your hazard spotting – again there are online aids to help with this but also as you are out and about, even as a passenger you can be looking for developing hazards.
Take a mock test, take several, the more you take the more you learn!
On the day – In the test you’ll have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple choice questions. Stuck on a tricky one? Not to worry. Hit the flag button and it’ll mark the question as unanswered, so you can easily go back to it before the end of the test. You get a 3-minute break between the first and second part of your test. You’re halfway there so take a breather, have a quick stretch at the desk and focus on the next part of the test – hazard perception.
Hope this helps but if you have any questions pop them in the contact form and we will happily answer them for you.