The first step in becoming a full UK licence holder is to take your Theory Test. You MUST pass this before you can book your Practical Test.
The Theory Test is split into two sections:
- A multiple choice test
- A hazard perception test
You must pass both parts to get an overall pass. A failure in either part means that you will have to sit BOTH the theory and hazard perception tests again, so it’s really important that you are fully prepared before you sit the test.
You will sit the Theory Test using a touch screen PC. You will be given 57 minutes to answer 50 questions and you must score 43 or more to pass. The questions cover a wide range of theory knowledge including alertness, attitude, safety, road signs and many more.
Once your test begins, a question and four possible answers will appear on screen. You need to select ONE answer by touching the screen. You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test.
For the car Theory Test, the last 3 questions are linked to a video case study question. However, for bikes, the last 5 questions are linked to a text based case study scenario. These scenarios focus on real-life examples and experiences that drivers could come across whilst on the road.
How to book your Theory Test
The easiest way to book the official DVSA Theory Test is online at www.gov.uk/book-theory-test.
Before you start you must ensure that you meet the minimum requirement of having lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day you take your Theory Test before proceeding.
How much is the Theory Test?
This is subject to change by the DVSA, so check their website for latest prices.
- Car Theory Test = £23
- Bike Theory Test = £23
- LGV/PCV part 1a (multiple-choice questions) = £26
- LGV/PCV part 1b (hazard perception) = £11
- LGV/PCV part 2 (case studies) = £23
To book it you will need:
- Your valid provisional driving licence number (Great Britain or Northern Ireland)
- A credit or debit card to pay the test fee
- An email address (if you don’t have one then you’ll have to book by phone)
Be aware when you book a Theory Test online that you only use the official booking service through the Gov website. There are many websites out there that will offer to book your Theory Test for you but will also charge you a booking fee on top of the test fee. Some sites will charge as much as £50 or more for something that you can do yourself for FREE within a few minutes.
If you’d prefer, you can book your Theory Test over the phone . To do this, call the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency on 0300 200 1122.