THEORY TEST

Once you have your provisional driving licence you can book your theory test.

The quickest and easiest way is to book your Theory and Hazard Perception Tests online

Or you can phone 0300 200 1122 (English language) or 0300 200 1133 (Welsh language) - Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.

To book your theory driving test online or by phone you need

	your valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland provisional driving licence number
	your credit or debit card details

The theory and hazard perception tests will take place at your nearest Theory Test Centre

You can take your theory test before you start your lessons (if you're taking an intensive course with the practical test at the end of it your driving instructor will probably say you have to take it before you start the course) or you can take the theory test after you've had a few lessons.

Watch this video - Official DSA car theory test

Try these 2 official practice theory tests

When you go for your theory test you must take with you your provisional driving licence and your test appointment letter or your booking number. If you don't have these you won't be able to take the test and you'll lose your fee. The same applies if you arrive late.

You can have a practice before each of the two parts. The real test will begin as soon as you've finished the practice.

Part 1 of the theory test is made up of 50 questions on a computer screen with multiple choice answers. At the top of each question you'll be told to choose one or more answers. If you don't click on enough answers a notice will appear on the screen. You can use a mouse to click on the asnwers or touch the answers on the screen.

You have 57 minutes to complete part 1 of the theory test. That's over a minute per question. Many of the questions you'll be able to answer in under 30 seconds so there's plenty of time and no need to rush your answers. If you're struggling over any questions you can flag them and come back to them when you've finished the others.

To pass, you need to answer at least 43 correctly.

THE HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST

At the end of part one of the theory test you're allowed a three minute break, if you want one, before starting part two - the hazard perception test

You'll be asked, on screen, if you would like to see a video explaining the hazard perception test. It's recommended that you watch it.

The hazard perception test consists of 14 film clips which have 15 scoreable hazards so there's at least one in each clip that you have to respond to and one clip will have two hazards.

You need to click the mouse button when you see 'developing' hazards that will cause you to change speed or direction. You won't lose points for responding to others but you will be penalised for clicking too much and you'll see a warning message on the screen at the end of the clip.

The earlier you notice a developing hazard and make a response, the higher your score will be. The most you can score for each developing hazard is 5 points.

To get the high score you need to

	respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development
	press the mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing

If you react quickly and click as soon as the hazard starts to develop you will score 5 points. As there are 15 hazards the maximum score is 75. To pass you need to score at least 44.

We recommend that you buy the Hazard Perception Test DVD and get in as much practice as you can.

Meanwhile take a look at this video Theory Test - Hazard Perception Introduction

At the end of the theory test you'll be told if you've passed or not. You need to pass both parts to pass the whole test.

If you haven't passed you can apply the next day for another test but you'll have to wait a minimum of 3 clear working days before you can take the theory test again.

Questions are chosen at random from a bank of over 1,000 questions. You can buy a book containing all the questions. The DSA are no longer going to publish the multiple choice questions and answers and from the 1st of July 2012 part 1 of the theory test will contain unpublished questions.

You should also buy the Highway Code or read the Highway Code online

You can download (for a price) some useful books and DVDs at the DSA section of The Stationary Office

You can watch a video about one of them - The official DSA theory test for car drivers interactive download