Passing the Theory test

The theory test includes two parts, mulitple choice questions (based on the highway code) and the hazard perception test. You can choose to study for the theory test whilst you learn to drive, or you can choose to complete the test before commencing driving (as long as you have your provisional licence).

It is necessary to complete the theory test before booking and taking the practical exam. The exam itself isn't too difficult, as long as you are prepared to do the required reading.

If you have any queries on the theory test, or need help, please contact Coopers Driving School
or your driving instructor for more help and further information.

The test can be booked online at www.gov.uk or you can call the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on
0300 200 1122. The fee for the test was £31.50. HOWEVER from the 1st October 2014 it reduced to £25 and will fall further to £23 from October 2015. When you attend please remeber to take your licence with you or you won't be able to sit the test.

The theory test centre is located in Worcester city centre:

3rd Floor Haswell House
Block B1
St Nicholas St.,
Worcester,
Worcestershire

The test is available in English, Welsh, Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Gujerati, Punjabi,
Urdu, Turkish, Arabic, Tamil, Portuguese, Farsi, Albanian, Spanish and Kurdish.

A video of the test in British Sign Language is also available on screen for
candidates who are deaf or have other hearing difficulties.

PART ONE: Multiple Choice

The test is conducted on computer, and before your test begins you will be given instructions on how the test works and given a chance to practice.

Once the test begins for real, you will be shown 50 questions one at a time along with four possible answers. Touch the screen to select one or more correct answers from the ones displayed. You are allowed 40 minutes to complete this part of the test. You may return to questions you have already answered, should you wish to change your answer during the time limit.

The pass mark is 40 out of 50.

PART TWO: The Hazard Perception

After 3 minutes you will begin part two, which is a test to see how quickly you can spot and react to everyday driving hazards. You will be shown 14 short clips from the point of view of a driver and asked to click a mouse button when you see a potentially hazardous situation develop. 13 of the clips will contain one hazard and the other clip will contain two different hazards - you will not be warned which of the clips contains the double hazard.

As the hazardous situation develops, you should continue clicking (no more than around once per second). The earlier you spot the hazard, the more points you will score. If the computer thinks you are cheating by clicking randomly (or too many times) you will score 0 points for that clip.

The maximum you can score for each hazard is 5 points, and you will need to attain a score of 44/75 to pass the test.

If you are quite far into your driving lessons then you will have experience of some of the scenes you will see.

After the test

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you will be invited to complete a customer survey, although you do not have to answer the questions if you do not wish to. The survey questions are anonymous and do not affect the result of the test.

You will now be given your result by the test centre staff and a pass certificate if you successfully completed the test.

Let your driving instructor know the result of your test.

Good Luck! 

The Coopers Driving School team.