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Taking your theory test

The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.

If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again.

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for eg a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other test.

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, the items are drawn from the same pool, and each vehicle category takes the same test. However the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Lorry and bus multiple choice and hazard perception tests are booked and taken separately.

There are 35 multiple choice questions to be answered in up to 40 minutes under exam conditions in a private booth. Candidates must correctly answer 30 questions or more. Most questions require one correct answer from a choice of four or five possible options although some require two or more correct answers with all responses being required to score positively. Some questions will contain pictures of road signs and road conditions.

The screens are easy to read and only one question will appear on the screen at the time. You will be able to move forwards or backwards through the questions at any time to look at the questions again to complete or to alter your answer. The new system will inform you if you have not completed your answer fully.

The Hazard Perception Test consists of 14 video clips, each lasting about one minute featuring various types of hazards such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. The candidate must press a mouse button to simulate the motorcyclist taking action such as changing speed or direction in response to a developing hazard. The earlier a developing hazard is detected and an appropriate response made, the higher the score between 1 and 5 for each clip. The pass mark for this part of the test is 42 out of a maximum of 75 as one clip (not declared) has two hazards within it.

You are given their results when they have finished both parts of the test and have returned to the waiting room.

Many theory test centres include facilities for special needs such as specific language requirements, dyslexia and learning difficulties, delivered with special headsets. For those with hearing difficulties, an on-screen video of the test signed in British Sign Language is available, this is asked when booking your Theory Test.

Part one - multiple choice

Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test works.

You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer.

Some car and motorcycle multiple choice questions will be given as a case study. The case study will show a scenario that five questions will be based on. The subject of the scenario focuses on real life examples and experiences that drivers could come across when driving.

You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Time allowed: 57 minutes
Passmark: 43 out of 50

Part two - hazard perception

After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a series of video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the car/motorcycle clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you'll need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.

You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

Video clips: 14
Developing hazards: 15
Pass mark: 44 out of 75

This information was taken from the Directgov website and can be found in full here.