Theory and Hazard Perception Test

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.  You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. If you pass one part and fail the other you will fail the whole of the test, requiring that you take both parts again.

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you are aiming to obtain a licence for, i.e. a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that do not appear in any other test.

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Part one - multiple choice ( http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/ )

Before this test starts you will be given instructions on how the test is conducted.  you can 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 actual test will start.

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.   You will be required to answer 50 questions in 57 minutes. You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ those that you wish to come back to later in the test.

The minimum pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 43 out of 50.

After the multiple choice part of the test you can choose to have a personal break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.  You are not allowed to leave the examination room.

Click here for more information. 

Part two – hazard perception 

After the break you will then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part of the test is conducted.

The hazard perception part is delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.It is necessary for you to respond by clicking the mouse only; there is no requirement to move the pointer over the hazard.

To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.  The later you respond to the developing phase of the hazard the lower the mark that will be awarded.

You will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.  The pass mark for the car hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75. 

At the end of the test

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you will be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.  You do not have to answer the questions if you do not wish to, and any information you give will remain anonymous and confidential. The survey questions do not affect the result of your test.

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room, you will not be allowed to enter it again. You will then be given the result of your test as a printed document by the test centre staff.