Driving Theory Test Explained: Format and Pass Marks 2026

The UK car theory test has two parts taken in one sitting: 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes (pass mark 43) and a hazard perception test of 14 video clips (pass mark 44 out of 75). It costs £23, you need a provisional licence to book it, and you must pass it before you can book your practical driving test.

Below is exactly what happens on the day, how each part is scored, and what to do if things don't go to plan.

Theory test format at a glance

Pass rates show why preparation matters: in July to September 2024, the car theory test pass rate in Great Britain was 45.7%, according to DVSA statistics.

Booking the theory test

• You need a provisional licence to book. If you don't have one yet, start with our provisional licence guide.
• Book on GOV.UK only. The fee is £23, whether you choose a weekday, evening or weekend slot.
• Choose a test centre near you; theory tests are taken on a computer at a test centre.

What to take with you

Bring your UK photocard driving licence. If your licence was issued in Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and the paper counterpart. If you don't bring the right documents, your test will be cancelled and you won't get your money back.

Part 1: the multiple-choice questions

Before the test begins, you get instructions and can try a practice question to get used to the screen. Then:

1. You answer 50 questions in 57 minutes, choosing the right answer from several options on screen.
2. Three of the questions are based on a short silent video of an everyday driving situation, such as a town centre or country road. You can replay it as often as you like.
3. You can flag questions to come back to, and you can review and change any answer before you finish.
4. You can finish early once you've answered every question.

Questions cover topics such as alertness, safety margins, hazard awareness, vulnerable road users, motorway rules, road signs, documents and what to do at incidents. DVSA says the questions are based on three books: The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and Driving: The Essential Skills. You can take the test in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.

After the multiple-choice part, you can take a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Part 2: the hazard perception test

You watch 14 video clips of everyday road scenes. Each clip contains at least one developing hazard, and one clip contains two, so there are at least 15 to spot.

• A developing hazard is something that would make you take action, such as changing speed or direction.
• You click the mouse as soon as you see a hazard starting to develop. The earlier you click, the more you score, up to 5 points per hazard.
• You don't lose points for clicking when there's no hazard, but if you click continuously or in a pattern, you score zero for that clip.
• You only get one attempt per clip and can't go back.

For practical techniques, read our hazard perception test tips.

Your theory test result

You get your result at the test centre straight after the test.

• If you pass: you get a pass certificate number. It is valid for 2 years, and you need it to book your practical test.
• If you fail: you get a letter showing which parts you didn't score enough points on. You must take the whole test again, even if you passed one part, and wait at least 3 working days.

If your certificate runs out before you pass the practical test, you have to sit the theory test again, so keep an eye on the date.

Support if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition

Say so when you book. Options DVSA offers include:

• Listening to the test through headphones, in English or Welsh, as many times as you need.
• Extra time for the multiple-choice part, if you send proof of reading difficulties (for example from a teacher, doctor, occupational therapist or an online dyslexia screening product).
• Someone to read the screen and record your answers, or someone to reword the questions without changing the technical language.
• British Sign Language on screen, or your own BSL interpreter or lip speaker at no extra fee.

DVSA decides which support fits best and tells you what to do next.

How to prepare

Most people who pass first time combine three things:

1. Studying the source material: The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and Driving: The Essential Skills. Our guide to UK traffic signs is a quick way into signs.
2. Regular practice questions, focusing on topics where you keep losing marks.
3. Hazard perception practice with clips that teach you to recognise the early clues.

Our guide on how to pass the theory test has a step-by-step revision plan, and you can see what comes next in the practical driving test explained.

Summary

The theory test is a £23 computer test with two parts: 50 multiple-choice questions (pass mark 43) and 14 hazard perception clips (pass mark 44 out of 75). You must pass both together, your certificate lasts 2 years, and you need it to book the practical test.

Practise with Co-Drive

Co-Drive is an iOS app with original theory practice questions written from The Highway Code (they are not official DVSA questions), hazard-awareness style reasoning exercises and spaced review that brings back the topics you get wrong. It isn't affiliated with the DVSA, but it gives you a structured way to revise. Try Co-Drive.