The Easiest Way to Pass Your Theory Test
In each of our blogs, Annie – the UK’s leading Theory Test Expert, looks at every topic you need to know to successfully pass your theory test. We bring you the most up-to-date and detailed information there is. In easy-to-understand language, these blogs are written with everyone in mind. This week it’s The Easiest Way to Pass Your Theory Test.
Passing your driving test will give you great freedom and independence, but before you can even book your practical test you need to pass a theory test.
Theory tests are taken at official government DVSA test centres. There are TWO parts to the theory test –
- multiple choice questions
- hazard perception
Both of these parts are taken on a computer.
What is the theory test?
In the multiple-choice section, you have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions.
Questions are from 14 topics
- Accidents
- Alertness
- Attitude
- Documents
- Hazard Awareness
- Motorway Rules
- Other Types of Vehicles
- Road and Traffic Signs
- Rules of the Road
- Safety Margins
- Safety and Your Vehicle
- Vehicle Handling
- Vehicle Loading
- Vulnerable Road Users
The pass mark is 43 out of 50.
After a short break you will watch 14 hazard perception clips. This is to test your ability to spot and react to unexpected hazards on the road. 13 clips have just the one hazard but 1 clip will have TWO hazards. You won’t know which clip has two hazards so you must keep watching every single clip the whole way through. You will score between zero and five points for every hazard, the highest score is 5 points.
The pass mark is 44 out of 75.
Currently, the theory test costs £23. This might seem like a low fee, but many people are taking tests not fully prepared and consequently fail. Failing may mean that booking the practical test will be delayed. And just one fail will mean spending £46 (two test fees) on the theory test. In fact, many people are spending hundreds of pounds as they fail multiple times. Go through the following tips to give yourself the best chance of passing first time, and save yourself wasting money on repeated tests.
Top tips on how to pass the theory test
See and hear how to feel confident and pass your theory test first time.
Book your test
You can book your car theory test to take it any time on or after your 17th birthday. Some learner drivers decide to take the theory test before starting lessons, but most take it after they have had some lessons. Having some driving experience can help the theory test make more sense.
Once you have decided it’s time to take your theory test, it’s a good idea to book it. Decide how much time you have to prepare and choose an appropriate date to take it. As an idea, most people spend between 2 and 6 weeks preparing for their test using Theory Test Course.
Don’t worry if the date of your test is approaching and you don’t feel test ready. As long as you give three full working days’ notice, you can cancel or reschedule your test.
Learn the theory of driving
The theory test questions are based on the information found in these three books:
- Highway Code
- Know Your Traffic Signs
- Driving the Essential Skills
These books are highly recommended. If you aren’t going to purchase and read all of them, all drivers should at least have a copy of the latest Highway Code. You can choose to read the book or refer to it as you go through your theory preparation and driving lessons.
For those who don’t like reading, don’t want to read, or find learning by reading a hard way to learn, Theory Test Course is an excellent way to prepare. Rather than reading you can learn by watching video tutorials and listening to fact lists.
Hazard Perception
In your driving test, you will be assessed on your ability to notice and react to normal everyday hazards such as junctions, roundabouts, changing speed limits, traffic lights and so on. The hazard perception test is a test of your ability to notice and react to unexpected hazards, ones that could cause you to have an incident, like a child running out into the road in front of you.
The hazard perception test requires you to click a mouse when you spot a developing hazard, and you need to click within a scoring window. The highest you can score is five points, but if you click before the scoring window opens you would score 0 for that hazard.
Many people get confused about when they should click, what their clicking for and how many times they can click. Theory Test Course includes a section to cover all of this, plus sample clips and practice clips.
Don’t leave practising hazard perception until the end of your theory preparation, practise lots of hazard perception clips all the way through. Before taking your theory test, you should understand what a developing hazard is, when you’re expected to click the mouse and how you can score well.
Bring theory to life
Your theory test questions and answers will make more sense if you bring the theory to life. If you’re learning the traffic light sequence and the different pedestrian crossings, look out for these things when you’re out and about. Notice box junctions and roundabouts and talk about them. Look out for road signs and try to read them or look them up. Bringing theory to life like this makes learning more fun and helps you remember more easily.
Mock tests
There are hundreds of official DVSA practice theory test questions. Theory Test Course has all of the most updated practice questions. Once you feel you’ve prepared by learning the theory of driving and answering all practice questions, it’s time to have a go at taking full 50 question mock tests.
When you can pass at least 5 consecutive mock tests, with a score of 47 or more, you are test ready. Although the theory pass mark is 43/50, you are not aiming to scrape a pass; aim higher and you’re much more likely to pass.
Change date if you’re not test ready
You booked your theory test to take it a few weeks after you started revising. But you still don’t feel test ready and you’re not passing mock tests. Don’t worry about it! You can postpone your test date if you give at least 3 working days’ notice. Remember, working days do not include Sundays or Bank Holidays.
Taking your test
If you were taking your practical test, you’d make sure your car was in good working order and had enough fuel and water.
Do the same thing for yourself and your theory test. Have a good rest beforehand, eat well and drink enough to give yourself the best chance of preforming well.
Plan what you’ll wear so you are a comfortable and not too hot or cold. Make sure you have your driving licence with you.
Give yourself plenty time to arrive at the test centre, so you can arrive relaxed and not stressed.
Want to know more? Our bestselling Theory Test Course is the best way to become confident and test-ready. Sign up today and prepare to pass your test with us. GOOD LUCK!!!!!
