The UK driving theory test: £23, 43 out of 50 and a two-year certificate

A British driving licence starts with a £23 theory test. It has two parts, taken in one sitting, and failing either means resitting both. Here are the thresholds, the deadlines, and the rules that most often void a test before it begins.

Who can take it?

You need a provisional driving licence and to have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the 12 months before the day of the test. You can take it from your 17th birthday — or from your 16th if you get, or have applied for, the higher weekly rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment.

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You do not need the car theory test to upgrade an automatic licence to a manual one, or if you hold a category B1 licence (three- or four-wheeled light vehicles) from before 1 February 2001. Moped and motorcycle licence holders do have to pass a car theory test before the car driving test.

What does it cost?

Car and motorcycle tests cost £23. Lorry and bus tests are split: part 1a (multiple-choice) £26, part 1b (hazard perception) £11, part 2 (case studies) £23. To book you need your UK driving licence number, an email address and a card.

What is in the first part?

50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes. Before it starts you get instructions and a practice question. Three questions relate to a short video of an ordinary driving situation — a town centre, a country road; the clip is silent and you can watch it as often as you like. You can flag a question to return to it, and change any answer at any point. You can finish early. Between the parts you can take a break of up to 3 minutes.

And the second part?

14 video clips of everyday road scenes. Each contains at least one developing hazard, and one clip contains two. A developing hazard is something that would make you act — change speed or direction. A parked car doing nothing is not one; the same car indicating right and pulling away is.

Each hazard is worth up to 5 points, and the earlier you click the more you score. Clicking wrongly costs nothing, but clicking continuously or in a pattern scores nothing for that clip. You get one attempt per clip and cannot review or change your responses.

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What are the pass marks?

43 out of 50 on the questions. 44 out of 75 on hazard perception. You must pass both. The result is given at the test centre straight away.

How long is the certificate good for?

The pass certificate number lasts 2 years. You must pass the driving test within that time, or sit the theory again. If you fail, the letter tells you which part fell short — but you resit the whole test, even the part you passed. You must wait at least 3 working days before trying again.

What to bring, and when to arrive

Arrive 15 minutes before the start. Arrive late and the test is cancelled with no refund. Bring your UK photocard licence; with a Northern Ireland licence, bring the photocard and the paper counterpart. With a paper licence you also need a valid passport, and without a passport you will have to get a photocard. Turn up without the right documents and the test is cancelled and the money lost.

If you have lost your licence, order a replacement — it can take up to 15 days — and rearrange the test if it will not arrive in time. If you changed your name after booking, bring proof such as a marriage certificate or deed poll; without it you must cancel and rebook in your new name with your new licence number.

What you cannot take in

All electronic devices go off before you enter the centre: phones, smart watches, fitness trackers. A device you cannot switch off means you will not be allowed to sit the test. Personal belongings — small bags, coats, hats, earphones, phones, watches, wallets, books and pens, anything in your pockets — go in a locker. There is no waiting area for adults or children who come with you.

A monitoring device for a medical condition is allowed, but DVSA must have approved it when you booked. If you did not tell them, cancel the appointment: a full refund needs at least 3 working days' notice.

What to revise

The questions are based on three books: The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and Driving — the essential skills. There is an official DVSA kit for PC and Mac, apps for Apple and Android, a separate hazard perception app, and a free practice test whose questions are not used in the real exam but cover the same topics.