You will need to take a theory test if you are learning to drive for the first time or if you want a licence for a new category of vehicle. The Theory Test is made up of two sections, part one is multiple choice questions and part two is the hazard perception test.

Part one – Multiple Choice Questions

You will be allocated a touch screen computer on arrival at the Theory Test Centre where you will complete the first part of the Theory Test. You will be provided with instructions before you start and are given the opportunity to take a practice session to give you the chance to get used to the system. The real test will begin once you have completed the practice test. You will be presented onscreen with a question and several answer options and you have to select the correct answer (some questions may require more than one answer). You will be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and can go back to questions later in the test.

The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 43 out of 50. Once you have completed this first part of the Theory Test, you will have up to 3 minutes before Part Two; the Hazard Perception Test will begin.

Hazard Perception

You will be shown how the hazard perception test works before you have to take the test. The Hazard Perception Test is a computer based test and you are required to click a button on the computer mouse to respond to hazards that appear onscreen. The test consists of a series of 14 video clips and in each clip there will be at least one hazard. One of the clips will feature to hazards.

To achieve a high score you need to respond to the hazard as you see it happening on screen. The maximum score you can achieve on each hazard is five. Unlike the multiple choice part of the Theory Test, you cannot review your answers (this is because you would only have one chance on the road to spot a hazard).

To pass the Hazard Perception section of the Theory Test you need to score a minimum of 44 out of 75.