Key points
- The theory test has two parts taken in one sitting: 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, then 14 hazard perception clips. You must pass both.
- Pass marks are 43 out of 50 for the questions and 44 out of 75 for hazard perception.
- A car theory test costs £23 and you need a provisional licence to book it. You can take it from 17, or 16 if you get or have applied for the higher mobility rate of PIP.
- Your pass certificate number lasts 2 years: you must pass your practical test within that time or take the theory test again.
- Bring your UK photocard licence and arrive 15 minutes early, or you lose your test and your fee.
The car theory test is one sitting with two parts: 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, followed by a hazard perception test of 14 video clips.[1] You need 43 out of 50 on the questions and 44 out of 75 on hazard perception, and you must pass both parts in the same test.[1] It costs £23, and once you pass you have 2 years to pass your practical driving test.[2][1]
Before you book
- You need a provisional driving licence to book.[1] See getting your provisional licence.
- You can take the test from your 17th birthday, or from your 16th birthday if you get, or have applied for, the higher weekly rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).[1]
- You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the 12 months before the test.[2]
- The car theory test costs £23 (fee checked on GOV.UK on 14 October 2026).[2]
- You book online with your UK driving licence number, an email address and a credit or debit card.[2]
Book through the official service at https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test. If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition, say so when you book.[2]
Part 1: multiple-choice questions
You have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions, and you get instructions and a practice question before the clock starts.[1] Three of the questions are based on a short, silent video of a normal driving situation, which you can watch as many times as you like.[1]
You can flag questions to come back to and change any answer before you finish.[1] You do not have to use the full 57 minutes, and you can take a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception part starts.[1]
The questions are based on three books: The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and Driving – the essential skills.[1] GOV.UK also offers a free practice test; its questions are not used in the real test, but they cover the same topics.[1]
Part 2: hazard perception
After a short video explaining how it works, you watch 14 clips of everyday road scenes.[1] Each clip contains at least one developing hazard, and one clip contains two.[1]
A developing hazard is something that would make you take action, such as changing speed or direction.[1] GOV.UK's example is a parked car: it is not a hazard while it sits still, but once its right indicator starts flashing and it begins to pull out, you would need to slow down, so it has become a developing hazard.[1]
How the scoring works
- You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard; the earlier you click as it starts to develop, the higher the score.[1]
- You do not lose points for a wrong click, but clicking continuously or in a pattern scores nothing.[1]
- You get one attempt at each clip and cannot review or change your responses.[1]
Pass marks at a glance
| Part | Pass mark | Points available |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice questions | 43 | 50 |
| Hazard perception | 44 | 75 |
Source: GOV.UK theory test guide, checked 14 October 2026.[1]
What to take, and arriving on the day
You must bring your UK photocard driving licence; with a Northern Ireland licence, bring the photocard and the paper counterpart.[1] If you only have a paper licence, bring a valid passport as well.[1] If you do not bring the right things, your test is cancelled and you do not get your money back.[1]
Arrive 15 minutes before your test starts; if you are late, the test is cancelled and you lose the fee.[1] There is no waiting area for anyone who comes with you.[1]
Turn off all electronic devices, including phones, smartwatches and fitness trackers, before you go in.[1] Personal items such as bags, coats, phones, watches and anything in your pockets go in a locker, or in a clear box if the centre has no lockers.[1] Staff will check your identity against your photo ID and carry out a security check, which includes showing your pockets are empty and a handheld metal detector.[1] It is illegal to cheat at the theory test, and you can be sent to prison and banned from driving.[1]
If you lose your licence, a replacement could take up to 15 days to arrive, so rearrange your test if it will not come in time.[1]
Results and your certificate
You get your result at the test centre.[1] If you pass, you are given a letter with a pass certificate number, which you need when you book and take your practical driving test.[1] The certificate number lasts 2 years, and if you have not passed your driving test by then, you must pass the theory test again.[1]
If you fail, the letter tells you which parts you did not score enough on.[1] You must retake the whole test, even if you passed one part, and you have to wait at least 3 working days.[1]
Changing or cancelling
You must give at least 3 full working days' notice to change or cancel your theory test, otherwise you pay again or lose the fee; Monday to Saturday count as working days, but Sundays and public holidays do not.[3][4] You can ask for a refund for short-notice changes caused by illness or injury, a bereavement, a school or college exam, or a stolen licence, if you send proof.[3]
Help if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition
Tell DVSA when you book.[1] The support available includes:[1]
- hearing the test through headphones, in English or Welsh, as many times as you need
- with proof of a reading difficulty: extra time on the multiple-choice part, someone to read the screen and record your answers, or someone to reword the questions (technical terms stay the same)
- taking the test in British Sign Language, or bringing a BSL interpreter or lip speaker at no extra fee
- using a hearing loop
The test can only be taken in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.[1] If you use a medical monitoring device, DVSA must have approved it when you booked.[1]
What comes next
Once you have your certificate number you can book your practical test; see how to book or change your driving test and preparing for your driving test.
Sources
Last checked against the cited sources on 14 October 2026. PassNav is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA, DVLA or TomTom. Our guides are prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources cited on each page. Rules and fees change — for current legal requirements and booking rules, always check GOV.UK. This is general guidance and does not replace professional driving instruction. Spotted something out of date? Email passnav@smartaisolution.co.uk — see our editorial policy.