UK driving theory test
To get a full car driving licence in Great Britain you usually need to pass the DVSA theory test before the practical driving test. It has two parts taken in one sitting, multiple-choice questions and hazard perception, and you must pass both.
Practise for the theory test
The test at a glance
- Multiple choice50 questions in 57 minutes
- Pass mark43 out of 50 in the multiple-choice part
- Hazard perception14 video clips, pass at 44 out of 75
- Fee£23 for the car theory test
- AgeFrom your 17th birthday, with a provisional licence
- Pass certificateValid for 2 years
How the two parts work
| Part | What happens | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice questions | 50 questions in 57 minutes; 3 of them are about a short silent video | 43 out of 50 |
| Hazard perception | 14 clips of everyday road scenes; click as a developing hazard starts, up to 5 points each | 44 out of 75 |
In the first part you can flag and change answers, then take a break of up to 3 minutes. In hazard perception you get one attempt per clip, and clicking continuously or in a pattern scores nothing.
Booking and test day
- Before booking: you need a provisional driving licence; book on GOV.UK with your licence number, an email address and a card.
- Where you live: you must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months.
- What to take: your UK photocard driving licence; without the right documents the test is cancelled and you lose the fee.
- Arrival: at least 15 minutes before the start; phones, watches and bags go in a locker.
- Age: from 17, or from 16 if you get or have applied for the higher rate of the PIP mobility component.
Results and retakes
- Result: given at the test centre on the day.
- If you pass: you get a pass certificate number, needed to book the driving test; it lasts 2 years.
- If you fail: you take both parts again, even if you passed one, after at least 3 working days.
Good to know
- Language: the test is in English or Welsh, or in British Sign Language; you can also ask to hear it through headphones.
- Extra support: with proof of a reading difficulty, DVSA can allow extra time, a reader or someone to reword the questions.
- What it is based on: the questions draw on The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and Driving – the essential skills.
- No new test needed: to upgrade an automatic car licence to a manual one.
- Motorcycle licence holders: still need to pass the car theory test before the car driving test.
Independent practice
Our questions are original, written by FreeExamPath from The Highway Code. They are not DVSA revision questions, which may only be used under a DVSA licence, and FreeExamPath is not affiliated with DVSA.
Official information
Questions about the driving theory test
How many questions are in the theory test and what is the pass mark?
The multiple-choice part has 50 questions in 57 minutes and you need 43 correct. In hazard perception you need 44 out of 75 over 14 clips.
How much does the driving theory test cost?
£23 for the car theory test, booked on GOV.UK.
How long does a theory test pass last?
Your pass certificate number lasts 2 years. If you have not passed the driving test by then, you take the theory test again.
Are these the real DVSA questions?
No. They are FreeExamPath's own questions written from The Highway Code, each with an explanation. DVSA's free practice tests are linked from GOV.UK.
Official sources (5)
- Car theory test — GOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), checked 19 October 2026
- Book your theory test — GOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), checked 19 October 2026
- Take a practice theory test — GOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), checked 19 October 2026
- The Highway Code — GOV.UK (Department for Transport), checked 19 October 2026
- Know your traffic signs — GOV.UK (Department for Transport), checked 19 October 2026