Driving theory test 2026: how it works and how to pass both parts

The UK car theory test has two parts, taken on the same day. First come 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes; you need 43 to pass. Then comes hazard perception: 14 video clips, and you need 44 out of 75. It costs £23 and you book it only on gov.uk.

Before you start, you get instructions and a practice question to learn the screens. Each question shows several possible answers and you pick the right one. Three questions are about a short, silent video of a normal driving situation, for example driving through a town centre or on a country road. You can watch it as many times as you like.

You can flag a question and come back to it, and you can change any answer at any point. You can finish early once you’ve answered every question.

A short video explains how this part works. Then you watch 14 clips of everyday road scenes. Each clip has at least one developing hazard; one clip has two. You click the mouse as soon as you see a hazard start to develop.

The two parts are one test. If you pass one part and fail the other, you fail the whole test and retake both parts next time.

Sources: gov.uk, Multiple-choice questions, Hazard perception test, Pass mark and result.

Official pass marks: 43 out of 50 for multiple choice and 44 out of 75 for hazard perception. Our calculations from those figures:

• Multiple choice: 43 of 50 is 86%, so you can get 7 questions wrong. 57 minutes for 50 questions gives you about 68 seconds per question.
• Hazard perception: 14 clips with one hazard each, plus one clip with a second hazard, make 15 scoring hazards. At up to 5 points each, that’s 15 × 5 = 75. 44 of 75 is about 59%: an average of roughly 3 points per hazard.

A developing hazard is something that would make you take action, like changing speed or direction. gov.uk gives this example, in our words: a car parked at the side of the road isn’t a hazard while it stays still. It becomes a developing hazard when its indicator comes on and it starts to pull out.

• The earlier you click once the hazard starts to develop, the higher your score, up to 5 points.
• You don’t lose points for clicking at the wrong moment.
• If you click continuously or in a pattern, you score zero for that clip.
• You get one attempt at each clip. You can’t review or change your responses.

Practice tip (our advice): click when the hazard starts to develop, and click again a moment later if it keeps developing. That covers the scoring window without looking like a pattern. Read the official hazard perception guide before your first mock.

DVSA draws the 50 questions from a bank of over 700. They cover topics from road signs and traffic laws to vehicle safety, hazard awareness and first aid. The questions are based on three books:

• The Highway Code
• Know your traffic signs
• Driving – the essential skills

In our words: expect questions on stopping distances, rules at junctions and roundabouts, motorway driving, vulnerable road users, vehicle checks, safety margins in bad weather, documents and what to do after an incident.

From 2026, DVSA added enhanced CPR content and, for the first time, questions about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the question bank. The test format, time and pass marks haven’t changed. See DVSA, new theory test questions.

The questions in the free gov.uk test aren’t used in the real test, but they cover the same topics. Third-party sites vary: check they use 50 questions, 57 minutes and the 43/50 pass mark. Sources: gov.uk, Revision and practice, Take a practice theory test.

Our suggestion, not an official rule:

1. Read the Highway Code by topic. One topic at a time, with the road signs book next to it.
2. Practise questions by topic. Note the topics where you drop marks.
3. Do full timed mocks. 50 questions in 57 minutes, no pausing.
4. Add hazard clips. Start with the 3 free gov.uk clips, then more if you need them.
5. Go back to weak topics until you score comfortably above 43 and 44 several times in a row.

• Fee: £23 for a car or motorcycle theory test.
• You need a provisional driving licence (£34 to £43, according to gov.uk), your licence number, an email address and a credit or debit card.
• Residence: you must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the test.
• Adjustments: say when you book if you have a reading difficulty, a health condition or a disability.
• Help: DVSA on 0300 200 1122.

Book on gov.uk, Book your theory test. We don’t sell or book tests.

Northern Ireland has its own booking service and rules. See nidirect, Taking the theory test.

• Your UK photocard driving licence. With a Northern Ireland photocard licence, bring the paper counterpart as well.
• With an old paper licence, bring a valid passport as well.
• If your name has changed, bring proof, such as a marriage certificate.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early. If you’re late, the test is cancelled and you lose your money.
• Turn off your phone, smartwatch and other devices before you go in. Personal items go in a locker.

Without the right documents your test is cancelled and you don’t get your money back. Sources: gov.uk, What to take, When you arrive at the test centre.

• Voiceover in English or Welsh.
• With proof (for example from a teacher, a doctor or an occupational therapist): extra time, someone to read the questions and record your answers, or someone to reword the questions.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: British Sign Language on screen, a BSL interpreter at no extra cost, or a lip speaker.

Ask when you book. Details: gov.uk, Reading difficulty, disability or health condition.

No. In England, Scotland and Wales you can only take the theory test in English or Welsh, or with British Sign Language. If English isn’t your first language, practise with the English-language materials you’ll see on the day.

• Result: you get it at the test centre after the test.
• If you pass: you get a pass certificate number. You need it to book your driving test, and it’s valid for 2 years. Since 2026, you must book and manage your car driving test yourself, with a limit of 2 changes (gov.uk, 2026 booking rules).
• If you fail: you retake both parts. You must wait at least 3 working days.

Verified on 17/10/2026 against gov.uk (DVSA). Independent guide. Not affiliated with DVSA or the UK Government.

Written and maintained by Evgeny Goncharov, building TechConcepts.

Sources: Multiple-choice questions, Hazard perception test, Pass mark and result, Book your theory test, What to take, Revision and practice, Practice theory test, Reading difficulty, disability or health condition, DVSA: CPR and AED questions, Motorcycle theory test, nidirect.

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