You cannot apply for the practical test until you have passed the theory test.
You will need to have a provisional licence to take the theory test
The theory test is divided into 2 parts (this is taken at a different test center to the practical test)
The first part is the multiple choice questions.
The second is the hazard perception element.
You will take both parts on the same day and you will need to pass both parts on the same day.
You will be using a touch screen computer.
Before starting the questions you will be given 15 min's to practice using the equipment. The staff will be at hand to help you during this time.
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the test time ( allows them to check you in ).
Remember to bring the following items with you.
Both parts of your valid provisional driving licence for the test type you are going to take.
Or if you don't have a photo licence acceptable proof of identity.
It is a legal requirement to produce your licence with photographic evidence. If you do not bring these items with you, or you are late for your appointment you will not be allowed to sit your test and you will lose your fee.
First part: Multiple choice element
First you will be shown a Confirmation screen which confirms your name and the category of the test you are taking.
Multiple choice practice session.
The practice session on the computer will explain to you how to work though the multiple choice element of the test and how to chooses and check your answers. The practice questions should allow you to become comfortable with how the test will work. These questions do not carry any marks towards your test result.
Multiple choice element.
The multiple choice section is made up of 50 random questions from a bank of around 950.
You must answer each question. But you will be able to to check questions and change answers throughout the test by using the flag and review button.
You will have 57 min's to answer the 50 questions and you will need to get 43 correct.
Notes:
read the questions and ALL the possible answers carefully.
Be careful, for some questions you may have to mark more than one answer.
You will have a short break (3 minutes) before starting the second part of your theoty test, which tests your hazard perception skills. You cannot leave your desk during this break.
Second part: Hazard perception element
Hazard perception is the ability and skill to detect situations as early as possible and take appropriate avoiding action, if necessary during driving eg changing speed or direction.
The hazard perception takes about 15 min's.
Before you start this section you will be show a brief instruction video on how the test works. (use the headphones for this section). You can watch this video twice if you nee to. There is no sound on the test clips.
You will be shown 14 randomly selected video clips one of these will have 2 hazards, the rest 1 (from a bank of around 200). You can only see the clips once.
The hazard perception element test your ability to look at and understand the whole road scene and to recognise possible hazards at an early stage, as they develop
As soon as you see a hazard developing you will need to indicate this by clicking the right or left mouse button.
You will only see the test clips once, so you will need to concentrate. You cannot go back and you cannot change your response.
When you press one of the mouse buttons the video will not stop or slow down, but you will see a red flag appear at the bottom of the screen each time you press. This red flag shows that your response has been recorded.
A developing hazard is something will make a driver need to change speed or direction.
As the clips on the test are filmed on real roads they contain all types of hazards. The only hazards you be scored on are the developing one. Don't worry, you wont lose points for responding to other hazards.
You will be marked on your response time, so the sooner the response is made the more points you will get.
Your response to the clips will be automatically recorded by the computer. They will be compared to marks set by DSA driving experts. The marking for each scoreable hazard is split into 5 parts . If you respond in the first part you will get 5 points, in the second 4 points, and so on down to 1 point. If you fail to respond within the marked area of the clip, or are responding in an unacceptable manner, 0 points will be given for that clip.
The earlier you pick up on the clues and press the mouse button to record that you have seen a hazard the higher your score. But, if you have pressed the button to show you have noticed a hazard and the situation changes, for example because another vehicle comes into view, you may need to press the button again. You will need to be careful though. Because if you make lots of unnecessary responses in a very short space of time or very repetitive throughout the clip you will score 0 for that clip if this happens you will see a warning message on the screen at the end of the clip.
The Pass mark is 44 out of 75
At the end of the test you will be given your result.
REMEMBER YOU NEED TO REVISE FOR BOTH PARTS
