North East Driving Instructors
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The Driving Theory Test
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The current Theory Test is divided into two separate sections. The multiple choice exam and the hazard perception test.
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Section One - The Multiple Choice Exam
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The multiple choice exam consists of 35 questions. Associated with each question is a list of potential answers. You must choose the correct answer, or sometimes answers, by touching the appropriate area of the screen. You have 40 minutes to complete the test. In order to pass the test you must score 30 out of 35.
Before starting the exam there will be a short video tutorial which will explain how the exam should be taken. You will also have the opportunity to complete some practice questions to ensure that you understand the format of the test and are familiar with the computerised test system. On completion of the multiple choice exam, you move onto the hazard perception test.
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Section Two - The Hazard Perception Test
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This part of the theory test will begin with a short tutorial video played on the computer screen which will explain how this section of the test works and what you are required to do. You would then be shown 14 video clips of approximately one minute each. The will be 15 hazards to find, a minimum of one per clip. However, be aware that one clip will have two hazards. The clips do not contain any sound.
Each clip will start with a freeze frame of the start of the clip and there will be a countdown from 10 before the clip starts playing. You must click the mouse each time you see a potential hazard. To let you know that the program has registered your click, a red flag will appear on a grey bar at the bottom of the screen, one flag per click registered in any particular clip. At the end of each clip the flags are removed before the next clip begins. Although each of the clips contain several hazards, only the one that develops into a serious hazard and involves other road users is marked. For example, the hazard which forced a driver to take some form of action to avoid it.
The score you achieve will depend on how quickly you spot the potential hazard as it materialises. The time from when the hazard could be potentially seen on the screen to when the vehicle arrives at the hazard is the time frame used to determine your score. This time frame is divided into 5 segments. If you click the mouse during the first segment as the hazard appears, you will register a maximum 5 points. If you click during the second segment you will register 4 points, and so on. This is accurate to one 25th of a second. If you do not register a click during the time frame you will score no points for the clip.
If you try to cheat the computer by clicking repeatedly throughout the clip, the computer will notice this behaviour by registering any period of sustained or patterned clicking. In this event an error message will appear informing you that the system has detected irregular clicking and that your score for the clip will be zero.
At the end of the test you will be directed out of the testing room to collect your results to the two sections of the theory test. The maximum score for the hazard perception section of the test is 75 (15x5). To pass the hazard perception section you must score a minimum of 44 points. In order to pass the complete Theory Test you must pass both sections of the test. If you fail either section then you must take both sections of the test again.
The Theory Test can be booked by the same methods as the practical test show elsewhere in this section of the site. Cancellations of the theory test must be given three clear working days notice otherwise you will lose your test fee. If you fail the test you must wait three clear working days before you may take the test again.
The Theory Test is also supported in the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh. Through a headset you will be able to listen to the test being read in any of these languages.
If you have any special requirements then the DSA are required to make every effort to ensure that the theory test is available to be taken by all candidates. However, it is important that you discuss your needs with them when booking the test. To help candidates with dyslexia or other reading problems, a headset can be provided with an English language voice-over. You can also ask for up to double the normal time to complete the test. For any queries contact the DSA. If you cannot read or write in any of the languages listed above, you are allowed to bring with you a translator, however it must be a DSA Approved translator.
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