How to pass your theory test: a study plan

The short answer

Learn from the three books the questions are based on: The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and Driving: the essential skills. Then take practice tests to check how much you have learnt. Practise hazard perception too: it is a separate part of the test, with its own clips.

Source: Theory test: revision and practice, GOV.UK

Nobody can promise you a pass, but you can plan for one. These five steps follow what GOV.UK says the test asks of you. Drivoku does not include hazard perception practice.

Take the timed practice quiz

This text was written with AI help, checked against GOV.UK and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .

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These are the rules for Great Britain, from GOV.UK. In Northern Ireland the theory test is run by the DVA: see nidirect.

Contents
  1. What the test asks of you
  2. Step 1: learn from the three books
  3. Step 2: practise with mock tests
  4. Step 3: practise hazard perception
  5. Step 4: get test day right
  6. Step 5: use the tools on the screen
  7. If it does not go to plan

What the test asks of you

The car theory test has two parts, and you must pass both at the same sitting. If you fail one part, you take the whole test again (GOV.UK: pass mark and test result).

  • Multiple-choice questions: 50 questions in 57 minutes. Three of them are about a short video. You need 43 out of 50.
  • Hazard perception: 14 video clips. You score up to 5 points for each developing hazard, and you need 44 out of 75.

The full details are in the UK car theory test, explained.

Step 1: learn from the three books

GOV.UK says the multiple-choice questions are based on three books:

  1. The Highway Code
  2. Know your traffic signs
  3. Driving: the essential skills

Study these to learn the rules and skills you will be tested on. The Highway Code and Know your traffic signs are free on GOV.UK, and you can buy all three from most bookshops. Our road signs pages and Highway Code quizzes help with the first two.

Step 2: practise with mock tests

Mock tests show you which topics still cost you marks.

Use the pass-mark checker to see how many answers you can get wrong. In the multiple-choice part you can get up to 7 wrong and still pass that part.

Step 3: practise hazard perception

Hazard perception is a separate part with its own pass mark. Drivoku does not include hazard perception practice, so use other tools for this step.

  • GOV.UK has a practice hazard perception test with 3 free clips. The clips are not used in the real test, but they show you how it works.
  • GOV.UK also lists the official DVSA hazard perception apps and the DVSA theory test kit, which you can buy.
  • You will not score anything if you click all the time or in a pattern. Click when you see a hazard start to develop.

Read how the hazard perception test works for the scoring.

Step 4: get test day right

Take your UK photocard driving licence. If you have an old paper licence, take a valid passport too. If you do not take the right things, your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back. Use our theory test day checklist to pack the night before.

Step 5: use the tools on the screen

  • Before the questions start, you get instructions and a practice question to get used to the screens.
  • You can flag questions you want to come back to later.
  • Three of the questions are about one short video. You can watch the short video as many times as you like.
  • Before hazard perception starts, you are shown a video about how it works.

If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition, tell DVSA when you book. GOV.UK explains the support you can ask for.

If it does not go to plan

Your result letter tells you which parts you did not score enough points on. You book the whole test again, for a date at least 3 working days away. Read what to do after a failed theory test.

Common questions

How many questions can I get wrong in the theory test?

Up to 7 in the multiple-choice part. You need 43 out of 50, and you also need 44 out of 75 in hazard perception at the same sitting.

What should I revise from?

The three books the questions are based on: The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and Driving: the essential skills.

Are mock test questions the real test questions?

No. GOV.UK says its practice questions are not used in the real test, but they are based on the same topics. Our questions are our own and are not DVSA questions either.

Does Drivoku help with hazard perception?

No. Drivoku does not include hazard perception practice. GOV.UK has 3 free practice clips and lists the official DVSA apps.

Sources

(9)
  1. Theory test: revision and practice, GOV.UK
  2. Take a driving theory test practice test, GOV.UK
  3. Theory test: multiple-choice questions, GOV.UK
  4. Theory test: hazard perception test, GOV.UK
  5. Theory test: pass mark and test result, GOV.UK
  6. The Highway Code, GOV.UK
  7. Know your traffic signs, GOV.UK
  8. Theory test: what to take to your test, GOV.UK
  9. Theory test: if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition, GOV.UK

Source: GOV.UK, checked 1 November 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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