Information about the Theory Test

The car theory test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and mouse and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button. You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. If you pass one part and fail the other you will fail the whole test, and you will need to take both parts again

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Multiple Choice

Before the test starts you will be given instructions on how the test works.

You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

A question and four answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen or using the mouse. Some questions may require more than one answer. You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test. You will have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions.

The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 43

After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Hazard Perception

After the break you will then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes, in each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five. You will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

The pass mark for the hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.

How do I select the hazard?

It’s really simple. All you need to do when you spot a hazard is click either the left or right mouse button. The earlier you click means the more points you score. The later you click means you will score less. The points start from 5 to 0. By the way, if you randomly click in the hope that you might “catch” the hazard, then think again. The test will recognise random clicks and will simply zero your score. However you will not lose any points if you click at other potential hazards you see during the film clip.

At the end of the test

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you will be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions. You do not have to answer the questions if you do not want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions do not affect the result of the test.

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you will not be allowed to enter it again. You will then be given your result by the test centre staff.

Enjoy our FREE hazard perception film

Click here for more free theory test questions and  hazard perception tests

You may already have purchased a Hazard Perception DVD and had plenty of practice spotting hazards using the same film clips again and again. The problem is that by now you’ll be used to watching the same film clips and well aware when the hazard is about to occur. To help you with extra practice, Surepass have designed a unique film with a completely different set of hazards. It works in the same way as the actual hazard perception test, but, to help you further we’ve even highlighted the hazards to you. Good luck.