Changes To The Theory Test From 23rd January 2012

From 23rd January 2012 the multiple-choice questions used in the Theory Test will no longer be published.


Alternative questions to assist in learning and revision can be found in commercially available books, software and other Theory Test study materials.


The format of the Theory Test itself will not change.


See Changes to the theory test: the facts for more information.

Changes To Theory Test: DSA to stop publishing questions used in theory tests

The Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests. This will help to ensure that new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers. 

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

"The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

"No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers.

"I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads."

In September 2011 DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests. This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests.

Then, from 1 January 2012, DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published.

Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision.

Other companies which publish products containing DSA theory test questions will also no longer have access to the questions used in the tests.

Source: http://dsa.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SX728C-A78385E5

UK Road Signs Quiz - Prepare For Your Theory Test!

How well do YOU know your road signs?

How good are you at identifying road signs?

Can you tell the difference between the "ahead only" sign and the sign for "one-way traffic"? Do you get the signs for "no stopping" and "no waiting" mixed up? Even drivers with many years experience get confused by unfamiliar road signs!

When you take your Theory Test you'll be expected to be able to identify several UK traffic signs during the test and when you're driving, a thorough knowledge of traffic signs and road markings will make you a much safer driver!

Test your knowledge of UK road signs with this free 20 question traffic signs quiz:
Know Your Traffic Signs Quiz

Do I Need To Have Driving Lessons Before Taking My Theory Test?

Do I need to take driving lessons before taking my theory test?
Do I need to have had 10 hours of driving lessons before I can apply for my theory test?

I've been asked both of these questions more than once over the past couple of weeks!

There's a simple answer to both questions - it's NO!

There is no requirement to take any driving lessons (let alone a specific number of hours) before taking the theory test.

In fact, it's not even necessary to have ever sat in a car, let alone driven one before taking the theory test!

You can take the theory test before you start having driving lessons if you want.
 
However...the theory test is designed to test your understanding of all sorts of Important Things to do with being a safe driver including road signs, proceedures, vehicle maintenance and the law and while it's perfectly possible to acquire all the information you need to pass your theory test from commercially available books and software, it can be a great help to have some practical experience of driving in order to consolidate what you've learning and to give all those dry facts about driving some real meaning...plus you can ask your driving instructor to explain and clarify anything you're not sure of - you can't do that with a book or a hazard perception CDROM!

So, no you don't NEED to have driving lessons before you take your theory test...but having some can help you to pass it!

Taking The UK Theory Test In Polish

If you're a learner driver and English isn't your first language, it can be hard to find easy to understand training resources and study materials. It makes study a lot easier if you can get books and software in your own language!

For Polish speakers, there's now a range of books and software available with translations of the Highway Code and the DSA Theory Test question bank from English into Polish. There’s also Hazard Perception test software now available in Polish.

For more details and to view the range of Polish Theory Test products available from Amazon, please see:

Taking The UK Theory Test In Polish

Example Case Study Questions For The Theory Test From 28 September 2009

From the 28th September 2009 you will need to answer a case study-style question as part of your Theory Test.

You will be presented with one case study where you will be required to answer 5 questions that are related to the scenario displayed on screen.

Each question will still be in the multiple choice format as with the other Theory Test questions.

You will still need to answer 50 multiple choice questions that are broken down as follows:

45 multiple choice questions
5 multiple choice questions that relate to the case study

The pass mark for the multiple choice section of the Theory Test remains at 43/50.

Click this link to see some examples of Case Study questions

The case study questions will test the knowledge of road signs, proceedures, laws etc you will have already gained while studying for your Theory Test, so provided you have prepared thoroughly, the case study shouldn't prove any more of a problem that the "standard" multiple choice questions!

For more information on what is involved in the Theory Test, how to prepare for it and suggested study materials, please see:

Theory & Hazard Perception Test

Booking Your Theory Test Online - WARNING - Don't Pay More Than You Need To!

You can book your Theory Test online via the offical website for all government services - DirectGov.

Booking your Theory Test is a very simple and straightforward proceedure which will only take a few minutes and you will pay ONLY for the test itself - there is no extra "booking fee" or "administration fee" added on.

There are a worrying number of official looking "Theory Test booking services" springing up on the internet who will book a test on your behalf - BUT they will charge you a sizeable booking fee on top of the test fee.

To book your Theory Test online via DirectGov you need;

* your driver number (from your driving licence)
* a credit or debit card with which to pay the £31.00 test fee

You can choose the date and time to suit you and if you later find you need to change the date or cancel your Theory Test you do so via DirectGov - you have complete control over your booking.

THERE'S NO NEED TO PAY EXTRA FOR YOUR THEORY TEST - book your test yourself directly with the DSA at the following link;

Online test booking service at the DirectGov website.

DSA Stop Issuing "Proper" Theory Test Pass Certificates

Theory Test pass certificates have been scrapped.

From 01 April 2008 the DSA stopped issuing separate Theory Test certificates. They now merely print the test pass number on the bottom of the computer generated results page that the test centre staff give to Theory Test candidates before they leave the test centre.












The Theory Test pass certificate used to look OK. It looked like a "proper" certificate and for many people gaining a pass and having a certificate to mark their achievement was tangible evidence that they'd succeeded and was rightly something for them to be proud of.

The Theory Test requires study and self-motivation. The test isn't so simple and straightforward that "everyone passes first time" - far from it, many people fail - so why does a Government agency treat laudable success with what amounts to derision?

This time last year it cost £21.50 to take the Theory Test. This increased to £28.50 in September 2007 and on 01 April 2008, a mere seven months later, the price increased again, this time to £30.00.

An increase of £8.50 - 39.5% over the course of a year. That's a big increase.

One can only assume that the "proper" Theory Test pass certificate has been abandoned in a cost-cutting measure...I would say perhaps that's fair enough, after all thrift is a virtue - if it weren't for the recent massive increases in the test fee...

How can they justify charging people more but giving them less?

It smacks of penny-pinching in the worst possible way...

Increase in cost of UK provisional driving licence and theory and practical driving test fees

On 01 April 2008 in what appears to be a rather unfunny April Fool's Day joke, the cost of a provisional driving licence and the fees for both the Theory and Practical tests increased.


The cost of a provisional driving licence is now £50.00. This time last year it was £38.00. It went up to £45.00 in May 2007. An increase of 31.5% in a year.


The Theory Test fee is now £30.00. This time last year it was £21.50. It increased to £28.50 in September 2007. An increase of 39.5% in a year.


The Practical Test fee for cars is now £56.50 (daytimes) / £67.00 (evenings & weekends). Prior to 01 April it was £48.50 (daytimes) / £58.00 (evenings & weekends). An increase of 16.5%/15.5% in a year.


Massive increases...well above the rate of inflation (around 2.5%), but the customer has no alternative but to pay if they want to drive legally.


Value for money?


Has the service improved?


How are increases of this size justified?


Beats me...