You can take your driving theory test when you're 17 and hold a provisional driving licence.
You can book online or you can call freephone on 0300 200 1122.
Apply for your provisional driving licence
The Theory test consists of two parts - multiple choice questions and hazard perception. Both tests will be taken on the same day at the same venue. You must pass both the multiple choice and hazard perception parts in one session for a successful theory test. You'll find out if you were successful shortly after completing both parts of the test. If you fail either part of the theory test, you must wait three clear working days before you can resit the entire test again.
Take an official practice theory test.
The multiple choice test is taken first and consists of 50 questions. Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how it works. You can choose to do a practice session of multiple-choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin. You can move between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. Simply use the touch screen computer to answer the questions, you have 57 minutes to complete the test and must answer 43 questions correctly to pass.
Watch hazard perception examples.
The hazard perception test is taken second and consists of 14 video clips each containing one or more developing hazards, there are 15 developing hazards in the whole test. You'll be shown a short video clip of how it works before you start the test. To achieve a high score you must watch each video and click the mouse as soon as you see a developing hazard, you can get a maximum of 5 points per hazard and your score is based upon how early you respond to each developing hazards. To pass, you need to score 44 out of a possible 75 points.
Think of a parked car on the side of the road, when you first see it, it isn't doing anything - it's just a parked car. If you respond at this point, you wouldn't score any marks, but you wouldn't lose any marks either. When you get closer to the car, you notice that its right-hand indicator starts to flash. This would make you think that the driver was going to move away. The hazard is now developing and a response at this point would score marks. The indicator coming on is a sign that the car has changed from a potential hazard into a developing hazard. When you get closer to the car, you'll probably see it start to move away from the side of the road. You should make another response at this point.
No, the computer detects overclicking and clicking patterns, if the computer thinks you were clicking at random, you will lose all points for that particular video clip.
You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.
If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and paper counterpart licence.