When you start learning to drive one of the first things you will have to study for is the theory test. Currently the theory test comprises of two parts:

1. 50 Multiple choice questions

2. 14 Hazard perception clips run in a video window

The first part requires that you answer at least 43 out of the 50 questions correctly in order to pass. These questions are randomly selected from the DSA question bank and cover 14 different areas that you need to study for. If you have any special needs such as needing someone to read the questions for you this is organised when you book the theory test. The questions are presented on a touch screen and are multiple choice so you have to pick the correct answer(s) from the list provided, you can also choose to flag any question not sure about to review and answer at the end of the test.

The second part of the test is the hazard perception which is a series of video clips taken from inside the car while it drives along and you have to identify hazards which the car has to react to. This part of the test requires practice in order to fully understand what to look for and how to react. Hazards are split into two types:

Hazards – things that you need to be aware of but take no action initially

Developing Hazards – These are the hazards that now require you to take action.

Example: You are driving down the road and spot a pedestrian walking along the side of the road, this would be classed as a hazard but nothing more as it does not require you to react apart from being aware of the potential for danger. As you drive on the pedestrian starts to move close to the kerb and looks round over his shoulder where he turns to cross the road, This hazard has now developed into a developing hazard and requires action from you to slow down and be ready to stop if the pedestrian carries on walking onto the road.

The scoring window on the hazard perception starts at 5 for the start of a developing hazard and finishes at 0 when it is too late to avoid the developing hazard. You can click more than once but don’t click unnecessarily as the program will discount this as cheating and return a score of 0. The best solution to not clicking wildly is to only click when you see the hazard develop, then if the hazard continues to develop it is worth clicking once more to make sure you register within the scoring window. As you practice this section you will get use to the best method of clicking and be able to obtain the pass mark which is 44 out of 75.

There are many different products you can buy to help you study you can talk to your instructor who should be able to help you in lessons with this or there are a number of online theory test sites of which are available.

James Cornwell is a Driving Instructor with many years experience and runs a theory test website for pupils to practice and pass this part of the driving theory test.