Contents
You’ll be required to answer a set of multiple-choice questions during the first part of your test. After this, you’ll be asked to identify a number of developing hazards while reviewing a series of video clips. You must achieve the required theory test pass mark and secure your theory test pass certificate.
In this article, we’ll provide information about the scoring system assessors use to grade theory test papers. While discussing this topic, we’ll confirm the volume of points you’ll need to score to pass each part of the assessment. By reading our informative guide, you’ll also gain an awareness of what type of content you’ll cover during the theory test. Furthermore, you’ll access a basic overview of national pass rates.
Summary of UK Theory Test Pass Marks
Before reading the rest of the article, see a summary of the pass marks for the theory test below.
| Vehicle Category | Multiple-Choice Pass Mark | Hazard Perception Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Car (Category B) | 43 out of 50 questions | 44 out of 75 (14 video clips) |
| Motorcycle (Category A) | 43 out of 50 questions | 44 out of 75 (14 video clips) |
| LGV / HGV (Large Goods Vehicle) | 85 out of 100 questions | 67 out of 100 (19 video clips) |
| PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) | 85 out of 100 questions | 67 out of 100 (19 video clips) |
| ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) | 85 out of 100 questions (min. 20 correct in each of 4 categories) | 57 out of 75 (14 video clips) |
Additional details
- Car and Motorcycle Tests:
- Multiple-choice section: 50 questions (43 correct to pass) in 57 minutes.
- Hazard perception: 14 clips (one clip has two hazards).
- LGV/HGV and PCV Tests:
- Multiple-choice section: 100 questions (85 correct to pass) in 115 minutes.
- Hazard perception: 19 clips, with 20 hazards in total.
- ADI Theory Test (Part 1):
- 100 multiple-choice questions, divided into four categories:
- Road procedure
- Traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge
- Driving test, disabilities, and the law
- Publications and instructional techniques
- Must achieve at least 85 correct answers overall, with at least 20 correct answers in each category.
- Hazard perception: 14 video clips (57 out of 75 to pass).
- 100 multiple-choice questions, divided into four categories:
Note:
- Candidates must pass both sections simultaneously to successfully complete the theory test.
- If you fail one part, you must retake the entire test.
Multiple-choice module
The first part of the test requires you to demonstrate your theoretical knowledge of a range of driving-specific themes. You’ll be asked questions about the Highway Code, road traffic signs, road safety legislation, licensing protocols, appropriate driving behaviours, and other related topics. When providing your responses, you may need to identify the meaning of signage, show a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations that govern UK roads, confirm how you would adjust your driving style to accommodate certain weather conditions, and highlight the risks of operating a vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
After registering at the test centre reception, take a seat at your allocated computer station. You’ll then be able to access a short tutorial about the assessment. This will talk you through the format and structure of the multiple-choice section of the test, and outline some sample questions. You’ll also have the chance to take a short practice test, enabling you to answer some realistic multiple-choice questions. Although taking the practice test is not a compulsory requirement, we would strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity. It will enable you to build some momentum ahead of the actual test, and hopefully serve to provide some reassurance. Please note that any answers you submit during the practice test will not count towards your overall score.
Multiple-choice Theory Test pass mark
The multiple-choice module consists of 50 questions. You’ll have a maximum of 57 minutes to provide your answer to these questions. However, most candidates are able to complete this part of the test within approximately 45 minutes. Please ensure you leave enough time to respond to every question. If you’re unsure of any answers, it’s always worth submitting a guess (preferably an educated one!)
If any questions are proving particularly difficult, we would advise you to use the test’s useful flagging tool. This will allow you to bookmark any of the 50 questions provided, and return to the trickier ones at the end of your test. This reduces the risk of wasting too much time trying to answer challenging questions. Furthermore, it enables you to maintain your flow and continue increasing your score without disruption.
To pass the multiple-choice module, you must answer at least 43 of the 50 questions correctly. Therefore, you must score 86% or higher to achieve the required pass mark. As this is a relatively high-scoring threshold, you’ll need to have a robust understanding of all relevant topics to pass. Make sure you prepare thoroughly for this assessment. Invest as much as studying time as possible in the weeks leading up to your test date. Please ensure you our learning materials, and take several mock tests as part of your revision efforts.
Hazard Perception module
After completing the multiple-choice section of this assessment, you’ll move on to the hazard perception module. However, you’ll have the opportunity to take a quick break first. This enables you to re-compose yourself before conducting the second part of your test. You’ll have approximately five minutes to grab a drink of water, stretch your legs, and prepare your headphones ahead of the hazard perception exercises.
You’ll then be given access to a pre-test tutorial, similar to the one you’ll have watched before answering the previous multiple-choice questions. Again, this tutorial will clearly explain the way this part of the test works. As the instructions are a little more detailed than those given ahead of the multiple-choice module, this is a verbally delivered tutorial. Therefore, you’ll need to wear a set of headphones to listen to the instructions given.
Once you’ve listened to the tutorial, you’ll commence watching a series of video clips. In each video, you’ll see footage of a typical scenario you may experience while driving a vehicle on a public road.
Due to the positioning of the camera, you’ll watch events unfold from a driver’s perspective. Although confined to the safety of the test centre, this creates the sense that you’re in control of the vehicle being driven in the video clip. Therefore, it will feel like this part of the test will take place in a more ‘realistic’ environment.
Identifying developing hazards
As soon as the footage starts, you should start looking for developing hazards. A developing hazard is something that causes a driver to take direct action, such as reducing their speed, changing direction, or emitting a signal (i.e. using indicators, warning lights, etc.) If not appropriately addressed, a hazard can evolve into a serious threat and therefore undermine the safety of yourself or other road users.
Therefore, swift and decisive action must be taken to mitigate these risks.
Various types of developing hazards are depicted in the video clips. You may encounter:
- A child suddenly steps onto the road after walking along the pavement edge.
- A cyclist turning into your road from a nearby junction.
- Vehicles reversing into a main road from a driveway or side street.
- Elderly pedestrians approaching crossing points.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of potential developing hazards that may be shown. However, these are some of the common occurrences you’ll see when reviewing the footage.
The second you notice a developing hazard, you must click your mouse as soon as possible. This demonstrates to the assessor that you can quickly identify developing hazards while driving, and react to such risks at an appropriate pace. The volume of points you’ll receive is dependent on the speed of your response time. The quicker you click the mouse, the more points you’ll attain. If the software notices that you are clicking repeatedly or in a specific pattern (i.e. every few seconds), it will result in you scoring zero points for that specific clip. Therefore, we would strongly discourage you from taking this approach – no matter how tempting it may be!
Hazard Perception Test pass mark
You will watch 14 video clips in total. A single developing hazard will be shown in 13 of these clips, with one random video containing two potential risks. Candidates can score up to five points when identifying each developing hazard. Therefore, you’ll be able to achieve a maximum score of 75 points (15 hazards x 5 points apiece). Please note it will take approximately 15 minutes to watch all 14 video clips. The footage cannot be slowed down, and you won’t be able to pause or rewind the video clips at any stage.
To pass this portion of the test, you must score at least 44 points. This equates to an overall score of 58.6%, and therefore the hazard perception segment has a much lower pass threshold than the multiple-choice module. However, the second part of the test is widely considered to be much tougher than the first. Therefore, many candidates actually consider it harder to successfully navigate the hazard perception part of this assessment. As referenced earlier, please ensure you take the opportunity to sit plenty of mock tests. These are readily available online, and enable you to familiarise yourself with the style and layout of the video clips, and develop your mouse-clicking skills!
Have you achieved the required Theory Test pass mark?
As soon as you’ve fully completed the test, you’ll be able to find out how your results. Upon reporting to the test centre reception desk, you’ll receive an outcome letter. This document will confirm the result of your test, and therefore whether or not you’ve managed to secure a pass score.
Remember, you must achieve the required grade in both the multiple-choice and hazard perception modules to earn your theory test pass certificate.
The outcome letter will provide a breakdown of your test results. You’ll find out which topics you struggled with most when tackling the multiple-choice questions, and how many points you accrued during each hazard perception exercise. So, regardless of whether you passed or failed your theory test, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how you performed. This will enable you to be more targeted in your revision efforts should you need to re-sit the test, and generally help you to become a better driver.
If you passed the assessment, your outcome letter will confirm you achieved the required score in each module. This will mean that you answered less than eight multiple-choice questions incorrectly, and received 44 points or more in the hazard perception module. Furthermore, you’ll receive an official theory test pass certificate. At the top of this document, you’ll find your pass certificate number and an expiry date. You must book and pass the practical driving test before your certificate expires, otherwise, you’ll be required to sit both parts of your theory test again.
Remain positive and understand the task ahead
Please don’t be disheartened if you don’t manage to pass the theory test at the first time of asking. Although pass rates were significantly higher before changes to the testing criteria were introduced just over a decade ago, nowadays less than half of candidates achieve the required score. Therefore, it may take you – and a decent number of your peers – several attempts to pass.
To give you the best chance of passing, ensure you create and stick to a solid revision plan, fully understand the format of the assessment, and be aware of exactly how many points you need to score in each section of the test.
Here’s a comprehensive summary of the UK theory test pass marks for all vehicle categories, including ADI (Approved Driving Instructor):