About the DSA Theory Test
The DSA Theory test for car drivers is split into 2 parts. The multiple choice/response quiz and the hazard perception test.

Part 1 - The multiple choice/response quiz
The multiple choice / response quiz for car drivers consists of 35 questions. Associated with each question is a list of potential answers.  You need to select the correct answer, or indeed answers, by touching the appropriate area of the computer screen. You will be given 40 minutes to complete the test. To pass you need to correctly answer 30 out of the 35 questions (i.e. 86%).

Before you start the actual quiz a short video tutorial will explain how the quiz should be undertaken. You will also be given the opportunity to complete some practice questions to make sure you are familiar with the computer screens. As you can see from the layout of the theory test  computer screens below, you move from one question to the next by touching the arrowed buttons at the bottom.



The review screen below enables you to check all the questions and your answers from the start. Alternatively you can just review those questions flagged or not fully answered.

Part 2 - Hazard Perception Test
This part of the theory test will start with a short tutorial video played on the computer screen that will explain how the hazard perception test works and what you are required to do. You would then be shown 14 video clips of approximately one minute each. There will be 15 hazards to find - at least one on each clip. However, one clip will have 2 hazards. The clips will not contain any sound - just like the old silent movies.

Each clip will start with a freeze frame of the start of the video and a count down from 10 will commence. At the end of the count down the clip will start to play and you will be required to click the mouse each time you see a potential hazard. To let you know that the program has registered your click a red flag will appear on a grey band across the bottom of the screen - one flag for each click you make in any particular clip. At the end of the clip all the flags will be removed before you start the next clip. Although each clip contains several potential hazards only the one that materialises into a real hazard and involves other road users is marked (i.e. that required the driver to take some form of action to avoid the hazard).

The score you obtain will be dependant upon how quickly you spot the potential hazard as it materialises. The time from when the hazard could be potentially seen on the screen to when the vehicle arrives at the hazard is the time frame or window used to determine your score. This window of time is divided into 5 equal segments. If you click the mouse while in the first segment (i.e. just has the potential hazard appears) you will obtain the maximum score of 5 points. If you click in the second segment of this window of time you will score 4 points, then 3, then 2 and then in the last segment just 1. This is accurate to one twenty fifth of a second. If you don't click the mouse in this window of time you will score nothing in respect to that hazard.

If you try to cheat the system by clicking the button repeatedly the program will pick this up by looking at the number of clicks over the clip as a whole and the pattern of clicks. Within the scoring window no such checks are made and if you click several times in this window only the first click will be used to determine your score (i.e. the highest scoring click). There is a certain maximum permitted which is over the potential hazards that anybody could reasonably perceive. The computer program also looks for any regular pattern of repeated clicking. If this is detected a message window will appear at the end of the clip letting you know that an irregular clicking activity was detected and that as a result the score for that clip will be zero.

When the clip ends the screen will turn black for a few seconds before the freeze frame for the next video clip appears and the count down commences again warning you to get ready. This pattern is repeated until all 14 video clips have been shown.

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you will be given the option to complete a customer care survey if you so wish. You will then be directed to leave the room and collect your score for the 2 parts of the exam. The maximum score that can be obtained for the hazard perception part of the theory test is 75 (i.e. 15x5). To pass the hazard perception part of the Car, moped and motorcycle theory test you must obtain a score of 42. This pass mark will gradually be increased to 44 by September 2003. To pass the theory test you must pass both parts. If you fail either part you are required to take both parts of the test again.

Booking the test
You can obtain a theory test application form from your driving instructor, any driving or theory test centre or by telephoning the theory test enquiry line on 0870 0101 372 or 0845 600 6700 in Northern Ireland, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Welsh speakers can also book on 0870 0100 372. If you are deaf and need a minicom machine telephone 0870 0106 372. If you are able to pay by credit or debit card you can book a theory test appointment direct on the same numbers without the need to complete an application form. You will however, need to quote your driver number from your provisional driving licence. Upon booking you will be given a booking number and sent an appointment card as confirmation within 4 days. Please note you can apply for you car provisional driving licence up to three months before your seventeenth birthday. This would enable you to book your theory test on your seventeenth birthday or shortly thereafter.

Cancelling the test
You are required to give a minimum of three clear working days notice of your decision to cancel or postpone your test, otherwise you will lose your test fee.

Arranging a re-test
If you fail the test you will have to wait a minimum of three clear working days before you can take the test again.

Other languages supported
The test is not only available in English, the following languages are also supported:

Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish,  Tamil,  Turkish,  Urdu, Welsh.

Through a headset you will be able to listen to the test being read in any of the above languages. In Northern Ireland other language tests are only available in Cantonese, Bengali and Urdu.

Other special requirements
The DSA are required to make every effort to ensure that the theory test can be taken by all candidates. However, it is important that you discuss your needs with them when booking the test.

To help candidates with dyslexia or other reading problems a headset can be provided with an English language voice-over. You can also ask for up to double the normal time to complete the test. If you have any queries please ring the number stated earlier and ask for the Special Needs section.

If you cannot read or write in any of the languages provided, you are allowed to bring a translator with you. However, it must be a DSA approved translator.

Foreign licence holders
If your driving licence was issued outside of the EEA you will need to check with the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (telephone 01792 772151) to determine if your licence is valid in the UK.

At the test centre
You must take one of the following items with you to the test centre.

1. Both parts of your signed photocard driving licence or;
2. your signed driving licence and photographic identification.

It would also be helpful if you take your appointment card or a note of your booking number.

Acceptable forms of photographic identification include:

• Your photocard driving licence.
• Your passport, which doesn’t have to be a British passport.
• An employers identity or workplace pass bearing your photograph and name or signature or both.
• Trade union card bearing your photograph and signature.
• School Bus Pass bearing the name of the issuing authority and your photograph and signature.
• A signed photograph, together with a suitable statement (as shown opposite) from a recognised figure of authority. Acceptable figures who can certify you as being the named person include: Approved Driving Instructor, Member of Parliament, medical practitioner, teacher (qualified), Justice of the Peace, police officer, civil servant (established), bank official, minister of religion, barrister or solicitor.

It is extremely important that you arrive in good time at the test centre so that the above documents can be checked. If you arrive after the start time you will not be allowed to sit the test and you will lose your test fee.