This link will take you to a full list of the DSA theory and practical test centres
You will need to pay for the test at the time you book it - if you have a credit card or switch card you will need to have it with you and you'll also need to give your driver number so have your driving licence handy - go here for a list of the various driving test fees www.dsa.gov.uk.

 To book your theory test on line click here

The theory test is in 2 parts; the first part is a multiple choice question section and the second part is a hazard perception test - both parts are conducted on computers at the examination centre and must be taken and passed on the same day. If you should pass one part and fail the other you will, unfortunately have to re take both parts. You must have passed the theory test to be eligible to take the practical driving test.

I encourage all my pupils to start their learning for the theory test as soon as they begin their driving lessons. It will take some time but if you use your training aids regularly your understanding of what we're learning in your driving lessons will develop quicker - and it's understanding driving that makes good drivers!

You will need some study aids to help you prepare for the theory tests - I recommend looking at our resource section to help you decide which. You will only need one or two books or CDs and there are some excellent ones available for learner drivers - you can buy them at a wide range of shops or go on line if you prefer - the resource section will show you how.


The multiple choice test

The first part of the test consists of 35 multiple choice questions, it's taken on a computer, you're given 40 minutes to complete the test - it's loads of time and I don't know anyone who has not been able to do the test within the time limit. The pass mark is 30 and you will find the test easy if you've done plenty of practice before you go for it.

If your taking the theory test in Hull you'll have to go to the test centre which is at Kingston House on Bond Street - check the location hasn't changed since I wrote this by going to www.dsa.gov.uk - when you go you'll need to take your driving licence or proof of identity and your appointment details. You'll find the people who conduct the test are very friendly and will explain exactly what to do and how the test is conducted on the day.

The test is taken in a room with several little booths - it's similar to the photo on the right, before you start, a video tutorial will explain how the test works and what you have to do, you'll be able to have a practice to get familiar with the computer and how the questions are answered - if you've been learning at home using the theory test CD you'll find the questions are exactly the same and you'll be very comfortably with the test. The only difference from practicing at home is that you move around the computer screen and select your answers by touching the screen instead of clicking the mouse. You will even be told (by the computer if you've missed a question, and you can pass on a question and come back to it later if you need to).

The computer screen looks like this picture on the left - it will show you how much time you have left and there is a review facility so you can check how many questions you've answered and if you've passed on any of the questions you weren't sure about.
Once you have completed the test you will be given the option of taking a 3 minute break before you move on to the next part of the test, the hazard perception test.




The hazard perception test

After you've finished your multi choice questions - you'll be feeling confident and ready for the hazard perception part of the test. For this part of the test you will view 14 video clips on the computer screen. They last for approximately one minute each. You need to watch these clips as if you were the driver. In all there will be 15 hazards to find - at least one on each clip, but one clip will have 2 hazards.
You can click the left or right mouse button whenever you think you can see a hazard developing. The test requires you to spot what the DSA call ‘developing hazards’. These are hazards that could become dangerous situations very soon, just as you are driving up to them! The speed at which you click the mouse button as a hazard develops will determine your score for each hazard clip. You can score between 0 and 5 on each hazard. To pass you need a score of 44 out of a maximum score of 75.

The hazard perception test will start with a short video played on the computer screen that will explain how the hazard perception test works and what you need to do. At the end of this clip you have the option to go onto the test or play the tutorial again.


Each clip contains several potential hazards, but only the one that materialises into a real hazard involving other road users is marked.

This is known as a “developing hazard”. In practice, the developing hazard is quite obvious . . . once you’ve seen it!!  You will only receive a score if you spot the hazard before it develops.

The score you obtain depends on how quickly you spot the developing hazard. The time from when you could potentially spot the hazard, to the time when the vehicle actually arrives at the hazard is the time frame used to determine your score.

This period of time is divided into 5 equal sections. If you click the mouse while in the first section when the developing hazard first appears, you will obtain a score of 5 points. If you click in the second segment you will score 4 points, then 3, then 2 and then in the last segment, 1.

You can click the mouse several times during this period, and the computer will always take your highest score and record that for the clip. If you don’t click the mouse button at all in this period of time you will score zero for that hazard clip.

Don’t try to cheat the system by clicking the button repeatedly throughout the video clip because the computer will pick this up. If the computer believes you are cheating you will score zero for that clip.

This is not the end of the world . . . we know of many people who have scored zero for a clip and still passed with flying colours. The DSA are fiercely secretive about how this ‘cheat detection’ works, but apparently within the scoring period 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. The first click is, of course, in the highest scoring band because you saw the developing hazard early.

At the end of the test you will have to leave the room and collect your score for the two parts of the exam.



So, do not be frightened to click the mouse button whenever you think you have seen a potential developing hazard. Keep your eyes open and if it continues to develop, continue to click the mouse button. This will ensure that you click within the scoring period.

Some of these hazards will not develop any further so you will not receive a score for spotting them.


In the example shown here (supplied by the DSA) you should see a very young child riding a bike along the pavement.  This clearly may be classified as a potential hazard, and it could develop further as we drive along.

The scoring period for this clip doesn’t start until the child turns towards the road to cross it as shown here (the blue circle). This is the point at which the potential hazard becomes a developing hazard and the scoring window opens.

Therefore if you clicked your mouse button once as you saw the child riding her bike along the pavement, you would have scored nothing. That’s why it’s important to remember to click the button a few times as the hazard develops to avoid this problem.

We can’t tell you exactly what type of hazards you will see in the video clips, but our experience is that you will find that the following frequently pop up . . . pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road without warning or looking . . . cars and vans pulling out of side roads . . . trucks and long vehicles making wide turns . . . vehicles on narrow roads or where there are other obstructions and cars crossing your path on country roads.

If you get hold of the Focus Hazard Perception CDs, you’ll be well prepared, there are about 1000 practice clips on the CD and if you can pass it regularly using the practice CD you'll find the test a breeze when you go for it.