Book test appointment

The first step towards getting a full license is to book test appointment for your Theory test exam.

You need to book test at a test centre nearest and most convenient to you. You can book test either online, on telephone or even by post.

Theory test appointments can be booked, and subject to three clear working days notice, be changed and cancelled using the online booking service or the telephone. You can also download an application form and apply by post. Before you can take your theory test you will need to make sure you have a valid provisional driving license. You can apply for a provisional driving license from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The application form (form D1) can be obtained from your local Post Office. Once you have a valid provisional driving license you can book your theory test. Waiting times vary from region to region, but the target is that 95 percent of theory test candidates receive an appointment date within two weeks of their preferred date.

To book test online and telephone you will need -

A valid UK provisional driving license

A valid debit or credit card for payment
(Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)

To book theory test by post you will need an application form. Application forms are available online or on request from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) booking line. Payment can be made by cheque or postal order, but cash payments are not accepted.

Prepare for DSA test

After your Theory test appointment has been confirmed you need to prepare for your theory test.

The test consists of two sections :

1. The Multiple choice part

The multiple choice part section of the DSA test is designed to test your understanding of the theory behind driving. The questions in each multiple choice test in DSA test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a license for, i.e. a motorcycle driving test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other DSA test. A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer. You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test.

2. The Hazard perception part

This section of the DSA test designed to test your awareness of potential hazards while driving. You'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips each about a minute long, which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard and you need to click the mouse when you see a hazard developing.  The videos feature various types of hazard, such as road conditions, vehicles and pedestrians. The earlier you spot a hazard developing that may require the driver to take some action, the higher the score. There are 15 scoreable hazards in the tests and candidates can score up to 5 points on each hazard.

The Practical driving test

After you have passed your theory test exam you need to pass practical driving test.

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the practical test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the practical test.

The practical test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue). The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away. After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises.

The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

    * Reversing around a corner

    * Turning in the road

    * Reverse parking

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the practical test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

When the practical test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.

If you pass and have a photo card driving license issued after 1 March 2004 the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving license issued to you automatically.

John Graham - john.graham@theory-test.co.uk is involved in suggesting people, how to pass theory test and  he is writing useful driving theory test tips for passing theory test in 1st attempt!. Get more information at http://www.theory-test.co.uk.