Car
UK car driving theory test
Last updated
The UK car driving theory test has 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes (pass mark 43 out of 50), followed by a 14-clip hazard perception test (pass mark 44 out of 75). Both must be passed in the same sitting. The fee is £23 and the minimum age is 17 — or 16 if you receive the higher rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment.
You must pass both parts to pass the test.
Structure and pass marks
| Questions | 50 multiple-choice |
|---|---|
| Time allowed | 57 minutes |
| Multiple-choice pass mark | 43 out of 50 |
| Hazard perception clips | 14 (15 scored developing hazards) |
| Hazard perception pass mark | 44 out of 75 |
| Both sections required? | Yes — pass both in the same sitting |
| Test fee | £23 |
| Certificate validity | 2 years |
Three of the 50 questions are video-based
Since 28 September 2020, three of the 50 multiple-choice questions are based on a single short, silent driving video — you can replay the clip as many times as you like before answering. The remaining questions are single-answer multiple choice drawn from the DVSA syllabus.
New for 2026: CPR and AED questions
DVSA announced on 13 August 2025 that car and motorcycle theory tests would include new questions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and — for the first time — public-access defibrillators (AEDs). Candidates were told to start preparing from autumn 2025; the questions began appearing in tests from 2026. No additional cost, no extra test time, no change to the pass mark.
Updated for 2025: ADAS coverage
The 2025 edition of the Official DVSA Guide to Driving rewrote the section on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) — the in-car features that have become standard on most new cars: lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors and traffic-sign recognition. The theory test bank's questions on these systems were refreshed to reflect current technology — what each system does, when it intervenes, and when the driver remains responsible.
The key principle to memorise: ADAS is an aid, not a substitute. The driver remains legally and practically responsible for the vehicle at all times — even when adaptive cruise is engaged or lane keep is steering. Questions that test "who is responsible if the system fails" almost always have the same answer: the driver.
A claim circulated on social media in late 2025 that DVSA had silently added 50 entirely new questions to the bank. That is incorrect — the only substantive 2025-26 additions are the CPR/AED content above and the ADAS refresh in this section. DVSA addressed the rumour publicly.
Eligibility and what you need to book
- Minimum age 17 (16 if you get the higher rate mobility component of PIP).
- A valid UK provisional driving licence.
- An email address and a credit or debit card to pay £23.
- You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months.
What to take on test day
Your UK photocard provisional driving licence. Paper-only licences need an accompanying passport. Arrive 15 minutes early. Phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers and any device you cannot fully switch off must be stored in a locker — wrong or missing ID means the test is cancelled with no refund.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Theory test for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses
- GOV.UK — Pass mark and result
- GOV.UK — Multiple-choice questions
- GOV.UK — Hazard perception test
- GOV.UK — Book your theory test
- GOV.UK — Driving test costs
- GOV.UK — New CPR and defibrillator questions (Aug 2025)