Learning to Drive

Before you begin to learn to drive a car in the UK you have to be a minimum of 17–years of age. Also you must apply for and have in your possession a valid Provisional Driving Licence for the class of vehicle you wish to learn to drive.

It is best to use the services of a qualified DSA instructor, or reputable driving school, to guide you through the whole process as you learn to drive.

The Structure of The Driving Test

The UK driving test is made up of two parts, these being the theory and the practical driving test. You must have passed your theory exam before you can take the practical driving test.

The theory test is made up of two sections and both are conducted at specific test centres and are computer based. Don–t worry though, as the equipment is very easy to use and will not require any previous knowledge or experience of using computers.

There are two parts to the theory driving test.

Multiple choice answer test of your knowledge of the Highway Code and driving procedures.

Hazard Perception Test, often referred to HPT for short.

Knowledge Test

For this first part of the theory driving test you will need to answer a series of questions that will appear on a computer screen. The correct answers will be there too, but so will some wrong answers – it’s a bit like playing Who Wants to be a Millionaire, except there are no cash prizes to win.

You have to choose which answer you think is right, indicating that choice by touching the relevant part of the computer screen. Some questions require more than one choice of answer to be made, so read the questions carefully so you know what to do. You certainly don’t want a silly mistake to make you fail your driving test.

If you get stuck with a question you can attach a marker to it, and if you have any time left at the end, you can then come back to it and try that question again.

The pass mark for a car theory driving test is 43 out of 50, and you will have 57–minutes in which to complete it.

Video: Theory Driving Test explaining the procedure in more detail.

Also, some Driving Test Theory Questions for you to try.

Hazard Perception Test

After you have completed the driving test theory exam you are allowed to take a short break before you begin the hazard perception test. Again, you will be seated in front of a computer screen as you complete it.

This time you will be shown a series of video clips of everyday driving scenes that contain at least one developing hazard within each. One of the clips will contain two developing hazards and you will be expected to identify each, indicating this by pressing a button on a computer mouse.

You Get a Chance to Practice The Hazard Perception Test

Again, you don’t have to worry about knowing how to participate in the test, as you will watch a tutorial video clip before you start, and which explains everything clearly and shows you an example of develop hazards. You can then try a practice session so you get used to the process you will be required to complete during the hazard perception test.

The maximum you can score for each developing hazard is 5 and your mark will vary depending upon how soon, or how late, you respond to the situation within the video clip. The pass mark for this is 44 out of 75 and will involve 14 video clips.

At the end of the hazard perception test you will be invited to answer some customer survey questions, but this process is voluntary, so you don’t have to stick around.

Getting The Results of Your Hazard Perception Test & Theory Paper

When you are ready you need to leave the room and report to the test centre reception desk. This is where you get to know the result of your theory test, as well as your hazard perception test. Remember, you have to pass both parts for the scores to count as an overall pass of the theory driving test.

Once you have passed your theory test, and your hazard perception test, your next task is to book your practical driving test, but only when ready. You need to have developed your practical driving skills to the required level of competence before that happens.

Taking your driving test before you are ready is a dumb idea, because you will fail. If you are learning to drive through a driving school, or an independant instructor, you will be given feedback about your progress and will advised you when it is the right time for you to apply. Your instructor will be able to tell this from experience.

Where Are the Driving Test Centres?

It is as well to know where the driving test centre is before you attend. In Aylesbury, the driving test centre is in Walton Grove, opposite the pond and at the back of the police station. If you pass by there you will see the car park is often full of cars from driving schools. If you are learning with a driving school, or independant instructor, you will be shown where the driving test centre is in Aylesbury.

Other driving test centres you could attend for your driving test are, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe or Bletchley. Driving schools, even if based in Aylesbury, will have all the details, so just ask your instructor for details.

Video: The Practical Driving Test.

For more information about learning to drive, visit the Direct Gov Public Services website.

Exercise: Driving Test Theory practice paper
Video: Taking the Theory Driving Test
Video: Taking the Practical Driving Test

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This page was last updated
Monday, 03-May-2010

Theory & Practical – Driving Test – Aylesbury