Epsom School of Motoring - Driving Test Information

The Driving Theory Test
The multiple choice part of the theory test is delivered using a touch screen computer. Before the test starts you will be given instructions on how the test works. You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

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 will be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.

You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test.

Hazard Perception Test
Before the hazard test starts you will be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.

You won’t be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.

Practical Driving Test
This includes an eyesight check that 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 (known as Show Me, Tell Me). These are basic safety checks that you should carry out to ensure the your car is safe drive.

You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises which could be either reversing around a corner, turning in the road and/or 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. The test routes you follow will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, you will be asked to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

The practical driving part should last about 40 minutes. During the test the examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test but just one serious or dangerous fault will mean a failure. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.