Q: How hard is a theory test in the UK 2026?

We've analyzed responses from hundreds of learners on Theorypass to identify the most challenging questions. Put simply, without studying, your odds to answer all questions correctly are just 1 in 3,800. This could explain the disappointing national theory test pass rate of 46.1%.

Q: Is 46 out of 50 good on theory test 2026?

What is the UK theory test pass mark? The theory test pass mark is 86%. This means you need to score 43 out of 50 multiple-choice questions to pass this section of the test. You have 57 minutes to answer all of the questions in the multiple-choice test.

Q: What does a UK theory test 2026 consist of?

The theory test for car and motorcycle drivers is made up of two parts taken at the same time - multiple choice and hazard perception. You must pass both parts of the test to get a test certificate.

Q: Is the theory test changing in 2026?

The Driver Theory Test has been revised and the updated version went live on the 1st of July 2024. The changes made are to enhance your experience with new and improved images, updated and more relevant questions surrounding road safety and legislation.

Question 1

Youre teaching a pupil to stop What should you teach them about using the gears to help slow the car

Accepted Answer

Changing gear isnt always necessary

Question 2

Youre driving a car What should you do before answering a call on your mobile phone

Accepted Answer

Stop in a safe and convenient place

Question 3

Where would you usually find the first information sign indicating that youre approaching an exit from a motorway

Accepted Answer

One mile before the exit

Question 4

What should you do before stopping to park on the side of the road

Accepted Answer

Use the mirrors

Question 5

At the scene of an incident a pedestrians leg is bleeding heavily Its not broken and there are no objects in the wound How could you help stop the bleeding

Accepted Answer

Apply firm pressure to the wound

Question 6

An approved driving instructor ADI must always display red L plates in Wales red D or L plates or both on the car when teaching learner drivers What else must they display if theyre charging for the driving lesson

Accepted Answer

Their ADI certificate

Question 7

Youre driving at night on a road that has a 30 mph speed limit You find somewhere to park near a junction How close to the junction are you allowed to park

Accepted Answer

10 metres 32 feet

Question 8

What will a new driver have to do if they accrue six or more penalty points on their licence within the first two years after passing their first driving test

Accepted Answer

Retake both the theory and practical tests

Question 9

Youre on the hard shoulder of a motorway following a breakdown How should you rejoin the main carriageway when your vehicle has been repaired

Accepted Answer

Gain speed on the hard shoulder before moving safely onto the carriageway

Question 10

What could happen if you use front fog lights in clear daytime conditions

Accepted Answer

You could dazzle approaching drivers

Question 11

Youre planning to turn right onto a major road at a Yjunction Where should you position your vehicle in order to improve your view

Accepted Answer

At a right angle to the stop or give way lines

Question 12

What would a spongyfeeling footbrake indicate

Accepted Answer

Air in the braking system

Question 13

Your vehicle breaks down while youre driving on a twoway road Whats the minimum distance behind your vehicle you should place a warning triangle

Accepted Answer

45 metres 147 feet

Question 14

How often should tyre pressures be checked

Accepted Answer

At least once a week

Question 15

Whos responsible for making sure that a vehicle isnt overloaded

Accepted Answer

The driver

Question 16

Which type of glasses shouldnt be worn when driving at night

Accepted Answer

Tinted

Question 17

Whats the minimum distance from which an approved driving instructor ADI must be able to read a currentstyle since 2001 number plate

Accepted Answer

265 metres 87 feet

Question 18

Who can accompany a candidate on their driving test

Accepted Answer

Anyone aged 16 or over

Question 19

You want to leave the motorway at the next exit Where should you position your vehicle as you approach the exit

Accepted Answer

In the lefthand lane

Question 20

Youre driving at night When can you park on the righthand side of the road

Accepted Answer

When youre in a oneway street

Question 21

Why are vehicles fitted with highintensity rear fog lights

Accepted Answer

To make them more visible in thick fog

Question 22

Youre following other vehicles in fog and you have your dipped headlights switched on How else can you reduce the risk of being involved in a collision

Accepted Answer

Reduce your speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front

Question 23

How often should tyre pressures be checked

Accepted Answer

At least once a week

Question 24

Which vehicles arent allowed in the righthand lane of a threelane motorway

Accepted Answer

Vehicles towing a trailer or caravan

Question 25

Youre on a smart motorway where the active traffic management ATM isnt in operation When should you use the hard shoulder

Accepted Answer

To stop in an emergency

Question 26

How can you avoid wheelspin when youre driving on an icy road

Accepted Answer

Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible

Question 27

Why should you keep well back before overtaking a large vehicle

Accepted Answer

To get the best view of the road ahead

Question 28

Why would a motorcyclist use dipped headlights in daylight

Accepted Answer

So that the rider can be seen more easily

Question 29

What must you display clearly on your vehicle while youre being paid to give driving lessons

Accepted Answer

Your instructors identification certificate

Question 30

How should you treat a zebra crossing thats split by an island

Accepted Answer

As two crossings

Question 31

Whats the first thing you should do if your vehicle has broken down on an automatic railway level crossing

Accepted Answer

Get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing

Question 32

As a recommendation how often should you check the brake lights on the car you use

Accepted Answer

Daily

Question 33

When may you wait in a box junction

Accepted Answer

When oncoming traffic prevents you from turning right

Question 34

Youre following a moped What should you do if you want to turn left a short distance ahead

Accepted Answer

Stay behind until the moped has passed the junction

Question 35

Youre driving on a twolane motorway What should you do if a lorry is taking a long time to overtake you

Accepted Answer

Slow down and let the lorry pass

Question 36

Youre driving on a twoway road There are double solid white lines along the centre of the road What should you do if theres a stationary vehicle parked on the left

Accepted Answer

You may cross the solid line to pass the stationary vehicle if its safe

Question 37

Youre travelling on a narrow section of road What should you do if a horse rider ahead is riding in the centre of the lane

Accepted Answer

Stay behind and allow them to ride in this position

Question 38

Youre teaching a learner driver whos following a slowermoving vehicle You can see a junction ahead on the right What should you tell your pupil

Accepted Answer

Dont try to overtake until youre past the junction

Question 39

You want to turn into the next side road on the left What should you do if youre following a cyclist as you approach the junction

Accepted Answer

Keep following the cyclist and turn behind them

Question 40

Where do waiting restrictions allow you to stop to pick up or set down passengers

Accepted Answer

On urban clearways

Question 41

Youre waiting at a railway level crossing What should you do if the red lights keep flashing after a train has passed

Accepted Answer

Continue to wait

Question 42

Your pupil is at the end of their driving test With your pupils permission what does DVSA advise you to do

Accepted Answer

Listen to the debrief

Question 43

What could happen if you put too much oil in your engine

Accepted Answer

The oil seals may be damaged

Question 44

Which vehicle might have to straddle lanes at a roundabout

Accepted Answer

Long vehicle

Question 45

Youre turning right at a crossroads An oncoming vehicle is also turning right Whats the advantage in turning behind the oncoming vehicle

Accepted Answer

Youll have a clearer view of any approaching traffic

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Mock Test 5

You're teaching a pupil to stop. What should you teach them about using the gears to help slow the car?

You're driving a car. What should you do before answering a call on your mobile phone?

Where would you usually find the first information sign indicating that you're approaching an exit from a motorway?

What should you do before stopping to park on the side of the road?

At the scene of an incident, a pedestrian's leg is bleeding heavily. It's not broken and there are no objects in the wound. How could you help stop the bleeding?

An approved driving instructor (ADI) must always display red L plates (in Wales, red D or L plates or both) on the car when teaching learner drivers. What else must they display if they're charging for the driving lesson?

You're driving at night on a road that has a 30 mph speed limit. You find somewhere to park near a junction. How close to the junction are you allowed to park?

What will a new driver have to do if they accrue six or more penalty points on their licence within the first two years after passing their first driving test?

You're on the hard shoulder of a motorway, following a breakdown. How should you rejoin the main carriageway when your vehicle has been repaired?

What could happen if you use front fog lights in clear daytime conditions?

You're planning to turn right onto a major road at a Y-junction. Where should you position your vehicle in order to improve your view?

What would a spongy-feeling footbrake indicate?

Your vehicle breaks down while you're driving on a two-way road. What's the minimum distance behind your vehicle you should place a warning triangle?

How often should tyre pressures be checked?

Who's responsible for making sure that a vehicle isn't overloaded?

Which type of glasses shouldn't be worn when driving at night?

What's the minimum distance from which an approved driving instructor (ADI) must be able to read a current-style (since 2001) number plate?

Who can accompany a candidate on their driving test?

You want to leave the motorway at the next exit. Where should you position your vehicle as you approach the exit?

You're driving at night. When can you park on the right-hand side of the road?

Why are vehicles fitted with high-intensity rear fog lights?

You're following other vehicles in fog and you have your dipped headlights switched on. How else can you reduce the risk of being involved in a collision?

How often should tyre pressures be checked?

Which vehicles aren't allowed in the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway?

You're on a smart motorway where the active traffic management (ATM) isn't in operation. When should you use the hard shoulder?

How can you avoid wheelspin when you're driving on an icy road?

Why should you keep well back before overtaking a large vehicle?

Why would a motorcyclist use dipped headlights in daylight?

What must you display clearly on your vehicle while you're being paid to give driving lessons?

How should you treat a zebra crossing that's split by an island?

What's the first thing you should do if your vehicle has broken down on an automatic railway level crossing?

As a recommendation, how often should you check the brake lights on the car you use?

When may you wait in a box junction?

You're following a moped. What should you do if you want to turn left a short distance ahead?

You're driving on a two-lane motorway. What should you do if a lorry is taking a long time to overtake you?

You're driving on a two-way road. There are double solid white lines along the centre of the road. What should you do if there's a stationary vehicle parked on the left?

You're travelling on a narrow section of road. What should you do if a horse rider ahead is riding in the centre of the lane?

You're teaching a learner driver who's following a slower-moving vehicle. You can see a junction ahead on the right. What should you tell your pupil?

You want to turn into the next side road on the left. What should you do if you're following a cyclist as you approach the junction?

Where do waiting restrictions allow you to stop to pick up or set down passengers?

You're waiting at a railway level crossing. What should you do if the red lights keep flashing after a train has passed?

Your pupil is at the end of their driving test. With your pupil's permission, what does DVSA advise you to do?

What could happen if you put too much oil in your engine?

Which vehicle might have to straddle lanes at a roundabout?

You're turning right at a crossroads. An oncoming vehicle is also turning right. What's the advantage in turning behind the oncoming vehicle?

Not enough to pass :-(

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