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

What must you do before leaving your bus

Accepted Answer

Apply the parking brake

Question 2

When can a bus driver use hazard warning lights

Accepted Answer

When children are getting off a school bus

Question 3

Youre driving a fully laden vehicle approaching an uphill gradient What will happen if you start to overtake

Accepted Answer

Youll take longer to get past

Question 4

Youre driving past a bus thats waiting at a bus stop on the other side of the road Why should you be careful

Accepted Answer

Pedestrians may come from behind the bus

Question 5

Youve been involved in an incident and damaged some property What should you do if nobody else is present and your vehicle is still roadworthy

Accepted Answer

Stop then report the incident to the police within 24 hours

Question 6

What effect will drinking alcohol have on your driving

Accepted Answer

A false sense of confidence

Question 7

What does this sign mean

Accepted Answer

No buses

Question 8

You notice that one of your tyres has a bulge in the side wall What will happen if you drive the vehicle

Accepted Answer

Youll break the law and risk prosecution

Question 9

How can you plan your route before starting a long journey

Accepted Answer

Use a route planner on the internet

Question 10

Youre driving a onepersonoperated bus What should you do while issuing tickets at a bus stop

Accepted Answer

Make sure youve cancelled any signal

Question 11

What type of emergency vehicle has a green flashing beacon

Accepted Answer

Doctors car

Question 12

What does it indicate if you see white lights on a vehicle at night

Accepted Answer

Its facing towards you

Question 13

Youll need to take 35 hours of training to maintain your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence Driver CPC Over what period must this be carried out

Accepted Answer

Five years

Question 14

Youre driving a bus at night on a road without street lighting Why could it be dangerous to overtake

Accepted Answer

There may be unseen dips or bends in the road

Question 15

Why do motorcyclists use dipped headlights in the daytime

Accepted Answer

To make themselves more easily seen

Question 16

Youve been driving nonstop since 500 am The time is now 930 am Under EU rules what length of break must you take

Accepted Answer

At least 45 minutes

Question 17

Which category of licence do you need to drive a triaxle doubledeck coach

Accepted Answer

D

Question 18

What does this sign mean

Accepted Answer

No vehicles over 14 feet 6 inches 44 m high

Question 19

Youre about to start a long journey midway through the day What should you do if you notice that the sidelights work but the headlights are faulty

Accepted Answer

Dont drive until theyre repaired

Question 20

Which sign means No stopping

Accepted Answer

Question 21

Which type of digital tachograph card is used by an approved calibration centre when theyre recalibrating the tachograph

Accepted Answer

Workshop card

Question 22

When should you use hazard warning lights

Accepted Answer

When approaching queuing traffic on a motorway

Question 23

What type of emergency vehicle has a green flashing beacon

Accepted Answer

Doctors car

Question 24

At a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency DVSA roadside check your vehicle is found to have serious defects and you may no longer use it Who will DVSA share this information with

Accepted Answer

The Traffic Commissioner

Question 25

Which vehicles are most likely to be affected by high winds

Accepted Answer

Curtainsided vehicles

Question 26

Some coaches have a mirror on their nearside angled down to show the front nearside wheel When should this extra mirror be used

Accepted Answer

When youre pulling in to park at the kerb

Question 27

What does this sign mean

Accepted Answer

No vehicles over 14 feet 6 inches 44 m high

Question 28

When should you check the wheel nuts on your vehicle

Accepted Answer

Before any journey

Question 29

What does good passenger care include

Accepted Answer

Helping passengers who need directions

Question 30

What can you add to diesel fuel to prevent it from becoming less effective at low temperatures

Accepted Answer

Antiwaxing additives

Question 31

Youre driving through roadworks What information does this sign give you

Accepted Answer

The distance to the next exit

Question 32

Whats brake fade

Accepted Answer

Reduction of braking effectiveness

Question 33

Under EU rules you can drive for a maximum of nine hours a day On how many days each week can this be extended to 10 hours

Accepted Answer

Two days

Question 34

What should you do when a vehicle pulls out in front of you at a junction

Accepted Answer

Slow down and be ready to stop

Question 35

A lorry is overtaking you on a twolane motorway What should you do if it doesnt have the speed to get past

Accepted Answer

Be prepared to reduce your speed

Question 36

What can prevent you from holding a bus or lorry driving licence

Accepted Answer

Heart disorders

Question 37

When do you need to take account of your vehicle having air suspension

Accepted Answer

When youre parked close to another vehicle

Question 38

What benefit is expected to come from having a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence Driver CPC qualification

Accepted Answer

A reduction in fuel consumption

Question 39

Whats the purpose of a kneeling bus

Accepted Answer

To allow the step height to be raised and lowered

Question 40

What should you do when an airpressure warning device activates

Accepted Answer

Stop and have the fault put right

Question 41

Your bus is fitted with lifts or ramps for less mobile passengers Who should operate this equipment

Accepted Answer

Fully trained people

Question 42

Where should you stop when youre stopping to collect passengers at a bus stop

Accepted Answer

Close to the kerb

Question 43

When should the driver of a coach wear gloves

Accepted Answer

To top up the oil or water levels

Question 44

Youve stopped on a firm level surface Whats the first thing you must do before you uncouple the trailer

Accepted Answer

Apply the parking brake

Question 45

Your coach is fully laden Whats the most likely reason for the steering feeling heavy

Accepted Answer

Faulty power steering

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Mock Test 1

What must you do before leaving your bus?

When can a bus driver use hazard warning lights?

You're driving a fully laden vehicle approaching an uphill gradient. What will happen if you start to overtake?

You're driving past a bus that's waiting at a bus stop on the other side of the road. Why should you be careful?

You've been involved in an incident and damaged some property. What should you do if nobody else is present and your vehicle is still roadworthy?

What effect will drinking alcohol have on your driving?

What does this sign mean?

You notice that one of your tyres has a bulge in the side wall. What will happen if you drive the vehicle?

How can you plan your route before starting a long journey?

You're driving a one-person-operated bus. What should you do while issuing tickets at a bus stop?

What type of emergency vehicle has a green flashing beacon?

What does it indicate if you see white lights on a vehicle at night?

You'll need to take 35 hours of training to maintain your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC). Over what period must this be carried out?

You're driving a bus at night on a road without street lighting. Why could it be dangerous to overtake?

Why do motorcyclists use dipped headlights in the daytime?

You've been driving non-stop since 5.00 am. The time is now 9.30 am. Under EU rules, what length of break must you take?

Which category of licence do you need to drive a tri-axle double-deck coach?

What does this sign mean?

You're about to start a long journey midway through the day. What should you do if you notice that the sidelights work but the headlights are faulty?

Which sign means 'No stopping'?

Which type of digital tachograph card is used by an approved calibration centre when they're recalibrating the tachograph?

When should you use hazard warning lights?

What type of emergency vehicle has a green flashing beacon?

At a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) roadside check, your vehicle is found to have serious defects and you may no longer use it. Who will DVSA share this information with?

Which vehicles are most likely to be affected by high winds?

Some coaches have a mirror on their nearside, angled down to show the front nearside wheel. When should this extra mirror be used?

What does this sign mean?

When should you check the wheel nuts on your vehicle?

What does good passenger care include?

What can you add to diesel fuel to prevent it from becoming less effective at low temperatures?

You're driving through roadworks. What information does this sign give you?

What's 'brake fade'?

Under EU rules, you can drive for a maximum of nine hours a day. On how many days each week can this be extended to 10 hours?

What should you do when a vehicle pulls out in front of you at a junction?

A lorry is overtaking you on a two-lane motorway. What should you do if it doesn't have the speed to get past?

What can prevent you from holding a bus or lorry driving licence?

When do you need to take account of your vehicle having air suspension?

What benefit is expected to come from having a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) qualification?

What's the purpose of a kneeling bus?

What should you do when an air-pressure warning device activates?

Your bus is fitted with lifts or ramps for less mobile passengers. Who should operate this equipment?

Where should you stop when you're stopping to collect passengers at a bus stop?

When should the driver of a coach wear gloves?

You've stopped on a firm, level surface. What's the first thing you must do before you uncouple the trailer?

Your coach is fully laden. What's the most likely reason for the steering feeling heavy?

Not enough to pass :-(

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