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

Which of these signs shows an uphill gradient

Accepted Answer

Question 2

Which of these signs means you cant drive your lorry past this point

Accepted Answer

Question 3

Youre on a smart motorway What do the speedlimit signs indicate

Accepted Answer

The speed limit on the sign must be obeyed

Question 4

Why is tailgating dangerous

Accepted Answer

Your view ahead is reduced

Question 5

What does blind spot mean

Accepted Answer

An area of road that cant be seen even with mirrors

Question 6

What must you do when you park a lorry weighing more than 75 tonnes on a verge for essential loading

Accepted Answer

Make sure the lorry is always attended

Question 7

Why should you take care before moving into the centre lane of a threelane motorway

Accepted Answer

Traffic in the centre lane may be travelling much faster than you

Question 8

What must you do when driving under the rules for domestic drivers hours

Accepted Answer

Keep a written record of hours worked

Question 9

Why do motorcyclists use dipped headlights in the daytime

Accepted Answer

To make themselves more easily seen

Question 10

When is an articulated lorry most likely to jackknife

Accepted Answer

When its unloaded

Question 11

Youre securing a load using chains Which type of chain is unsafe for securing a load

Accepted Answer

Splitlink

Question 12

What does this warning light on the instrument panel mean

Accepted Answer

Low oil pressure

Question 13

Youre driving on a dual carriageway What type of vehicle must use a flashing amber beacon on this road

Accepted Answer

A mobility scooter

Question 14

Youre at a road junction turning into a minor road What should you do if there are pedestrians crossing the minor road

Accepted Answer

Give way to the pedestrians who are already crossing

Question 15

What would be the most likely effect of driving with the rev counter in the red band

Accepted Answer

You would damage the engine

Question 16

What should you do if youve had a few alcoholic drinks at a party

Accepted Answer

Go home by public transport

Question 17

The entrances to roundabouts are often slippery when theyre wet How should you deal with this hazard

Accepted Answer

Brake in good time

Question 18

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence Driver CPC requires you to take training every five years How many hours of training must you take

Accepted Answer

35 hours

Question 19

What should you do if youre upset by another drivers behaviour

Accepted Answer

Stop and take a break

Question 20

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 21

What should you be careful of when stopping on the left in a busy place

Accepted Answer

Your nearside mirror doesnt strike the head of a pedestrian

Question 22

Whos responsible for the issue of tachograph charts to a bus or lorry driver

Accepted Answer

The drivers employer

Question 23

Under EU rules a driver must take regular breaks from driving What maximum period of continuous driving is allowed

Accepted Answer

45 hours

Question 24

Youre on a motorway What does it mean when a red cross is displayed above the hard shoulder

Accepted Answer

You shouldnt use this lane as a running lane

Question 25

Whats likely to happen if you avoid travelling during peak times

Accepted Answer

Youre less likely to be delayed

Question 26

Youre driving under EU drivers hours How is a week defined under these rules

Accepted Answer

Between 0000 hours on Monday and 2400 hours the following Sunday

Question 27

Youre the driver of an articulated car transporter How will the overhanging top deck move as you turn corners

Accepted Answer

Through a greater arc than the cab

Question 28

You arrive at the scene of an incident and someone is unconscious Whats the first thing you should do to help them

Accepted Answer

Check that theyre breathing

Question 29

What must you do after filling your fuel tanks

Accepted Answer

Securely close the filler caps

Question 30

Youre overtaking another lorry What should you do if you start to lose speed due to an uphill gradient

Accepted Answer

Ease off and drop behind the vehicle you were trying to overtake

Question 31

How wide does a load need to be before an attendant is required

Accepted Answer

35 metres 11 feet 5 inches

Question 32

What should you do before changing a wheel on your vehicle

Accepted Answer

Use wheel chocks if available

Question 33

Youre driving down a snowcovered hill Why should you take care when using an independent endurance brake retarder

Accepted Answer

The drive wheels could lock

Question 34

Where should you stand when using a motorway emergency telephone

Accepted Answer

Facing the oncoming traffic

Question 35

Youre the driver of a fuel tanker What danger should you be aware of when opening the tank hatches

Accepted Answer

Slippery walkways

Question 36

Whats the most likely reason for a dieselengined vehicle running erratically in very cold weather

Accepted Answer

The fuel partly solidifying

Question 37

Which of these is the main cause of collisions involving motorcycles

Accepted Answer

Other drivers

Question 38

How could you save fuel

Accepted Answer

By planning routes to avoid congestion

Question 39

Youre driving on a motorway and theres no traffic ahead You see this sign Which lane should you use

Accepted Answer

The lefthand lane

Question 40

Under EU drivers hours regulations a 45minute break must be taken after 45 hours of driving What shorter breaks can this be split into

Accepted Answer

One of 15 minutes plus one of 30

Question 41

Your vehicle is fitted with an engine management system What will happen if you press the accelerator when youre starting the engine

Accepted Answer

An excessive amount of fuel will be used

Question 42

What will cause your fuel consumption to increase

Accepted Answer

Continuous use of the air conditioning

Question 43

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 44

As a driver what should you do when you attend a social event

Accepted Answer

Avoid drinking alcohol completely

Question 45

Youre at the scene of a traffic incident What are the symptoms of someone suffering from shock

Accepted Answer

Rapid pulse and sweating

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Mock Test 4

Which of these signs shows an uphill gradient?

Which of these signs means you can't drive your lorry past this point?

You're on a smart motorway. What do the speed-limit signs indicate?

Why is tailgating dangerous?

What does 'blind spot' mean?

What must you do when you park a lorry weighing more than 7.5 tonnes on a verge for essential loading?

Why should you take care before moving into the centre lane of a three-lane motorway?

What must you do when driving under the rules for domestic drivers' hours?

Why do motorcyclists use dipped headlights in the daytime?

When is an articulated lorry most likely to jack-knife?

You're securing a load using chains. Which type of chain is unsafe for securing a load?

What does this warning light on the instrument panel mean?

You're driving on a dual carriageway. What type of vehicle must use a flashing amber beacon on this road?

You're at a road junction, turning into a minor road. What should you do if there are pedestrians crossing the minor road?

What would be the most likely effect of driving with the rev counter in the red band?

What should you do if you've had a few alcoholic drinks at a party?

The entrances to roundabouts are often slippery when they're wet. How should you deal with this hazard?

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) requires you to take training every five years. How many hours of training must you take?

What should you do if you're upset by another driver's behaviour?

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 be careful of when stopping on the left in a busy place?

Who's responsible for the issue of tachograph charts to a bus or lorry driver?

Under EU rules, a driver must take regular breaks from driving. What maximum period of continuous driving is allowed?

You're on a motorway. What does it mean when a red cross is displayed above the hard shoulder?

What's likely to happen if you avoid travelling during peak times?

You're driving under EU drivers' hours. How is a week defined under these rules?

You're the driver of an articulated car transporter. How will the overhanging top deck move as you turn corners?

You arrive at the scene of an incident and someone is unconscious. What's the first thing you should do to help them?

What must you do after filling your fuel tanks?

You're overtaking another lorry. What should you do if you start to lose speed due to an uphill gradient?

How wide does a load need to be before an attendant is required?

What should you do before changing a wheel on your vehicle?

You're driving down a snow-covered hill. Why should you take care when using an independent endurance brake (retarder)?

Where should you stand when using a motorway emergency telephone?

You're the driver of a fuel tanker. What danger should you be aware of when opening the tank hatches?

What's the most likely reason for a diesel-engined vehicle running erratically in very cold weather?

Which of these is the main cause of collisions involving motorcycles?

How could you save fuel?

You're driving on a motorway and there's no traffic ahead. You see this sign. Which lane should you use?

Under EU drivers' hours regulations, a 45-minute break must be taken after 4.5 hours of driving. What shorter breaks can this be split into?

Your vehicle is fitted with an engine management system. What will happen if you press the accelerator when you're starting the engine?

What will cause your fuel consumption to increase?

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?

As a driver, what should you do when you attend a social event?

You're at the scene of a traffic incident. What are the symptoms of someone suffering from shock?

Not enough to pass :-(

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