What is covered in the theory test?

In the theory test, the questions are organised into 14 categories. This helps you to learn

1) Alertness

This category covers topics such as using your Sat Nav whilst driving. They are questions about being alert whilst driving. An example question would be:

What's likely to happen if you use a hands-free phone while driving?

A: It will improve your safety

B: It will increase concentration

C: It will reduce your view

D: It will divert attention

If you answered D then you will be correct!

2) Attitude

Attitude looks more into how you should be thinking as a driver. When answering these questions, you should think about what feels the safest. Think about what you would do in the example that's been given.

Example question:

What should you do when you're overtaking a horse and rider?

A: Sound your horn as a warning

B: Go past as quickly as possible

C: Flash your headlights as a warning

D: Go past slowly and carefully

Looking at the options above, which one feels the safest to do? If you answered D then you would be correct.

3) Safety & your vehicle

This category looks at being safe with your vehicle. Questions in this category can be about how to avoid wasting fuel, seat belts and more.

Example question:

What should you do if your vehicle pulls to one side when you use the brakes?

A: Increase the pressures in your tyres

B: Have the brakes checked as soon as possible

C: Change gear and pump the brake pedal

D: Use your parking brake at the same time

On some questions, you can eliminate the wrong ones by looking at the ones that seem dangerous. If you look at answer D, you can see that one is dangerous. Using the parking brake at the same time as braking wouldn't be safe so we can rule that one out.

The safest option looks like B, to have your brakes checked as soon as possible.

4) Safety margins

This category covers questions such as stopping in ice, causes of skidding etc.

An example question:

What's the main cause of skidding?

A: The weather

B: The driver

C:The vehicle

D: The road

If you answered B the you will be correct. The road, the weather, the vehicle and the weather can all change. The one thing that is constant is the driver. Drivers are the main cause of skids because they are the ones that control what the car does.

As a driver, you should be able to read the conditions of the road and drive appropriately so that you avoid skidding.

5) Hazard awareness

This category is pretty self explanatory. It covers being aware of hazards on the road. It also covers questions about you as a driver, alcohol or medication, which are potential hazards.

Example question:

What should you do if you begin to feel drowsy while you're driving?

A: Stop and rest as soon as possible

B: Turn the heater up to keep you warm and comfortable

C: Close the car windows to help you concentrate

D: Continue with your journey but drive more slowly

Looking at the options above, which one seems the safest? If you answered A then you would be correct.

6) Vulnerable road users

This category covers questions about vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists and cyclists.

Example question:

Where should you take particular care to look for motorcyclists and cyclists?

A: On dual carriageways

B: At junctions

C: At zebra crossings

D: On one-way streets

At junctions, cyclists and motorcyclists may be harder to spot because they are smaller than other vehicles. They may also be covered by your car's pillars. This is why you need to take particular care at junctions. So if you answered B, well done.

7) Other types of vehicle

This category covers other types of vehicles such as buses, trams and lorries.

Example question:

Why should drivers be more careful on roads where trams also operate?

A: Because trams don't have a horn

B: Because trams can't stop for cars

C: Because trams don't have lights

D: Because trams can't steer to avoid obstructions

Looking at the options above, we can eliminate some answers. Even if you don't know much about trams, you can take some guesses about them.

Most if not all vehicles will have horns so that rules out A. Can you imagine a tram without lights? Neither can I, so we can rule that one out too. Can trams stop for cars? More than likely. Can they steer to avoid obstructions? No because they run on rails. So the mostly likely answer would be D because we know that you can't steer on rails.

So if you answered D, good job.

8) Vehicle handling

This category covers questions about the handling of the vehicle, such as driving in neutral, having wet brakes etc.

Example question:

What should you do when dealing with this hazard?

A: Switch on your hazard warning lights

B: Use a low gear and drive slowly

C:Use a high gear to prevent wheel spin

D: Switch on your windscreen wipers

When answering this question, you first have to know what this sign means. ( check this article to understand different signs )

What is a ford?

A ford is a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across. So now that you know you are going to be driving through shallow water, what seems to be the safest option?

If you answered B, use a low gear and drive slowly then well done.

9) Motorway rules

This category covers questions about driving on the motorway.

Example question

What's the speed limit for a car towing a trailer on a motorway?

A: 40 mph

B: 50 mph

C: 60 mph

D: 70 mph

With these type of questions, you can't really apply common sense. You will have to have studied it and know what the answer is. You can have an educated guess but only use that strategy if you are really unsure about the answer.

You can a lot of these by reading the highway code.

If you answered C, well done.

10) Rules of the road

This category covers what you are supposed to do when driving.

How far are you allowed to reverse?

A: No further than is necessary

B: No more than a car's length

C: As far as it takes to reverse around a corner

D: The length of a residential street

The most logical answer would be A, no further necessary. B sounds the safest but not practical as you may need to reverse more than a car's length. D doesn’t sound safe neither does C. So if you answered A, well done.

11) Road & traffic signs

This category is probably the one that a lot of people struggle with the most. It covers topics on signs, traffic lights and more.

Example question:

Why should you make sure that your indicators are cancelled after turning at a junction?

A: To avoid flattening the battery

B: To avoid misleading other road users

C: To avoid dazzling other road users

D: To avoid damage to the indicator relay

If you answered B then well done.

12) Documents

This category covers questions on the type of documentation you may need as a driver.

Example question:

What does third-party insurance cover?

A: Damage to your vehicle

B: Damage to other vehicles

C: Injury to yourself

D: All damage and injury

If you answered B then well done.

13) Accidents

This category covers what you should do in case of emergencies and accidents.

Example question:

Your car breaks down on a level crossing. What's the first thing you should do?

A: Tell driver behind what's happened

B: Leave your vehicle and get everyone clear

C: Walk down the track and signal the next train

D: Stay in your car until you're told yo move.

In answering this, think of the safest and most practical thing to do. You would want to leave your vehicle and get everyone out so if you answered B, well done.

14) Vehicle loading

This category covers how you should load your vehicle and how you should tow a trailer or caravan.

Example question:

Are passengers allowed to ride in a caravan that's been towed?

A: Yes, if they're over 14

B: Only if a stabiliser is fitted

C: No, not at any time

D: Only if all the seats in the towing vehicle are full

Again, think of the safest option here. Riding in a caravan while it's been towed doesn't sound very safe under any circumstances so C would be the correct answer.