Theory and Hazard Perception Test 

If you've got your provisional licence then you're already to start on the road to becoming a safe and responsible driver!
The theory test is your first test to pass and is a computerised touch-screen, mutiple choice test, and a video based hazard perception test. They both have to be passed before you can apply for the practical driving test. You do not have to pass your theory before you can learn to drive!

You will need to take both parts of your provisional licence with you and your appointment letter. There are lockers which are free of charge in which you will need to place any bags, mobile phones or any other personal belongings.

Crawley theory test centre is a short distance from Crawley main line train station. Please note that there is no parking available at this test centre, but plently of public car parks are available within the town centre. The address is

Belgrave House (1st flr)
Station Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1HU

Theory test Part one - multiple choice

Before the test starts you'll 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. After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Theory Test Part two - hazard perception

After the break you'll then 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'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you'll 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'll only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

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

The fee for the theory test is currently £30.00, to book online follow the link below:

www.dsa.gov.uk

Once you've got through the multiple choice questions you will then go on to the hazard perception test. This test consists of 14 video clips, each lasting about one minute. The clips feature various types of hazards, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. You should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The earlier the developing hazard is spotted, and you pressing the mouse button, the higher the score.

You can score up to five marks on each hazard and the test contains 15 scoreable hazards. The pass mark for this part of the test is 44 out of 75. Various CD-Rom's and DVD's are also available to help you get through this test.

You have to pass both the theory and the hazard perception in the same sitting or it will result in a fail. You will be given your results at the end of the test. If you hav passed you will receive a pass stamp/certificate, you will then have two years in which to pass your practical driving test!