Free Theory Test Practice Papers

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The theory test is designed to assess your knowledge of the rules of the road. In order to be a safe driver it is vital that you understand what the road signs are telling you to do, that you are driving legally and following procedures and systems set in place, and that you are able to read potential hazardous situations and be able to deal with them appropriately. So whilst the theory test is taken as a separate test to the practical driving test, you will be using your theory knowledge for the rest of your driving life.

The theory test is a multiple choice test, with up to 4 possible answers (some questions have up to 6 possible answers) and you must select the correct answer or answers for that question. There are 50 questions in total and you must score at least 35 out of 50 to pass this element of the theory test. Five of the questions will be given as part of a case study, putting an everyday scenario to your theory knowledge.You have 97 minutes to complete the multiple choice element of the theory test. If you are stuck on a question you can also red flag it and come back to it later.

There are over 1000 questions in the DSA question bank covering 14 different topics, so your theory test will consist of 3-4 randomly selected questions from each section to give you an even spread of questions. When practising theory papers such as on The Hub, if you are getting questions wrong within the same section then you could read up on those areas before you take your actual theory test. The DSA has now stopped publishing the actual questions and answers to the theory test to stop people learning the answers by rote. It is important that you understand ‘why’ you are doing something when driving, as this knowledge could save your life one day.

A great source of learning theory is whilst on your driving lesson but you can also practice theory papers for FREE on The Hub! We have inputted the most recently released theory questions from the DSA and have randomly selected 3-4 questions from each of the 14 sections, to give you the closest experience to taking the actual theory test as you can get. We have also created case studies too. The multiple choice element of the theory test is only one part of the theory test, you must also pass the hazard perception element of the test to pass the theory test overall. If you fail either part you will have to re-sit both parts again.

The theory test consists of 50 questions with between 4 and 6 possible answers. To pass this section of the test you need to get at least 43 out of 50 correct. Work your way through the questions below and when you´ve completed all the questions, press finish. If you are stuck on a question, simply click the Next button, you can always return to any question by clicking the question number below. There is no time limit on this test and once completed you will get a breakdown of the results including an explanation to the answers. Good luck!

Q 1. At an incident a casualty is unconscious but still breathing. You should only move them if Mark 1 answer
	a)	an ambulance is on its way			b)	bystanders advise you to
	c)	there is further danger			d)	bystanders will help you to

Q 2. If a trailer swerves or snakes when you are towing it you should Mark 1 answer
	a)	ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed			b)	let go of the steering wheel and let it correct itself
	c)	brake hard and hold the pedal down			d)	increase your speed as quickly as possible

Q 3. Where is the safest place to park your vehicle at night? Mark 1 answer
	a)	In a garage			b)	On a busy road
	c)	In a quiet car park			d)	Near a red route

Q 4. You are turning left into a side road. What hazards should you be especially aware of? Mark 1 answer
	a)	One way street			b)	Pedestrians
	c)	Traffic congestion			d)	Parked vehicles

Q 5. At a busy unmarked crossroads, which of the following has priority? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Vehicles going straight ahead			b)	vehicles turning right
	c)	None of the vehicles			d)	The vehicles that arrived first

Q 6. The Pass Plus scheme is aimed at all newly qualified drivers. It enables them to Mark 1 answer
	a)	widen their driving experience			b)	supervise a learner driver
	c)	increase their insurance premiums			d)	avoid mechanical breakdowns

Q 7. When the traffic lights change to green the white car should Mark 1 answer
	a)	wait for the cyclist to pull away			b)	move off quickly and turn in front of the cyclist
	c)	move close up to the cyclist to beat the lights			d)	sound the horn to warn the cyclist

Q 8. What does this sign mean? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Wait at the barriers			b)	Wait at the crossroads
	c)	Give way to trams			d)	Give way to farm vehicles

Q 9. Which TWO are badly affected if the tyres are under-inflated? Mark 2 answers
	a)	Braking			b)	Steering
	c)	Changing gear			d)	Parking

Q 10. You should ONLY use a mobile phone when Mark 1 answer
	a)	receiving a call			b)	suitably parked
	c)	driving at less than 30 mph			d)	driving an automatic vehicle

Q 11. At the scene of a traffic incident you should Mark 1 answer
	a)	not put yourself at risk			b)	go to those casualties who are screaming
	c)	pull everybody out of their vehicles			d)	leave vehicle engines switched on

Q 12. How can you stop a caravan snaking from side to side? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Turn the steering wheel slowly to each side			b)	Accelerate to increase your speed
	c)	Stop as quickly as you can			d)	Slow down very gradually

Q 13. You are waiting to turn right at the end of a road. Your view is obstructed by parked vehicles. What should you do? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Stop and then move forward slowly and carefully for a proper view			b)	Move quickly to where you can see so you only block traffic from one direction
	c)	Wait for a pedestrian to let you know when it is safe for you to emerge			d)	Turn your vehicle around immediately and find another junction to use

Q 14. While you are driving in fog, it becomes necessary to use front fog lights. You should Mark 1 answer
	a)	only turn them on in heavy traffic conditions			b)	remember not to use them on motorways
	c)	only use them on dual carriageways			d)	remember to switch them off as visibility improves

Q 15. You are driving on the motorway in windy conditions. When passing high-sided vehicles you should Mark 1 answer
	a)	increase your speed			b)	be wary of a sudden gust
	c)	drive alongside very closely			d)	expect normal conditions

Q 16. You have a collision whilst your car is moving. What is the FIRST thing you must do? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Stop only if someone waves at you			b)	Call the emergency services
	c)	Stop at the scene of the incident			d)	Call your insurance company

Q 17. You start to feel tired while driving. What should you do? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Increase your speed slightly			b)	Decrease your speed slightly
	c)	Find a less busy route			d)	Pull over at a safe place to rest

Q 18. You wish to turn right ahead. Why should you take up the correct position in good time? Mark 1 answer
	a)	To allow other drivers to pull out in front of you			b)	To give a better view into the road that you´re joining
	c)	To help other road users know what you intend to do			d)	To allow drivers to pass you on the right

Q 19. New drivers can take further training after passing the practical test. A Pass Plus course will help to Mark 2 answers
	a)	improve your basic skills			b)	widen your experience
	c)	increase your insurance premiums			d)	get cheaper road tax

Q 20. You are on a three-lane motorway. A red cross is shown above the hard shoulder and mandatory speed limits above all other lanes. This means Mark 1 answer
	a)	the hard shoulder can be used as a rest area if you feel tired			b)	the hard shoulder is for emergency or breakdown use only
	c)	the hard shoulder can be used as a normal running lane			d)	the hard shoulder has a speed limit of 50 mph

Q 21. As a driver, you can help reduce pollution levels in town centres by Mark 1 answer
	a)	driving more quickly			b)	over-revving in a low gear
	c)	walking or cycling			d)	driving short journeys

Q 22. What is the meaning of this sign? Mark 1 answer
	a)	No entry			b)	Waiting restrictions
	c)	National speed limit			d)	School crossing patrol

Q 23. Which THREE pieces of information are found on a vehicle registration document? Mark 3 answers
	a)	Registered keeper			b)	Make of the vehicle
	c)	Service history details			d)	Date of the MOT
	e)	Type of insurance cover			f)	Engine size

Q 24. Travelling for long distances in neutral (known as coasting) Mark 1 answer
	a)	improves the driver´s control			b)	makes steering easier
	c)	reduces the driver´s control			d)	uses more fuel

Q 25. At an incident a casualty is unconscious. Which THREE of these should you check urgently? Mark 3 answers
	a)	Circulation			b)	Airway
	c)	Shock			d)	Breathing
	e)	Broken bones

Q 26. You are parking on a two-way road at night. The speed limit is 40 mph. You should park on the Mark 1 answer
	a)	left with parking lights on			b)	left with no lights on
	c)	right with parking lights on			d)	right with dipped headlights on

Q 27. You are reversing around a corner when you notice a pedestrian walking behind you. What should you do? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Slow down and wave the pedestrian across			b)	Continue reversing and steer round the pedestrian
	c)	Stop and give way			d)	Continue reversing and sound your horn

Q 28. Before starting a journey in freezing weather you should clear ice and snow from your vehicle´s Mark 4 answers
	a)	aerial			b)	windows
	c)	bumper			d)	lights
	e)	mirrors			f)	number plates

Q 29. At toucan crossings Mark 1 answer
	a)	you only stop if someone is waiting to cross			b)	cyclists are not permitted
	c)	there is a continuously flashing amber beacon			d)	pedestrians and cyclists may cross

Q 30. When emerging from junctions, which is most likely to obstruct your view? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Winscreen pillars			b)	Steering wheel
	c)	Interior mirror			d)	Windscreen wipers

Q 31. The left-hand lane of a motorway should be used for Mark 1 answer
	a)	breakdowns and emergencies only			b)	overtaking slower traffic in the other lanes
	c)	slow vehicles only			d)	normal driving

Q 32. Why is it more difficult to overtake a large vehicle than a car? Mark 1 answer
	a)	It takes longer to pass one			b)	They may suddenly pull up
	c)	Their brakes are not as good			d)	They climb hills more slowly

Q 33. You see this sign at a crossroads. You should Mark 1 answer
	a)	maintain the same speed			b)	carry on with great care
	c)	finad another route			d)	telephone the police

Q 34. After a collision someone is unconscious in their vehicle. When should you call the emergency services? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Only as a last resort			b)	As soon as possible
	c)	After you have woken them up			d)	After checking for broken bones

Q 35. Your vehicle has broken down on a motorway. You are not able to stop on the hard shoulder. What should you do? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Switch on your hazard warning lights			b)	Stop following traffic and ask for help
	c)	Attempt to repair your vehicle quickly			d)	Stand behind your vehicle to warn others

Q 36. Where would you see these road markings? Mark 1 answer
	a)	At a level crossing			b)	On a motorway slip road
	c)	At a pedestrian crossing			d)	On a single-track road

Q 37. Which of these plates normally appear with this road sign? Mark 1 answer
	a)				b)
	c)				d)

Q 38. A person herding sheep asks you to stop. You should Mark 1 answer
	a)	ignore them as they have no authority			b)	stop and switch off your engine
	c)	continue on but drive slowly			d)	try and get past quickly

Q 39. What does this sign mean? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Buses turning			b)	Ring road
	c)	Mini-roundabout			d)	Keep right

Q 40. It is very windy. You are about to overtake a motorcyclist. You should Mark 1 answer
	a)	overtake slowly			b)	allow extra room
	c)	sound your horn			d)	keep close as you pass

Q 41. You are towing a small trailer on a busy three-lane motorway. All the lanes are open. You must Mark 2 answers
	a)	not exceed 60 mph			b)	not overtake
	c)	have a stabiliser fitted			d)	use only the left and centre lanes

Q 42. What does this sign mean? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Uneven road surface			b)	Bridge over the road
	c)	Road ahead ends			d)	Water across the road

Q 43. You are in an Active Traffic Management area on a motorway. When the Actively Managed mode is operating Mark 1 answer
	a)	speed limits are only advisory			b)	the national speed limit will apply
	c)	the speed limit is always 30 mph			d)	all speed limit signals are set

Q 44. Some two-way roads are divided into three lanes. Why are these particularly dangerous? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Traffic in both directions can use the middle lane to overtake			b)	Traffic can travel faster in poor weather conditions
	c)	Traffic can overtake on the left			d)	Traffic uses the middle lane for emergencies only

Q 45. You are entering an area of roadworks. There is a temporary speed limit displayed. You should Mark 1 answer
	a)	not exceed the speed limit			b)	obey the limit only during rush hour
	c)	ignore the displayed limit			d)	obey the limit except at night

Q 46. At an incident a casualty is not breathing. To start the process to restore normal breathing you should Mark 3 answers
	a)	tilt their head forward			b)	clear the airway
	c)	turn them on their side			d)	tilt their head back gently
	e)	pinch the nostrils together			f)	put their arms across their chest

Q 47. When leaving your car to help keep it secure you should Mark 1 answer
	a)	leave the hazard warning lights on			b)	lock it and remove the key
	c)	park in a one-way street			d)	park in a residential area

Q 48. Before overtaking a large vehicle you should keep well back. Why is this? Mark 1 answer
	a)	To give acceleration space to overtake quickly on blind bends			b)	To get the best view of the road ahead
	c)	To leave a gap in case the vehicle stops and rolls back			d)	To offer other drivers a safe gap if they want to overtake you

Q 49. On a road where trams operate, which of these vehicles will be most at risk from the tram rails? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Cars			b)	Cycles
	c)	Buses			d)	Lorries

Q 50. You are following a vehicle at a safe distance on a wet road. Another driver overtakes you and pulls into the gap you have left. What should you do? Mark 1 answer
	a)	Flash your headlights as a warning			b)	Try to overtake safely as soon as you can
	c)	Drop back to regain a safe distance			d)	Stay close to the other vehicle until it moves on

Crown copyright material has been reproduced by permission of the Driving Standards Agency which does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the reproduction.