Driving Theory Test The UK driving theory test for car drivers (category B) is made up of two parts: Multiple-Choice Questions Hazard Perception Test For the multiple-choice section, the questions are drawn from a wide range of topics. These are grouped into specific categories as laid out by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). ✅ Official Multiple-Choice Question Categories There are 14 categories in total:

Driving Theory Test Practice



The UK driving theory test for car drivers (category B) is made up of two parts:

  1. Multiple-Choice Questions
  2. Hazard Perception Test

For the multiple-choice section, the questions are drawn from a wide range of topics. These are grouped into specific categories as laid out by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency).

✅ Official Multiple-Choice Question Categories

There are 14 categories in total:

Alertness


This topic is all about being aware of what's going on around you while driving.
 You’re tested on your ability to:

  • Use mirrors effectively before any manoeuvre
  • Stay alert and avoid distractions (e.g., mobile phones, loud music)
  • Spot road signs, pedestrians, and vehicles early
  • Understand blind spots and how to check them
  • Know when to take breaks on long journeys to avoid fatigue

Key DVSA messages: Observation saves lives. Good awareness = good judgement.

This topic is all about being aware of whats going on around you while driving. You’re tested on your ability to: Use mirrors effectively before any manoeuvre Stay alert and avoid distractions (e.g., mobile phones, loud music) Spot road signs, pedestrians, and vehicles early Understand blind spots and how to check them Know when to take breaks on long journeys to avoid fatigue Key DVSA messages: Observation saves lives. Good awareness = good judgement.
Focuses on your behaviour and courtesy towards others. Understanding the Highway Codes advice on being considerate Giving vulnerable road users space Not tailgating Not driving aggressively Using appropriate signals Knowing how to deal with other drivers’ bad behaviour without reacting Key DVSA message: A positive driving attitude reduces risk.

Attitude


Focuses on your behaviour and courtesy towards others.

  • Understanding the Highway Code's advice on being considerate
  • Giving vulnerable road users space
  • Not tailgating
  • Not driving aggressively
  • Using appropriate signals
  • Knowing how to deal with other drivers’ bad behaviour without reacting

Key DVSA message: A positive driving attitude reduces risk.

Safety and Your Vehicle


Checks and maintenance to keep your car safe and roadworthy.

  • Knowing how to check tyres, oil, brakes, and lights
  • What warning lights mean on your dashboard
  • Understanding vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency
  • Keeping windows clear and washer fluid topped up
  • Effects of poorly maintained vehicles on road safety

Key DVSA message: A well-maintained vehicle helps prevent accidents.

Focuses on your behaviour and courtesy towards others. Understanding the Highway Codes advice on being considerate Giving vulnerable road users space Not tailgating Not driving aggressively Using appropriate signals Knowing how to deal with other drivers’ bad behaviour without reacting Key DVSA message: A positive driving attitude reduces risk.
Safety Margins Managing the distance between your vehicle and others, especially in different weather conditions. Stopping distances in dry, wet, and icy conditions Safe overtaking distances Skid control and how to avoid aquaplaning Using engine braking effectively on slopes The “two-second rule” and four seconds in the wet Key DVSA message: Leave enough space – its your safety cushion.

Safety Margins


Managing the distance between your vehicle and others, especially in different weather conditions.

  • Stopping distances in dry, wet, and icy conditions
  • Safe overtaking distances
  • Skid control and how to avoid aquaplaning
  • Using engine braking effectively on slopes
  • The “two-second rule” and four seconds in the wet

Key DVSA message: Leave enough space – it's your safety cushion.

Hazard Awareness


Spotting and reacting to potential dangers early.

  • Recognising hazards like parked vehicles, roadworks, animals
  • How speed affects your ability to react
  • Importance of scanning the road ahead
  • Recognising unpredictable behaviour (e.g., children playing near the road)
  • Effects of tiredness, alcohol, or drugs on hazard awareness

Key DVSA message: Anticipation buys time to avoid danger.


Hazard Awareness Spotting and reacting to potential dangers early. Recognising hazards like parked vehicles, roadworks, animals How speed affects your ability to react Importance of scanning the road ahead Recognising unpredictable behaviour (e.g., children playing near the road) Effects of tiredness, alcohol, or drugs on hazard awareness Key DVSA message: Anticipation buys time to avoid danger.
Vulnerable Road Users Understanding how to safely share the road with those who are most at risk. Pedestrians, especially children, older people, and those with disabilities Cyclists and motorcyclists – give them space and watch for sudden moves Horse riders – slow down and pass wide Recognising signs of vulnerability, like L-plates, learner riders, or mobility scooters Key DVSA message: Vulnerable users need more time and space

Vulnerable Road Users



Understanding how to safely share the road with those who are most at risk.

  • Pedestrians, especially children, older people, and those with disabilities
  • Cyclists and motorcyclists – give them space and watch for sudden moves
  • Horse riders – slow down and pass wide
  • Recognising signs of vulnerability, like L-plates, learner riders, or mobility scooters

Key DVSA message: Vulnerable users need more time and space.

Other Types of Vehicle



Awareness of how larger or unusual vehicles behave on the road.

  • Overtaking long vehicles safely
  • Positioning behind a large vehicle at junctions
  • Allowing extra space for vehicles turning wide
  • Being cautious around buses, trams, and slow-moving vehicles
  • Rules on level crossings and emergency vehicles

Key DVSA message: Every vehicle type has unique risks – adapt accordingly

Other Types of Vehicle Awareness of how larger or unusual vehicles behave on the road. Overtaking long vehicles safely Positioning behind a large vehicle at junctions Allowing extra space for vehicles turning wide Being cautious around buses, trams, and slow-moving vehicles Rules on level crossings and emergency vehicles Key DVSA message: Every vehicle type has unique risks – adapt accordingly
Road Conditions and Vehicle Handling Driving techniques for different weather and road types. Adjusting your speed and braking in rain, fog, snow, and ice Driving on country roads vs. urban roads Dangers of bends, camber, and poor road surfaces Understanding the effects of road surfaces and tyre grip Use of gears on hills and in adverse weather Key DVSA message: Match your driving to the conditions.

Road Conditions and Vehicle Handling


Driving techniques for different weather and road types.

  • Adjusting your speed and braking in rain, fog, snow, and ice
  • Driving on country roads vs. urban roads
  • Dangers of bends, camber, and poor road surfaces
  • Understanding the effects of road surfaces and tyre grip
  • Use of gears on hills and in adverse weather

Key DVSA message: Match your driving to the conditions.

Motorway Rules



Essential motorway knowledge, including what to do in breakdowns.

  • Lane discipline and what the hard shoulder is for
  • Motorway signs and signals (including smart motorways)
  • Speed limits and variable limits
  • Entering and exiting motorways safely
  • What to do if your vehicle breaks down or you're involved in an incident

Key DVSA message: Motorways are fast and busy – know the rules before you drive.

Motorway Rules Essential motorway knowledge, including what to do in breakdowns. Lane discipline and what the hard shoulder is for Motorway signs and signals (including smart motorways) Speed limits and variable limits Entering and exiting motorways safely What to do if your vehicle breaks down or youre involved in an incident Key DVSA message: Motorways are fast and busy – know the rules before you drive.
Rules of the Road Covers the laws and regulations that apply to all drivers. Who has priority at junctions and roundabouts Understanding road markings and their meanings Knowing speed limits for different vehicle types and roads Rules for stopping and parking Following police and traffic officer directions Key DVSA message: Knowing the rules builds safe, confident drivers.

Rules of the Road



Covers the laws and regulations that apply to all drivers.

  • Who has priority at junctions and roundabouts
  • Understanding road markings and their meanings
  • Knowing speed limits for different vehicle types and roads
  • Rules for stopping and parking
  • Following police and traffic officer directions

Key DVSA message: Knowing the rules builds safe, confident drivers.

Road and Traffic Signs


One of the most test-heavy topics.

  • Recognising and responding to warning, informational, regulatory, and directional signs
  • Understanding traffic lights and road markings
  • Dealing with temporary signs (e.g., roadworks)
  • Recognising signs for different classes of road user
  • Importance of obeying lane arrows, bus lanes, and box junctions

Key DVSA message: Signs keep traffic safe and flowing – don’t ignore them.

Road and Traffic Signs One of the most test-heavy topics. Recognising and responding to warning, informational, regulatory, and directional signs Understanding traffic lights and road markings Dealing with temporary signs (e.g., roadworks) Recognising signs for different classes of road user Importance of obeying lane arrows, bus lanes, and box junctions Key DVSA message: Signs keep traffic safe and flowing – don’t ignore them.
Documents Essential legal documents all drivers must know about. The role of the MOT, insurance, and registration documents When you must notify the DVLA (e.g., medical conditions, vehicle changes) The difference between third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive insurance Driving without insurance or a valid MOT – penalties Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) Key DVSA message: Know your legal responsibilities as a driver.

Documents


Essential legal documents all drivers must know about.

  • The role of the MOT, insurance, and registration documents
  • When you must notify the DVLA (e.g., medical conditions, vehicle changes)
  • The difference between third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive insurance
  • Driving without insurance or a valid MOT – penalties
  • Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN)

Key DVSA message: Know your legal responsibilities as a driver.

Incidents, Accidents and Emergencies



What to do if you're involved in or witness a collision.

  • Steps to take at the scene (stop, assess, contact emergency services)
  • Providing basic first aid, including recovery position
  • When to exchange details and report an accident
  • Using warning triangles, hazard lights
  • What to do if your vehicle causes an obstruction

Key DVSA message: Preparation saves lives in an emergency.


Incidents, Accidents and Emergencies What to do if youre involved in or witness a collision. Steps to take at the scene (stop, assess, contact emergency services) Providing basic first aid, including recovery position When to exchange details and report an accident Using warning triangles, hazard lights What to do if your vehicle causes an obstruction Key DVSA message: Preparation saves lives in an emergency.
How to carry loads safely and legally. The effect of extra weight on braking and handling Securing loads properly inside and outside the vehicle Legal limits for carrying people and goods Awareness of towing regulations and trailer safety Adjusting tyre pressures when fully loaded Key DVSA message: An unbalanced vehicle is a danger to all road users.

Vehicle Loading


How to carry loads safely and legally.

  • The effect of extra weight on braking and handling
  • Securing loads properly inside and outside the vehicle
  • Legal limits for carrying people and goods
  • Awareness of towing regulations and trailer safety
  • Adjusting tyre pressures when fully loaded

Key DVSA message: An unbalanced vehicle is a danger to all road users.

Show Me - Tell Me


Questions for the show me, tell me section where you explain to the examiner how to operate and check specific parts of your car.

Hazard Perception Test Hazard Perception You’ll be shown 14 video clips with developing hazards. You must click when you spot a hazard beginning to develop. One clip will have two hazards to spot.

Hazard Perception Test



Hazard Perception

  • You’ll be shown 14 video clips with developing hazards.
  • You must click when you spot a hazard beginning to develop.
  • One clip will have two hazards to spot.
  • Max score: 75 points. Pass mark: 44.