Two pass marks, two parts and one result: that is the car theory test in numbers. GOV.UK’s guide and booking service are for England, Wales and Scotland (its booking page sets a residency rule for those nations and points to a different service for Northern Ireland), while nidirect covers the Northern Ireland test. This article lays out the published figures for each, then the booking rules and what to bring. Figures are as stated on the pages read on 25 October 2026.
The figures on one page
- Multiple-choice part: 50 questions in 57 minutes, pass mark 43 out of 50.
- Hazard perception part: 14 video clips, up to 5 points per developing hazard, pass mark 44 out of 75.
- Both parts: booked and taken as a single test, and both must be passed.
- Fee for a car test: £23 on the GOV.UK booking page.
- Pass certificate: lasts 2 years, in which time the driving test must be passed.
- Rebooking after a fail: at least 3 working days later.
Part one: 50 questions in 57 minutes
GOV.UK says three of the 50 questions are about a short silent video showing a normal driving situation, such as driving through a town centre or on a country road. The video can be watched as many times as wanted. Questions can be flagged to come back to, and any answer can be reviewed and changed at any point. A candidate does not have to use the full 57 minutes, and a break of up to 3 minutes is allowed before the hazard perception test starts.
Part two: what the hazard clips score
Before the clips, a video explains how the part works. Each of the 14 clips shows everyday road scenes and contains at least one ‘developing hazard’, though one clip features two. GOV.UK defines a developing hazard as something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.
Its example: a parked car doing nothing is not a developing hazard. When its right-hand indicator starts to flash and it moves away, so that you would need to slow down, it has become one.
Scoring rules on the GOV.UK page:
- Up to 5 points are available for each developing hazard.
- A high score comes from clicking the mouse as soon as the hazard starts to develop.
- Points are not lost for a wrong click, but clicking continuously or in a pattern scores nothing.
- There is one attempt at each clip, with no review or changing of responses.
Who has to take it, and when
A provisional driving licence is needed to book. GOV.UK says the test can be taken from a 17th birthday, or from a 16th birthday for someone who gets, or has applied for, the higher weekly rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment. The booking page says candidates must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the 12 months before the day they take their theory or driving test.
Not every upgrade needs a car theory test. GOV.UK lists those who do not need one, including someone upgrading an automatic car licence to a manual one, and holders of a category B1 licence from before 1 February 2001. Anyone with a moped or motorcycle licence must pass the car theory test before the car driving test.
What to take to the test centre
- A UK photocard driving licence. A licence from Northern Ireland needs the photocard and the paper counterpart.
- For a paper licence, a valid passport as well.
- If a name changed after booking, proof such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.
GOV.UK warns the test will be cancelled with no refund if the right things are not brought. A lost licence needs a replacement application, which could take up to 15 days to arrive.
If the result is a fail
The result is given at the test centre. GOV.UK says a fail letter shows which parts were not scored high enough, and the full test must be booked and taken again even if one part was passed. A pass letter carries the certificate number needed when booking and taking the driving test.
Northern Ireland: a separate service
Learners in Northern Ireland also face graduated driver licensing rules, covered in what changed on 1 October 2026. The GOV.UK booking page says there is a different service for booking a theory test in Northern Ireland. nidirect states the car pass marks as 43 out of 50 for the multiple-choice part and 44 out of 75 for hazard perception, and says passing one part and failing the other fails the whole test. It also says all car theory tests now use video clips, with three questions answered about a clip lasting up to 30 seconds.
Further nidirect points:
- A Northern Ireland provisional licence is required to take a test there. From 1 October 2026, holders of a GB provisional licence cannot book or take car or motorcycle theory or practical tests in Northern Ireland.
- Candidates bring both parts of a valid signed Northern Ireland licence, and are advised to arrive 15 minutes before the test.
- Mobile phones, bags, coats and notes go in a locker, and a prohibited item in the testing room ends the test with the fee lost.
- Having someone impersonate a candidate is an offence with a fine of up to £2,500.
The bottom line
In both Great Britain and Northern Ireland the published car pass marks are 43 out of 50 and 44 out of 75, and both parts must be passed in one sitting. GOV.UK gives a £23 fee, a 2-year certificate and a 3 working day wait for a retake in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own booking service and its own guidance on nidirect.
Sources
- Theory test: cars, Booking your test (gov.uk)
- Theory test: cars, Multiple-choice questions (gov.uk)
- Theory test: cars, Hazard perception test (gov.uk)
- Theory test: cars, Pass mark and test result (gov.uk)
- Theory test: cars, What to take to your test (gov.uk)
- Book your theory test (gov.uk)
- About the driving theory test (nidirect.gov.uk)
- Taking the theory test (nidirect.gov.uk)
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