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WHAT DOES THE THEORY TEST INVOLVE?


You need to pass the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Theory Test before you can book your Practical Driving Test.

The local DSA Theory Test Centres in the Shamrock Driving School area are in Bristol, Swindon and Salisbury. You can book or amend your Theory Test by phoning the DSA on 0300 2001122 or online at http://direct.gov.uk/booktheorytest or http://direct.gov.uk/changetheorytest (BE AWARE other non-official websites may charge a booking fee!).

Make sure you take both parts of your driving licence (the photo card and paper counterpart) or, if you don't have a photo card, your paper licence and a valid passport otherwise you won't be allowed to take the test! You need to allow up to one and three quarter hours to take the test which comprises separate multiple choice and hazard perception elements.



Learn to Drive Safely & Pass Your Driving Test with Shamrock Driving School!
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MULTIPLE CHOICE

The DSA Theory Test comprises 50 multiple choice questions, using a touch screen computer, and the pass mark is 43 out of 50. The time allowed is 57 minutes. You can review the questions and amend your answers prior to ending this part of the test. Make sure you read the questions and answers properly!

The multiple choice element of the Theory Test comprises 45 multiple choice questions and one case study style question where you will be presented with a case study scenario and need to answer 5 multiple choice questions related to this case study. There is nothing to worry about provided you understand all the current questions in the DSA Theory Test question bank. An example of the type of case study question can be seen at theory test case study example.

The test can be taken in a variety of languages and people with reading difficulties can wear headphones to hear the questions and available answers plus they may be able to request additional time and a "reader" to read the questions and multiple choice answers to them.

HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST (HPT)

The HPT follows the Multiple Choice element and consists of fourteen video clips, each lasting about a minute, taken from a car driving on a variety of real roads.

There are a total of fifteen developing hazards (i.e. one clip contains two hazards) which you need to react to as soon as they start to appear in order to score points. A developing hazard is one which causes you to change speed or direction (e.g. people walking into the road or a vehicle / bike pulling out in front of you, walkers / jogger / horse in the road, etc). It is essential to be aware of everything happening on the screen in the near / mid / far distance and anticipate hazards developing; as you would when driving a real car. You score from five to zero points depending on how quickly you click the mouse button once a hazard begins to develop. The pass mark is 44 out of 75.

Shamrock Driving School recommend that you click as soon as you see the hazard start to develop and once or twice again soon after in case you click too early, when you would score nothing. Don't click too often or rhythmically otherwise the software decides that you are trying to cheat and you will score zero for that clip.

To see a DSA You Tube video explaining what happens on the day of your Theory Test, go to the DSA section of our Links page!


Learn to Drive Safely and Pass Your Driving Test with Shamrock Driving School!
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RECOMMENDED STUDY

On average it takes about 21hrs private study to pass the DSA Theory Test. Whilst many pupils study for the DSA Theory Test in their own time Shamrock Driving School is always available to provide help and guidance, including multiple choice and hazard perception training using a laptop PC.

It is essential to read all 900+ questions in the DSA Theory Test Question Bank and practice for the Hazard Perception Test using interactive video clips. As of 23rd January 2012 the DSA are ceasing publication of the LIVE mutliple choice question bank but will be publishing revision questions.

SHAMROCK DRIVING SCHOOL GIVE YOU FREE ACCESS TO "THEORY TEST PRO" (RRP £9.99 for a 30 Day Pass) - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PASS THE DSA THEORY TEST AT YOUR CONVENIENCE ON YOUR LAPTOP OR PC! INCLUDES THE ENTIRE OFFICIAL DSA QUESTION BANK, INTERACTIVE HAZARD PERCEPTION VIDEOS & THE HIGHWAY CODE. See Links page for details on how to log in. As of 23rd January 2012 the DSA are ceasing publication of the LIVE mutliple choice question bank but will be publishing revision questions.

You can take two free mock Theory Tests online at www.direct.gov.uk/theorytest.

Shamrock Driving School also recommends the following books and DVD:

"Official DSA Theory Test" Book containing the entire DSA Theory Test Question Bank. As of 23rd January 2012 the DSA are ceasing publication of the LIVE question bank but will be publishing revision questions.

"The Highway Code" (included in "Official DSA Theory Test" book and "Driving Test Success All Tests" DVD). The "Know Your Traffic Signs" booklet, containing detailed information on traffic signs, signals and road markings, is now available to download for free at Know Your Traffic Signs.

"Driving Test Success All Tests" DVD containing the entire DSA Theory Test Question Bank, 100+ interactive hazard perception clips and Multiple Choice / Hazard Perception Mock Tests.

THE ABOVE BOOKS & DVD ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE FROM AMAZON.CO.UK USING THE LINK BELOW!

Call 01249 821433 or 07939058851 now for full details of how we can help you to succeed!