12:22 am     Sunday, 01 August 2010

The Theory Test

Introduction

The Theory Test was introduced in July 1996 and is administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
Address:

Theory Test - Local Centres

Fife has 3 Driving Test Centres which are located in :-

• Cupar
• Dunfermline - this is the only one which has a Theory Test Centre
• Kirkcaldy

The Theory Test - Booking

• You can book the Theory Test and pay for it by credit card by phoning the Booking Office on 0870 01 01 372.
   
• You will be given the date and time for your test over the telephone at that time.
   
• You can cancel or postpone the Theory Test by phoning the Booking Office on 0870 01 01 372.
   
• You must give a minimum of 3 clear working days notice of a cancellation.

The Theory Test - Rules & Procedures

• You must produce either your signed provisional driving licence and photographic identification or your provisional driving licence card with photograph at the Theory Test Centre.
   
• The Theory Test is conducted on a touch-screen computer system.
  There are 50 questions in the Test, but only one question at a time is displayed on the screen.
   
• The Theory Test lasts for 57 minutes and the amount of time left during the Test is displayed on the computer screen.
   
• You will be told the result of your test within 30 minutes at the Theory Test Centre.
   
• You must wait a minimum of 3 working days before you can re-sit the Theory Test.
   
• You must pass the Theory Test before your application for a Practical Driving Test is accepted.
   
• You will be given a certificate when you pass your Theory Test.
  The certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of your test.
   
• You must take and pass your Practical Driving Test during this 2 year term, otherwise you will have to successfully re-sit the Theory Test.
  Only then will your re-application for a Practical Driving Test be accepted.

The Theory Test - Useful Study Material

To help you with your preparation for the Theory Test, these books are worth reading.
They are published by the Stationery Office and most booksellers also stock them.

The Stationery Office Bookshop
71 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9AZ
Telephone: 0870 6076 5566

All of the Theory Test questions are taken from these books.

• Know Your Traffic Signs
• The Highway Code
• The Official Driving Manual
• The Official Motorcycling Manual
   
• The DSA has also produced a practice CD ROM containing all of the theory questions.
   
• You could also try the free practice Theory Quiz on this web site - see the link at the top of the page.

The Theory Test - Topics

All of these topics are covered in the Theory Test:

1. Accidents
   • First Aid
   • Reporting Procedures
   • Safety Regulations
   • Warning Devices
   
    
2. Alertness
   • Anticipation
   • Awareness
   • Boredom
   • Concentration
   • Distraction
   • Observation
   
    
3. Attitude
   • Close Following
   • Consideration
   • Courtesy
   • Priority
   
    
4. Documents
   • Licences
   • Insurance
   • MOT Test Certificate
   
    
5. Hazard Awareness
   • Anticipation
   • Attention
   • Hazard Awareness
   • Reaction Time
   • Speed and Distance
   • The Effects of Alcohol and Drugs
   • Tiredness
   
    
6. Motorway Rules
   • Lane Discipline
   • Lighting
   • Parking
   • Speed Limits
   • Stopping
   
    
7. Other Types of Vehicle
   • Buses
   • Lorries
   • Motorcycles
   
    
8. Road and Traffic Signs
   • Regulations
   • Road Markings
   • Road Signs
   • Speed Limits
   
    
9. Rules of the Road
   • Lane Discipline
   • Lighting
   • Parking
   • Speed Limits
   
    
10. Safety and Vehicle
    • Defects and their Effects on Safety
    • Emissions
    • Fault Detection
    • Noise
    • Use of Safety Equipment
    
     
11. Safety Margins
    • Road Surfaces
    • Skidding
    • Stopping Distances
    • Weather Conditions
    
     
12. Vehicle Handling
    • Road Conditions
    • Speed
    • Time of Day
    • Traffic Calming
    • Weather Conditions
    
     
13. Vehicle Loading
    • Stability
    • Towing Regulations
    
     
14. Vulnerable Road Users
    • Animals
    • Children
    • Cyclists
    • Disabled People
    • Elderly Drivers
    • Motorcyclists
    • New Drivers
    • Pedestrians

The Theory Test - Useful Web Sites

To help you with your revision for the Theory Test, these Internet web sites are worth a visit.

• More information about the Driving Theory Test can be found at the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) web site.
  http://www.driving-tests.co.uk
   
• You can try this FREE Theory Test - Practice Quiz based on the official questions set by the DSA.
  The QUIZ consists of a sample set of 35 multiple-choice questions taken from all 14 topics in the Theory Test.
  Your results will be immediately displayed online.
  You can do the QUIZ as many times as you like.