1. How do I comment or complain?
   
   

To comment on or complain about the Online Booking service, you can phone 0845 600 6700 or email Customer Care at dvta@nics.gov.uk

Or, you can write to:

• Theory Test
• Operations
• Driver & Vehicle Agency
• PO Box 381
• Manchester
• M50 3UW

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2. Do I need to bring any documents with me on the day of the theory test?
   
   

To take your theory test you must bring with you a current GB or Northern Ireland driving licence with provisional entitlement for the category of test you wish to take. Make sure you have signed your licence and bring both parts of it. If you don't bring both parts you may not be able to take the test and you will lose your fee.

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3. What happens when I arrive at the test centre?
   
   

On booking your test you are advised to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your test. On arrival at the centre you will be asked your name and asked to hand over both parts of your driving licence to allow invigilator staff to check your driving licence entitlement.You will be asked to store any belongings you have in a locker. You can keep the key with you during the test. All mobile phones must be switched off.You will be given a copy of the test procedures and asked to take a few minutes to read over them.The invigilator staff will then call you to check in by signing a registration log and to confirm your details. You will then be shown into the testing room and allocated an individual booth to sit your test. Check the details on the screen and if they are correct press Start on the screen to commence your test.On completion of the test you are free to quietly leave the testing room. Staff will ask you to sign out and collect any belongings from the locker. You can then take a seat in the waiting room to await your results.Should you have any problems while in the testing room, raise your hand and a member of staff will come to you.

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4. How much does the test cost?
   
   

The cost is £28.50 for the Car and Motorcycle

The cost is £32.00 for the LGV and PCV test.

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5. How long does it take to get my result?
   
   

Candidates receive their test results, and feedback information, within 30 minutes of finishing the test.

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6. Do I get feedback on what I got wrong?
   
   

Yes. For the multiple choice test candidates are given feedback on the topic areas in which they answered questions incorrectly, and the number of questions they got wrong. For the Hazard Perception element you will recieve a summary of how you scored in the 14 clips. You must pass both parts of the test to get a pass certificate.

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7. Can I take a paper-based test?
   
   

No, however, if you have special needs that mean you have particular difficulties in using Visual Display Units, tell the booking office when you book your test as special arrangements may be made in some cases.

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8. Do I need to be able to use computers?
   
   

No. The touch screen system has been carefully designed to make sure it is easy to use. Candidates can also work through a practice session for up to 15 minutes to get used to the system before actually starting their test. For the Hazard Perception test candidates click the mouse button. At the start of this test there is a tutorial video, which uses a sample test clip and recorded explanation to explain how this part of the test works. If anybody has any difficulties in using the system, just raise your hand and a member of staff will come to you to help.

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9. How long do I get to take the test?
   
   

For categories A and B, in the Multiple Choice part of the test, candidates have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions.

For categories C and D, in the Multiple Choice part of the test, candidates have 70 minutes to answer 60 questions.

For all test categories, the Hazard Perception part of the test consists of 14 video clips each lasting approximately 1 minute.

However, people with special needs can apply for additional time for the Multiple Choice part of their test. No additional time is available for the Hazard Perception part of the test. Candidates should ask for extra time when booking their test.

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10. How many questions are there?
    
    

Currently there are 50 questions in the multiple choice part of the car and motorcycle test; 60 questions in the LGV and PCV test; and 14 video clips in the hazard perception part for all categories of test.

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11. What is the pass mark?
    
    

The pass marks for the different categories of theory test are as follows:

Categories A & B (Bike & Car)Multiple Choice 43 of 50 / Hazard Perception 44 of 75

Categories C & D (LGV & PCV) Multiple Choice 51 of 60 / Hazard Perception 50 of 75

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12. How do I answer questions?
    
    

For the multiple choice element, one question at a time is shown on screen. Underneath the question the answer options are set out. To select an answer you touch the button on the screen beside the answer you want. For the hazard perception element you press the mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing. A red flag appears at the bottom of the screen each time you press the mouse button to show your response has been recorded. You do need to be careful though. If you make lots of unnecessary responses in a very short time, or throughout the clip, you will score 0 for that clip. If this happens you will see a warning message on screen at the end of the clip, as follows, "You responded to this clip in an unacceptable manner. You will score zero for this clip"

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13. Can I change an answer after I have selected one?
    
    

For the multiple choice section you can change your answer by touching the screen again. You can not change your responses to the hazard perception test.

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14. Can I skip questions I am not sure about, and go back to them later?
    
    

Yes. You can mark the multiple choice questions with a flag to help you go back to them quickly. The system also prompts you to go back to questions that you have not answered fully.The video clips in the hazard perception test are continuous. You can not go back or change your response.

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15. Can other candidates see my results on the screen?
    
    

No. Candidates sit in a private booth. In any case, there are so many different forms of the test that candidates in adjacent booths are probably sitting different tests.

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16. What happens if the computer system breaks down?
    
    

If there is a short interruption to the test, candidates are usually able to continue with the test. The answers that have been given up to that point will not normally be lost. If there is a longer interruption, candidates are offered a new test free of charge.

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17. Who is the theory test contractor?
    
    

Theory tests are delivered by Pearson VUE. This company is a world leader in computer based testing.

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18. Does everyone have to take the theory test?
    
    

From April 2003 an amendment to the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (NI) 1996 means that all candidates will have to pass the relevant theory test before they can take their practical test. However, anyone who takes a theory & practical test to obtain either a full moped or A1 License will continue to be exempt from the requirement to take a theory test as part of any future motorcycle test.

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19. Foreign Licence Holders
    
    

If you hold a full driving licence issued outside the European Economic Area it may be possible to exchange it for an equivalent GB licence. There is a booklet (the D100) which you can get from most post offices, this booklet explains the exchange licence regulations. You can also contact the Driver Vehicle Agency ( 028 70341469) who will tell you if you can or cannot exchange your driving licence. If you cannot exchange your licence you will need to take and pass a theory test before you can book a practical driving test. Any particular enquiries about whether a theory test is required should be addressed to; Customer Services Section Driver & Vehicle Agency Balmoral Rd Boucher Rd Belfast BT12 6QL 0845 6014094

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20. Can I take my practical test first?
    
    

No. You have to take and pass your theory test before a booking for the practical test is accepted.

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21. Can people with special needs use the system?
    
    

The system provides facilities for candidates with special needs. This includes being able to listen to the test read in English or 20 other languages through a headset or, for deaf candidates, being able to watch the test being signed in British Sign Language.

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22. I am colour blind. Can I still use the system?
    
    

Yes. The system has been carefully designed so that candidates who are colour blind can use it.

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23. I am dyslexic. Can I use the system?
    
    

The system has the option for dyslexic candidates to listen to the test being read in English through a headset. People with dyslexia can also apply to have up to double the standard time for the Multiple Choice part of the test. This accommodation must be arranged at the time of booking. Supporting documents such as a letter from your GP or teacher will be required.

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24. Can I take the test in a language other than English?
    
    

If you are taking the Car or Motorcycle Theory Test, you can listen through a headset to the test being read out. This includes 20 languages other than English. These are: Bengali, Cantonese, Urdu, Albanian, Hindi, Pushto, Arabic, Kashmiri, Spanish, Kurdish, Tamil, Mirpuri, Turkish, Dari, Polish, Farsi, Portuguese, Gujarati, Punjabi and Welsh. There is no additional charge for this service.

If you are taking the LGV or PCV Theory Test, you may listen through headphones to the test be read out in Welsh.

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25. The test is not available in my language. Can I bring a translator with me to translate the test?
    
    

Yes. For all test categories, translators are permitted if the test is not offered in the language in which you wish to sit the test. A translator supported Theory Testing Service is available. For further information 0845 600 6700. Fees for this service are the responsibility of candidates. This accommodation must be arranged at the time of booking.

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26. I have hearing difficulties. Can I use the system?
    
    

A video of the test in British Sign Language is available on screen for candidates who are deaf or have other hearing difficulties. This accommodation should be arranged at the time of booking.

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27. I have light-sensitive epilepsy. How can I take a theory test?
    
    

Special arrangements can be made through the booking office to enable you to take your theory test. The actual arrangements will depend on your exact needs, but may involve using a flicker-free screen like those used in a laptop.

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28. How do I book a theory test?
    
    

You can book your theory test online at anytime on www.dvtani.gov.uk . You will need your Driving Licence Number and a valid credit or debit card. If you book by this method you will be given a date and time of your theory test immediately. To book by telephone, using a credit or debit card, ring the booking service on 0845 600 6700 (local rate), Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 8am to 4pm. Application forms are also accepted by post with cheque or postal order payment.

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29. Where do I get an application form?
    
    

Application forms are available from theory test and practical test centres, Approved Driving Instructors or on request from DVA Headquarters, 028 90547915.

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30. Where do I send my application form?
    
    

Application forms for the theory test should be sent to the address shown on the form. The address on these forms is Driver and Vehicle Agency, Booking Department, PO Box 381, Manchester, M50 3UW.

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31. What material can I revise from?
    
    

To prepare properly for the Theory Test we strongly recommend that you study the books from which the questions are taken. These books, known as the source material, consist of The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and the appropriate Official DSA Theory Test Book for the vehicle category in which you are taking your test. Also available are the Official DSA Guide to Hazard Perception DVD, which will allow you to sit practice Hazard Perception tests and the Official DSA Theory Test CD-Rom for the vehicle category in which you are taking you test. Like the book the CD-Rom contains the full Theory Test question bank and also gives the opportunity to sit practice tests for the multiple choice part of the Theory Test.

The latest revision material is available from The Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street Belfast BT1 4GD and all good bookshops.

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