Theory test

I am currently studying for the driving theory test and I was wondering how many times it took for you guys to pass it.  I remember the first time I took the US theory test, I failed.  I passed on the second go.  Same for the practical, failed the first and passed the second.  I hear the UK test's pain 

June

OK I might be slightly different as I was born in the UK and have zero connection with the US (some may ask why i'm on this site, I just have an interest on what other peoples perceptions of the UK are)

Anyway..I took my theory test in early 2004 and passed my pratical at the end of march 2004. You have two years from passing your theory to pass your pratical before you have to re-sit your theory again. I passed my theory first time and my pratical second, don't worry as plenty of people from the UK fail the tests - some of my friends took four attempts at the practical test!

The theory test as i'm sure you'll probably know is taken at a local centre where you sit down at a computer and do the multi choice questions (of which there are 35 of them - pass mark 30, they are all easy questions which originate from the Highway Code) and then the hazard perception (I found it confusing - might be worth obtaining a DVD of sample tests)

I found this (http://www.2pass.co.uk/) website invaluable when I was learning, all free information on learning to drive in the UK with online mock theory tests. It also appears free videos have been uploaded which look pretty good.

One thing which might benefit you (or may not, my driving instructor suggested it to me) is taking the theory test before you take any practical lessons - some say it can be a juggle to learn theory and practical at the same time and if you know the theory the practical may be easier.

Best of luck.

Mr Happy, I have been driving in the UK for months now and I have to pass my practical by the end of April or my dirving privileges based on my US license expire.  I haven't taken any formal UK driving lessons but I do feel comfortable with the driving part, but of course, there is always performance anxiety.

June

I passed first try...I used a practice cd-rom alot though and I think that made all the difference!

You have two years from passing your theory to pass your pratical before you have to re-sit your theory again.

As June says, there's a little more to it for somebody already driving here on a U.S. license.  Americans taking up residence in the U.K. are only allowed 12 months on their existing license.  If they haven't already passed a U.K. test (in full, all parts) by then, the legally they're restricted to driving under all the conditions of a U.K. learner (assuming that they have applied for and obtained a U.K. provisional license).

Oh, and welcome to UK-Y from another Brit (but I've lived in the U.S.). 

Paul,

I know about the visitor scheme with the DVLA (I come into contact with it quite regularly, still sometimes a nightmare to work out some parts) - I was under the impression that regardless of any licence you hold previously the moment you pass a theory test you have two years in which to pass a practical test, so you can take your theory before your US licence expires but if unsuccessful its still valid (and if you're US licence expires you know have to abide by the conditions of provisional licence ie. Supervisor and L Plates) until the two years are up where you have to then re-take the theory...thats what I was trying to say if it came across confusing.

June,

You should find it way easier than me then, the examiners don't make it any easier for us by sitting virtually in silence all the way (mine started talking once I relaxed after the first 5mins) and having quite strict standards which of course no one sticks to once passing...

june- you'll do fine with the theory test.  just study that cd-rom.  you'll be reciting the quesitons in your sleep but keep at it.  i found the hazard preception much harder.  sort of like a guessing game... is it a hazard or isn't it.  again, i bought two cd-roms and just did those like crazy.  passed on problem! happy revising (i love that english word)

Meggles is right. Memorise that damn thing! Then as soon as you've passed the test (which you will), you can empty it all out of your brain and fill it up with something more interesting!

Yes, I thought the hazard test was much more difficult than the theory. Those CDs are really good though, so make sure you get them. The actual hazard test wasn't as hard as the mock tests on the CDs, so if you can master the mock ones you'll be fine.

I was under the impression that regardless of any licence you hold previously the moment you pass a theory test you have two years in which to pass a practical test, so you can take your theory before your US licence expires but if unsuccessful its still valid (and if you're US licence expires you know have to abide by the conditions of provisional licence ie. Supervisor and L Plates) until the two years are up where you have to then re-take the theory...thats what I was trying to say if it came across confusing.

Ah O.K., I see the point you were making. 

All very confusing, especially when I'm one of those who never had to take all this written and hazard-perception test business.

I passed the theory part the first time.  I got 35/35 on the questions and like 50/75 (or whatever it was) on the hp.  That was a bit lucky of me tho as I wasn't really sure where I was supposed to click, and when I was doing the practice CD, I was scoring like zeros and ones like 5 times before I started to get the hang of it.

Practical part was hell for me.  I took my first test about a year and 4 months ago - I just yesterday passed  with 7 minors and it was my *gulp* sixth test.  I'm a bit embarrassed about that but on some of the tests I felt hard done by and honestly felt unlucky.  Plus I kept getting this same examiner that I just didn't like - in saying that, I'm sure he would have been fine if he would have passed me.  I wanted to quit but my husband and family wouldn't let me, saying it would be a HUGE waste of money, and as long as I got my license, no matter how much money I spent, it wouldn't be wasted. 

Hi June.

I did this recently. Warning: the Hazard Perception part of the test is pretty awful. I originally thought I could do it without any help, being an experienced driver, but the "video game" isn't really fair to experienced drivers. I had to do it three times before I passed. After the second time I was totally confused, so I bought some practice CD-ROMs.

What I found out is that I was consistently reacting TOO EARLY! Yes, you can do that! In fact one of the employees at the test centre admitted that it is common for experienced drivers to fail it because it is really designed for kids/beginners, so spend time with some software that teaches you how to pass first. I used these:



They only run under Windows though...I've got a Mac and had to run them using a Windows emulator (SoftWindows), and that worked adequately.

Your best chance is to pass the theory test the first time, since you can expect a delay of at least a few weeks before you can take it again. The delays have probably been the most frustrating thing for me. My time ran out on November 11th. Getting the provisional licence took months, then passing the theory test took ages. I then took a couple lessons, then scheduled a practical test. My first test was cancelled after waiting a long time for it, then there was over a month's wait for another and I didn't pass.

I got 35/35 on my theory on my first try.

Rather than "study" for the test, I just read all the questions and the answers several times. That way I never quizzed myself, read all the possible answers, got one wrong, and then was unable to remember the next time, if that makes any sense). The only things I had in my head were the questions and the answers...not three wrong answers for every question. I found that to be the easiest way. When it came to test time I recognized all the questions and knew the answers.

I practiced quite a bit with the hazard perception part and just barely passed it. Personally, I think that section is useless (it's not the same as the real thing at all) and shouldn't even be a part of the test. But, oh well.

Good luck!

I passed my theory with a 35/35 but didnt to so well on the HP test but still passed. I took my practical a few weeks later and passed the first time. It's not so bad however I did break the rules a wee bit and drove here on my US license for three years so I was pretty experienced.   

I did break the rules a wee bit

Nah...... You just bent them out of shape a little!   

In fact one of the employees at the test centre admitted that it is common for experienced drivers to fail it because it is really designed for kids/beginners,

I've heard similar comments from others along the same lines -- Experienced drivers either don't point out things which are expected simply because they are experienced and don't think the hazard significant enough, or they point out hazards which as experienced drivers they see but which beginners are not expected to notice.

Whether the hazard-perception test is of any benefit to learners I don't know, but as I've said before, I really think this is something which should be dropped as a requirement for U.S. license holders taking the tests here.  After all, there are many of us Brits who have never taken such a test anyway.

Whether the hazard-perception test is of any benefit to learners I don't know, but as I've said before, I really think this is something which should be dropped as a requirement for U.S. license holders taking the tests here.

Agreed! Why is there no reciprocal agreement between the US and the UK anyway?

I had a car and bike licence in the US. I'm only trying to get a motorbike licence here, and it's unbelievable how expensive and how difficult it is turning out to be when you'd think it wouldn't be a big deal. We've already spent over £300 and I don't have my licence yet. Now we are going to have to buy a second (tiny little 125cc) bike just so I can ride it with L plates since my year just ran out. Then I have to take my test on it and can't ride a bigger bike for two years after I pass.

I think the whole thing is unfair and US licence holders should really be exempt from most of it. Any European can come here and drive--even if they don't speak English--and they drive on the other side of the road too. At least Americans can read the road signs!