01 - FREE UK DRIVING THEORY TEST

The Essential Skills theory test for driving is a crucial component in ensuring road safety for all road users. This test is designed to assess a driver’s knowledge of the rules and regulations of driving, as well as their ability to apply them in real-life situations.

The Essential Skills - Test 01

1 / 25

If you have to brake on a bend, you should anticipate the vehicle being thrown...?

To the inside of the curve

Straight forward

Sideways

To the outside of the curve

2 / 25

You're approaching a major road from a minor road. At the junction, who has priority?

You

Traffic on the major road

Whoever reaches the junction first

Whoever is travelling fastest

3 / 25

Two amber lights flashing warn traffic of what?

Fire station ahead

Swing bridge ahead

School crossing point ahead

Low-flying aircraft ahead

4 / 25

When moving off uphill, you will use...?

Accelerator, clutch and parking brake

Accelerator and clutch

Clutch and parking brake

Accelerator and parking brake

5 / 25

The lap part of a seatbelt should fit...?

At the top of the hips

As low on the hips as possible

Just under the ribs

Around the navel

6 / 25

After a traffic light has displayed a red light, what is the next light in the cycle?

Amber

Green

Red and amber together

Green and amber together

7 / 25

The maximum speed permitted on a single carriageway road in the UK is what?

70 mph

60 mph

50 mph

40 mph

8 / 25

After using your mirrors to check, you should always check over your shoulder in your blindspot...?

Unless you have a radar system

Unless you have auxiliary mirrors

In all circumstances

Unless you have a camera system

9 / 25

You're approaching a left turn into a minor road that you wish to join; there's a cyclist between you and the junction. What should you do?

Hoot to tell the cyclist that you are coming

Speed up to make the junction before the cyclist

Hang back until the cyclist has cleared the junction

Shout a warning to the cyclist

10 / 25

An elderly pedestrian is taking a long time to get over crossing. You should...?

Edge forward to the crossing boundary

Pull round on the crossing when there is room

Rev your engine to hurry them

Wait patiently until they are across

11 / 25

In normal circumstances, which of these describes how you should use the brakes?

Start lightly and increase pressure

Pump the brakes on and off

Start forcefully and decrease pressure

Use the maximum force possible

12 / 25

You're planning to slow down 50 m ahead. To warn drivers behind, you can...?

Turn on your hazard lights

Sound your horn

Any of these

Flash your brake lights

13 / 25

For normal overtaking, when there is a solid white line down the centre of the road you must not...?

Drive your car completely over it

Drive more than half your car width over it

Cross it at all

Drive more than three quarters of your car width over it

14 / 25

Left and right turn arrows painted on the road tell you what?

That the turn is opposite you

That you have priority for the turn

Exactly where to make the turn

Which lane to choose for your turn

15 / 25

Skidding is usually caused by what?

Poor driving

Road conditions

Tyre failure

Mechanical faults

16 / 25

A vehicle ahead of you moves to overtake the next vehicle down the road. You also want to overtake. What should you do?

Follow the other driver at a distance

Wait until the other driver has completed their overtake

Follow the other driver closely

Overtake both vehicles at once

17 / 25

At a four exit roundabout, you want to go all the way round then back the way you've come. You should...?

Drive round between the left and right lanes

Stay in the left lane all the way round

Stay in the left lane then switch to right halfway round

Stay in the right lane until you've passed the exit before the one you want

18 / 25

A single broken white line at the entrance to a roundabout means what?

You must give way to the right

You have priority

None of the above

You don't need to stop before joining roundabout

19 / 25

When you see a sign warning you to look out for children, you can ignore it...?

Out of school hours

Under no circumstances

During school holidays

At night time

20 / 25

When approaching a left-hand bend, you should...?

Move to the left of your lane

Keep to the centre of your lane

Move halfway into the opposite lane if possible

Move to the right of your lane

21 / 25

Fluorescent white studs are used to mark what?

The left-hand side of the road

The right-hand side of the road

The edge of a slip road

Lane dividers or the centre of the road

22 / 25

At a Y junction, who has priority?

Vehicles joining the main road

Vehicles leaving the main road

Vehicles going straight ahead

It may be any of these

23 / 25

When making an overtake, you should consider doing what?

Changing to a higher gear

Changing to a lower gear

Changing to neutral

Switching rapidly between gears

24 / 25

When travelling in good dry conditions at 55 miles an hour, the gap between you and the vehicle in front should be...?

65 m

35 m

45 m

55 m

25 / 25

At roadworks, a red stop sign with white lettering is...?

As compulsory as a red traffic light

Advisory only

None of these

Only applicable if there is oncoming traffic

Your score is

The test covers a range of topics, including road signs, hazard perception, vehicle safety, and legal responsibilities. By taking this test, drivers can gain confidence in their own driving abilities and ensure that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge to navigate various road scenarios safely. Additionally, passing The Essential Skills theory test on the first attempt reflects positively on a driver’s competence and can help them negotiate better insurance rates. Overall, The Essential Skills theory test is a crucial step in the process of becoming a safe and responsible driver, and it is highly recommended that all drivers take advantage of the free practice test to pass the test on their first attempt.

5 Common Reasons Students Fail Their Driving Theory Test UK

The theory test is the first crucial step everyone must take to get their driver’s licence. Before you can prove yourself on the road, you must ensure you’re prepared to answer these questions. For some driving students, these exams can be daunting, and many others may find themselves unready once the exam comes. To ensure you do your best, here are 5 of the most common reasons driving students fail their driving theory test UK.

Test Anxiety – Stressing over your test results is, unfortunately, not a good way to improve your chances of success. Worrying takes up valuable energy in your brain, reducing your concentration level. The best ways to settle this problem are to relax, breathe deeply, and perhaps close your eyes briefly.
Cramming At The Last Minute – Staying awake late for one day or more before the exam is also shown to be counterproductive. When your body lacks sleep, your brain cannot perform as well as normally. Study in advance and get a good night’s rest before you take your exam.
Complexity Of Questions – Many test questions commonly found in exams are deliberately worded to ensure you’re paying attention. Even if you’ve memorized the answers, following along with the questions can be difficult if you don’t fully understand them. When studying, be sure to test yourself on the idea and not just the words as they are written, and be sure to read every question on the exam thoroughly.
Not Knowing What To Expect – Studies have shown that taking a pre-test before the exam greatly increases one’s ability to succeed. Those taking the exam without knowing what they’re in for may be caught off-guard by what they find. Luckily, many free resources are available for taking a written pre-test, which you should utilize for the best results.
Unhealthy Behavior – While it may seem trivial, ensuring you’ve had enough food and water before taking the exam may make all the difference. But, when your body is healthy, then so is your mind. Make sure you’re feeling your best when it comes time for your exam, and you’ll be much more prepared.

With these five mistakes to avoid, we wish you all the best when taking your exam. For practice pre-tests covering theory tests in the UK, visit us and get the resources you need to pass on your first try!

You must first pass the Driving Theory Test UK to gain your full driver’s license. This free UK driving theory test is designed to test your knowledge of the Highway Code and driving in the UK. Questions are created using the Official DVSA Guide to Driving.

Many rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules, you are committing a criminal offense.

Understand what the theory test involves and its cost: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) created and administered the UK driving theory test. The test comprises two sections. The first section has 50 multiple-choice questions. The second is a hazard perception test; it uses video clips. The test usually costs £23.