What's the point of the theory test?
The official theory test is a relatively recent addition to the driving test, and has evolved and become more comprehensive over time. For many of us who ask our parents about the driving test, they have vague memories of being asked perhaps one or two questions at the start of the test about cars, but then getting on with the practical test itself.
Well, the point of the theory test is to ensure that new road users - those who pass their learners test - are aware of the rules of the road. Additionally, since the introduction of the hazard perception test, the theory test also ensures that they are aware of potential hazards and think about potential hazards and developing hazards whilst they are driving.
Research and statistics show that when a learner passes their test and becomes a licensed driver, they are more vulnerable than most in the first few months after they pass their test. Therefore by ensuring that they have passed a theory test it helps ensure that not only they know how to drive but also understanding driving theory, hazard perception. The ultimate aim is therefore to increase road safety for all and decrease the number of accidents that occur.
So the aims behind the theory test are noble and therefore you should see it not as a chore and extra expense but something that provides you with valuable information about the road and other road users, and thinking about hazards and so on could potentially save your life or that of other road users one day. It is in this context that you can see preparing thoroughly for the theory test is important; and of course you have to pass the theory test before you can take the practical test and become a fully fledged road user.
Related Articles...
The automatic transmission explained
Whilst the automatic transmission system is very clever, you still need to have some control over it, and this is where the selector lever comes into play, which is in the place that you would have...
Road conditions: driving in rain
Driving in rain is something that you can be sure you will experience regularly once you are an actual driver, although depending where you live and the time of year you learnt, you might have...
What to do when you sell a vehicle
When you sell a vehicle, there are some things that you have to do straight away. As soon as the vehicle is sold you have to tell the DVLA, which stands for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency,...
The lane discipline of a motorway
Driving on a motorway is not something you will be able to do until you pass your test, and therefore it is important to understand as much about motorway driving as you can before your first...
How to book your driving theory test
There is now an online booking system in place that will allow you to book a driving theory test online.
There are also other ways to book a driving theory test: over the phone and you can...
What are driving offences
Driving offences are what happens when you do not meet your obligations as a road user.
This could be something like not having the correct documentation that you require or something much...
Car Driving Test Fees
This article looks at the costs, which were correct as of October 2009.
A standard car and motorcycle theory test costs £31.
In terms of the practical test, the price is a good deal...
Road Tax Disc Explained
You might hear to this referred as to something called excise licence, but in common parlance (speech!) this is called road tax.
And you will have a circular piece of paper that comes to show...
The different types of tyre and maintenance
You might tire of talking about tyres, but these are extremely important elements of your car, being the only part that touches the road.
And they need to be in good working order to do their...
Tyre pressure checking
The one check that everyone knows to perform is to check the pressure of their tyres, but a visual inspection is not enough. Clearly you can spot something really obvious this way, such as if a...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions
