APIEReading Practice: The UK Driving Theory Test
Learning to drive and getting a licence
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
UK Car Theory & Driving Test
Learn essential rules from GOV.UK about getting a UK driving licence while practising key IELTS reading skills.
Guide How to use this lesson
📌 Teacher Note
Use this 15-minute lesson to build IELTS Reading skills with UK test rules.
Check answers using the simple evidence lines provided below each task.
🎯 Learner Guide
Read the pinned text (Paragraphs A–D) carefully first.
Then answer the 8 IELTS-style questions and read the explanations to check your work.
Learning to Drive and Getting a Licence
GOV.UK, the website of the UK government, says that learner drivers must pass a theory test before they can book a driving test. The car theory test has two parts. In the first part, you have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need 43 points to pass.
The second part is the hazard perception test. You watch 14 video clips, and one clip has two developing hazards. You click the mouse as soon as you see a hazard start to develop, and you can score up to 5 points for each one. You need 44 points out of 75 to pass this part.
You must pass both parts. If you fail one part, GOV.UK says that you must take the full test again, and you must wait at least three working days before you do it. When you pass, your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years.
In the driving test, you can make no more than 15 driving faults, which GOV.UK also calls minors. You cannot make any serious or dangerous faults, which GOV.UK calls majors. In the test, the examiner also asks you to do one reversing exercise, such as parallel parking at the side of the road.
Sentence Pattern to Notice
"It took Maria three months to pass the test, and she spent about two hours a day practising."
Why this works: Use "It took [person] [time] to [action]" when sharing personal experiences or describing how long an activity took to complete.
IELTS Practice Questions
Answer the 8 questions below based on the reading passage. Complete all tasks to test your understanding.
Questions 1–3
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? Write TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN.
1. You must pass the theory test before you can book a driving test.
2. You can retake only the hazard perception test if you fail it.
3. The theory test costs less money on weekdays than on weekends.
Questions 4–5
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
4. What happens during the hazard perception part of the test?
5. What is true about driving faults during the practical driving test?
Questions 6–7
Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A–D.
6. Information about how long your theory pass certificate remains valid.
7. Details about a reversing exercise required by the driving examiner.
Question 8
Complete the sentence below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for the answer.
8. Fill in the missing information:
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