You can book the part 1 theory test (Module 1) of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you have your provisional licence.
The test is made up of two parts – multiple choice and hazard perception. You have to book both parts separately, but you can take them on the same day.
It does not matter which one you take first but you need to pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate.
What to take to your test
You must bring one of the following:
If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
Your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee if you do not bring the right documents.
Revision and practice
You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests.
Multiple-choice questions
The multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
Study these to learn the rules and skills you will be tested on.
You can buy them from most high street and online bookshops.
Take a practice test
Take a practice theory test to check how much you have learnt. The questions are not used in the real test, but they are based on the same topics as the test.
Hazard perception test
To prepare for this test you can use the official guide to hazard perception.
You can buy the guide in these formats:
You can also buy it as an interactive DVD from most high street and online bookshops.
How the test works
Multiple-choice questions part
You have 1 hour and 55 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.
Before the test starts, you will get:
A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.
The pass mark for this part is 85 out of 100 questions.
Leaving a question
You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.
Changing your answers
You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.
When you have finished
You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you have answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Hazard perception part
Before you start the hazard perception test, you will be shown a video about how it works.
You will then watch 19 video clips. The clips:
You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.
What a ‘developing hazard’ is
A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.
Example – A car is parked at the side of the road and is not doing anything. It would not cause you to take action, so it is not a developing hazard.
When you get closer, the car’s right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You would need to slow down, so it is now a developing hazard.
How the scoring works
You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.
To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.
You do not lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.
You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.
The pass mark for this part is 67 out of 100.
Your test result
You will be given a letter at the test centre with the results for the part of the theory test you have just taken.
When you have passed both parts, your theory test certificate will be posted to you. You need this when you book your Driver CPC part 3a and part 3b driving tests.
Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.
You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3a and part 3b driving tests within 2 years; otherwise, you will have to pass the part 1 theory test again.
If you fail the theory tests
You will get a results letter with feedback telling you why you have failed.
You can book another theory test straight away, but you cannot take it for another three clear working days.
Cancelled tests
You can apply for a refund of out of pocket expenses if the DVSA cancels your test at short notice.
Source – DVSA
