Revise the right material
Use The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and official DVSA learning material.
Official revision guidanceFirst Pass Academy learning centre
Practical driving study library
Choose a driving skill, review its key teaching points and open the full visual diagrams without searching through one long page.
Theory test
Know the format before test day
You must pass both the multiple-choice and hazard-perception parts in the same test appointment.
50multiple-choice questions
57 minquestion time
43 / 50multiple-choice pass mark
44 / 75hazard pass mark
Watch the official guide
See how the theory test works, including the question and hazard-perception sections.
Watch DVSA theory guideUnderstand developing hazards
Learn when a possible hazard becomes something that requires a change of speed or direction.
Watch DVSA hazard videoVideo learning
Official theory and hazard videos
Use these two official guides to understand the test format and how developing hazards are assessed.
Question format, timing and hazard perception.
Watch the DVSA guideRecognise when a potential hazard begins to require action.
Watch hazard guidanceQuick knowledge check
Try a 10-question practice test
These original educational questions reinforce safe-driving decisions. They are not copied from the live DVSA question bank.
Mini theory practice
Choose one answer for each question, then check your score and explanations.
Your result will appear here.
Learning notice: This practice is educational and does not reproduce the live DVSA question bank. Always revise with the current Highway Code and official DVSA resources.
Official source: Test figures and format are checked against current GOV.UK guidance. Always use the official Highway Code and DVSA materials for full revision.
Practical learning library
Choose from all 27 driving skills
Pick the skill you need now. Only that lesson will open, with key teaching points, diagrams and two selected videos.
0/27reviewed
01Legal responsibilitiesBasics›
02Vehicle safety checksBasics›
03Cockpit checksBasics›
04SecurityBasics›
05Controls and instrumentsControl›
06Moving away and stoppingControl›
07Safe positioningControl›
08Mirrors – vision and useObservation›
09SignalsObservation›
10Anticipation and planningObservation›
11Use of speedObservation›
12Other trafficObservation›
13Fuel-efficient drivingObservation›
14JunctionsJunctions›
15RoundaboutsJunctions›
16Pedestrian crossingsJunctions›
17ReversingManoeuvres›
18Turning the car aroundManoeuvres›
19ParkingManoeuvres›
20Emergency stopManoeuvres›
21Country roadsRoad types›
22Dual carriagewaysRoad types›
23MotorwaysRoad types›
24Driving in the darkConditions›
25Weather conditionsConditions›
26Passengers and loadsConditions›
27Independent driving and routesRoutes›
How the practical test works and when you are readyView guide
Practical driving test
What the examiner needs to see
Safe, legal and independent driving—not perfection. You need consistent observation, control, planning and appropriate decisions without creating risk.
The test structure
1
Eyesight checkRead a number plate at the required distance.
2
Vehicle safety questionsOne “tell me” before driving and one “show me” while driving.
3
General and independent drivingAbout 35 minutes overall, including 20–35 minutes following sat-nav directions, signs or both.
4
One reversing exerciseParallel park, bay park, or pull up on the right and reverse before rejoining.
Official DVSA framework
The 27 skills for safe, independent driving
The current DVSA learning-to-drive record groups 27 skills into eight areas. Open a skill for its standard, coaching key points, an original First Pass visual guide and two selected video lessons.
How First Pass Academy uses the framework
We use these skills to structure lessons, assess progress and decide what should come next. The aim is not simply to remember a test route; it is to make safe decisions consistently and independently.
1Choose a skillSearch or select a topic
2Open the visual guideSee the road plan and coaching routine
3Learn and practiseUse the key points, then watch both videos
Open a skill to start learning
27 original visual guides · 54 selected videosInteractive driving labs. Open a focused lesson without scrolling through the full library: fundamentals, observation and planning, or the detailed Turning Left routine.
First Pass Visual Handbook. Every chapter now opens an original photorealistic UK teaching scene with numbered observation points, manoeuvre paths, routine and coaching notes.
Read / print the complete book →Quality reviewed September 2026: every topic has two relevant UK teaching videos selected from established driving-education channels, with official government material where available. YouTube content can change; GOV.UK, the Highway Code and your instructor remain the authoritative sources.
No matching skill found. Try a shorter search or choose “All 27 skills”.
01 Basics · skills 1–4
01Legal responsibilities
What you need to understand
Licence, insurance, vehicle legality, eyesight, fitness to drive and your responsibility for safe decisions.
Practise and review
Know the documents and checks that apply before driving, and never drive when unfit or uninsured.
02Safety checks
Standard
Identify important checks for tyres, lights, fluids, brakes, steering, windows and warning indicators.
Practise
Use a simple pre-drive routine and learn the official “show me, tell me” safety questions.
03Cockpit checks
Standard
Set doors, seat, steering position, head restraint, seat belt and mirrors before moving.
Practise
Complete the same cockpit routine calmly every time you enter the car.
04Security
Standard
Leave the vehicle secure, safely positioned and protected against avoidable risk.
Practise
Park legally, apply the parking brake, select the correct gear or park mode, switch off and secure the vehicle.
02 Control and positioning · skills 5–7
05Controls and instruments
Standard
Use the accelerator, brakes, steering and secondary controls smoothly without losing observation.
Practise
Locate key controls before driving and operate them without looking away from the road for too long.
06Moving away and stopping
DVSA-aligned standard
Prepare the car, observe effectively, choose a safe gap and move smoothly. Stop in a safe, legal and controlled position.
Common faults
Missing a blind-spot check, moving into another road user’s path, poor control or stopping where visibility is restricted.
First Pass visual plan · POM routine
Loading selected video lessons…P
Prepare›O
Mirrors›Blind spot›Safe gap›M
Move
Prepare›O
Mirrors›Blind spot›Safe gap›M
Move
07Safe positioning
Standard
Maintain a safe road position, clearance and lane discipline while adapting to hazards.
Practise
Look well ahead, plan early and avoid driving too close to the kerb, centre line or parked vehicles.
03 Observation, signalling and planning · skills 8–13
08Mirrors – vision and use
Standard
Check the correct mirrors in good time before changing speed, direction or road position.
Practise
Make checks early enough that the information can genuinely change your decision.
09Signals
Standard
Give clear, well-timed signals when they will help another road user; cancel them when no longer needed.
Practise
Mirror, decide, signal and keep checking that your signal still communicates the right intention.
10Anticipation and planning
Standard
Identify developing hazards early and create enough time and space to respond safely.
Practise
Scan far, middle and near distance; ask what might happen next rather than reacting late.
11Use of speed
Standard
Drive within the legal limit at a speed suitable for visibility, traffic, road layout and weather.
Practise
Adjust early for bends, crossings, parked vehicles and restricted views; avoid both excess speed and unnecessary hesitation.
12Other traffic
Standard
Interact safely with meeting, crossing, overtaking and following traffic, including vulnerable road users.
Practise
Maintain safe gaps, understand priorities and never force another road user to change speed or direction abruptly.
13Fuel-efficient driving
Standard
Plan ahead, use smooth control and avoid unnecessary acceleration or braking while maintaining safety.
Practise
Keep a steady pace, anticipate changes and avoid idling or harsh control where possible.
04 Junctions, roundabouts and crossings · skills 14–16
14Junctions
Standard
Approach at a safe speed and position, observe effectively and emerge or turn only when safe.
Practise
Use mirrors, signal when useful, position, adjust speed and look into every relevant zone.
15Roundabouts
Standard
Read signs and markings, choose the correct lane, judge gaps, signal and leave with safe lane discipline.
Practise
Plan before the give-way line and avoid entering until the gap is genuinely safe.
16Pedestrian crossings
Standard
Recognise crossings early, control speed and give priority correctly while checking surrounding traffic.
Practise
Scan pavements, islands and approach areas; never invite pedestrians to cross when another lane may be unsafe.
05 Manoeuvres · skills 17–20
17Reversing
Standard
Reverse slowly and accurately with effective all-round observation throughout.
Practise
Pause whenever safety or observation needs priority; never rely only on the reversing camera.
18Turning the car around
Standard
Choose a safe, legal method and location to change direction without creating avoidable risk.
Practise
Assess space, visibility, traffic and alternatives before beginning any turning manoeuvre.
19Parking
Standard
Park with control, accuracy and observation using a suitable bay, parallel or roadside method.
Practise
Use slow control, regular all-round checks and correct safely when needed rather than rushing.
20Emergency stop
Standard
React promptly, stop under full control and secure the vehicle before observing and moving again.
Practise
Keep both hands controlling the steering, brake firmly and make full observations before restarting.
06 Road types · skills 21–23
21Country roads
Standard
Adapt speed and position for bends, narrow lanes, limited views, animals and changing surfaces.
Practise
Drive at the speed you can safely stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
22Dual carriageways
Standard
Join, maintain safe speed and separation, overtake correctly and leave with good planning.
Practise
Use acceleration lanes effectively, keep left unless overtaking and plan exits early.
23Motorways
Standard
Understand safe joining, lane discipline, smart-motorway signs, breakdown procedures and higher-speed planning.
Practise
Motorway driving is not part of the practical car test but is an important post-test or suitable learner skill.
07 Driving conditions · skills 24–26
24Driving in the dark
Standard
Use lights correctly, manage reduced visibility and adjust speed for what can be seen.
Practise
Recognise glare, pedestrians and cyclists early and keep windows, mirrors and lights clear.
25Weather conditions
Standard
Adapt speed, following distance, controls and visibility for rain, fog, ice, wind and bright sunlight.
Practise
Plan more space and time, make smooth inputs and know when conditions are unsafe to continue.
26Passengers and loads
Standard
Understand how passengers, distractions and loads affect safety, handling and stopping distance.
Practise
Secure loads, manage distractions and keep responsibility for safe decisions with the driver.
08 Following routes · skill 27
27Independent driving and following routes
Standard
Follow sat-nav directions, traffic signs or a series of instructions while continuing to drive safely.
Practise
If you miss a direction, continue safely. Safe control and decisions matter more than following the route perfectly.
Visual routines
Simple sequences to remember
MSM–PSL at junctions
A structured approach that keeps observation and planning ahead of the car.
MMirrors›SSignal›PPosition›SSpeed›LLook
POM when moving off
Prepare first, observe fully, then move only when the decision is safe.
PPrepare›OObserve›MMove
Official test overview
Check the latest structure, duration and exercises directly on GOV.UK.
What happens during the testShow me, tell me
Review the official vehicle-safety questions and demonstration videos.
Open official questionsUnderstand faults
Learn how driving, serious and dangerous faults affect your result.
Official fault guidanceHow this learning guide was written: The 27-skill structure follows the official DVSA Ready to Pass framework. Safety rules are checked against the current Highway Code. The teaching text and visual lessons are independently created by First Pass Academy; First Pass Academy is not endorsed by DVSA.
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