DRIVING TEST FEATURE - THEORY BEFORE PRACTICE

Driving schools these days must not only prepare students for a practical test, they also have to give every support in preparing them for the written theory test which must be taken first.

The test covers far more ground than the few questions on the Highway Code which rounded off the previous practical test. The written exam encompasses areas such as driver attitude, risk assessment and hazard perception, a valuable addition to driver training, most driving schools would acknowledge.

The test covers far more ground than the few questions on the Highway Code which rounded off the previous practical test. The written exam encompasses areas such as driver attitude, risk assessment and hazard perception, a valuable addition to driver training, most driving schools would acknowledge.

Incorporating a theory test, which bought us into line with other EC countries, has meant an additional fee over and above the practical test fee for both cars and motorbikes. There's also more to learn, although the information you'll need can be found in books, not least the Highway Code itself. Many driving schools help students with the theory element by either providing book or video packs, or have linked up with local colleges to provide evening classes. Interactive CD-ROM or other software-based systems are also available.

Check it out with your local driving school. Given the wide range of subjects that the current test will span, it's advisable to devote a good few hours to study for it, the experts warn. The test itself takes the form of 50 multiple choice questions and you will have to achieve a score of 30 or higher to pass. The test will be set in variou...