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United Kingdom · Theory test

Driving theory test pass rates: how many people pass?

Fewer than half. DVSA’s figures show 44.8% of car theory tests were passed between April 2025 and March 2026, out of about 2.9 million tests. From April to June 2026 the driving theory test pass rate was 44.0%. The bar is high: 43 out of 50 is 86%.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Driving theory test pass rates in DVSA’s latest figures

PeriodCar theory testCar practical test
April 2025 to March 202644.8% of about 2.9 million tests50.0% of about 2.0 million tests
April to June 202644.0%51.3%

DVSA updates both tables every quarter. The latest, published on 3 September 2026, cover up to June 2026.

DVSA: Car theory test pass rates (DRT111A) ↗DVSA: Car practical test pass rates (DRT121A) ↗

Why is the pass rate for the driving theory test so low?

The questions aren’t tricky, but the bar is high. You need 43 out of 50, which is 86%, and 44 out of 75 in hazard perception, both in the same sitting. Fail either part and you fail the whole test, so a strong score in one can’t make up for the other.

Many people also go in having only skimmed the Highway Code, or having practised questions but not hazard clips.

How many people pass their driving test first time?

About half. In April 2025 to March 2026, 50.5% of car practical tests taken at the first attempt were passed, from about 984,000 first attempts. Pass rates drop a little with each attempt after the second, to 43.8% for people on their sixth go or more.

The practical test is marked differently from the theory test, on driving faults rather than points. DVSA doesn’t publish a first-attempt figure for the theory test.

DVSA: Car driving test attempts and pass rates (DRT121D) ↗Driving test faults explained →

How to end up on the right side of the numbers

The theory test pass rate isn’t fixed for you. Practise hazard clips as well as questions, and learn the rules from the books the questions come from rather than memorising answers.

How to pass your theory test →Free theory test practice →

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Everything else, in one place

OverviewUK driving theory testPass markTheory test pass mark: how many can you get wrong?BookingHow to book your theory test and driving testCostHow much is the theory test, and what else will it cost?What to bringWhat do you need to bring to your theory test?Online testCan you take the theory test online?Driving testThe DVSA practical driving testHow to passHow to pass your theory test first timeHazard perceptionThe hazard perception part of the theory testCertificateYour theory test certificate and pass numberStopping distancesStopping distances for the theory testFaultsDriving test major faults, minors and how you passShow me, tell meShow me tell me questions for the driving testChange or cancelChange or cancel your driving test or theory testCancellationsDriving test cancellations: how to get an earlier testTest centresFind your nearest theory test centreNorthern IrelandThe NI theory test and driving testRoad signsAll the road signs for the theory test, by shape and colourAge rulesWhat age can you take your theory test?RetakeFailed your theory test or driving test? What happens nextHighway CodeDriving theory test books: the Highway Code and two morePractice testFree theory test practice: 20 questionsWhere to learnChoosing a theory test app, and what else to study withStudy plannerTheory test revision planner
Sources: DVSA, GOV.UK and 1 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.