Could you pass England, Scotland and Wales’s driving theory test? Take our quiz

Do you know when the Highway Code was last updated, which group of road users take priority or when you should use your fog lights? Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

The news that a learner driver failed their theory test 59 times before finally passing has raised a few wry smiles among experienced drivers. But with evolving traffic rules and the way habits creep into driving, who is to say that any of us could pass or re-pass the driving theory test at the drop of a hat? Why not see how highly you can score in our quiz about the driving test in England, Scotland and Wales?

The Guardian driving theory test 2023

1. When was the Highway Code last updated?

   1. September 2023

   2. September 2022

   3. September 2021

   4. September 2020

2. Which is the correct hierarchy of road users, according to the Highway Code?

   1. Pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, motorcyclists

   2. Pedestrians, motorcyclists, horse riders, cyclists

   3. Pedestrians, horse riders, motorcyclists, cyclists

   4. Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists

3. 

   When did rear seatbelts become mandatory in the UK?

   1. 1981

   2. 1991

   3. 2001

   4. 2011

4. If you've stopped at the side of the road and are going to be waiting there some time, what must you do?

   1. Put your headlights on

   2. Use your hazard lights

   3. Switch off the radio to avoid your battery draining

   4. Switch off your engine

5. How far away must you be able to read a vehicle number plate from?

   1. 5 metres

   2. 10 metres

   3. 15 metres

   4. 20 metres

6. 

   This sign has a blue background, and says "London, Leeds, 47, M1". The 47 is in a black box with a white border. What does the 47 represent?

   1. The number of miles to the next service station

   2. The junction number on a motorway

   3. The number of miles since the start of the motorway

   4. The number of roundabouts in Milton Keynes

7. The Highway Code states that before overtaking you should make sure three things have been done. Which of these IS NOT on the list?

   1. Make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead

   2. Make sure road users are not beginning to overtake you

   3. Use your indicator or a hand signal to alert other road users to the manoeuvre

   4. Make sure there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake

8. What is the total stopping distance, according to the Highway Code, including reaction time, when travelling at 70mph?

   1. 53 metres

   2. 73 metres

   3. 96 metres

   4. 106 metres

9. Traffic signs in the UK giving orders are normally which shape?

   1. A white circle with a red border

   2. A white rectangle with a red border

   3. A blue rectangle with a white border

   4. A white triangle with a red border

10. 

    You may use front fog lights with headlights ONLY when visibility is reduced to less than?

    1. 100 metres

    2. 200 metres

    3. 300 metres

    4. 400 metres

11. It can be an expensive business repeatedly failing your driving test. How much does it cost in England, Wales or Scotland to take your car and motorcycle theory test?

    1. £13

    2. £23

    3. £33

    4. £43

12. Once you've taken your theory test, you then need to pass the practical test as well. How much does it cost in England, Scotland or Wales to book a practical car driving test that will be taken on a weekday during daylight hours?

    1. £32

    2. £42

    3. £52

    4. £62

13. 

    The UK has several road crossing types named after animals, including the zebra crossing. But which of these is NOT a crossing type named in the highway code?

    1. Toucan

    2. Puffin

    3. Peacock

    4. Pelican

14. 

    You come across a sign which is a circle with a red border and other than that it is completely white. What does it mean?

    1. The road is closed ahead

    2. No vehicles allowed past this point

    3. National speed limits now apply

    4. Danger – invisible squirrels

Solutions

1:A - It was actually on 17 September 2023, just a few weeks ago. It updated rules 113 and 124 to note the national speed limit for built-up areas in Wales has changed from 30mph to 20mph, and also added Restricted Roads (20mph Speed Limit) Order 2022 to the list of legislation., 2:D - There was a bit of a kerfuffle when it was introduced, but the Highway Code says: "The ‘hierarchy of road users’ is a concept that places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. The hierarchy does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly. The road users most likely to be injured in the event of a collision are pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists, with children, older adults and disabled people being more at risk.", 3:B - All passengers in a car in the UK must wear a seatbelt if a seatbelt has been fitted to the seat by the manufacturer. Since 1991, this law has extended to the passengers in the rear seats., 4:D - Rule 123 of the Highway Code states that "if the vehicle is stationary and is likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, you should apply the parking brake and switch off the engine to reduce emissions and noise pollution.", 5:D - Rule 92 states you MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres., 6:B - The number in the black box is the junction number., 7:C - You need to have completed the other three checks first before you signal that you are going to overtake and commit to doing so., 8:C - That is 315 feet, or twenty-four car lengths, and includes 21 metres of thinking time., 9:A - Orders that must be obeyed are usually on a white circle with a red border. White triangles with a red border are used for warnings., 10:A - It is an offence to use fog lights if the visibility is better than 100 metres. The Highway Code stresses that you must switch front fog lights off if the fog clears to avoid dazzling others, but also remain aware that fog may be patchy., 11:B - You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day you take your theory or driving test, and a car and motorcycle tests costs £23., 12:D - You can pay more if you want the test to take place in the evening or at weekends. In Northern Ireland it costs £65., 13:C - Pelican crossings require a pedestrian to intervene by pressing a button and requesting traffic to stop so they can cross the road, toucan crossings allow bikes as well as pedestrians, and puffin crossings have sensors that can detect when the crossing is clear and control the lights accordingly., 14:B - The sign states that no vehicles are allowed past this point. Bicycles may only proceed past this sign if pushed.

Scores

1. 0 and above.

   We hope you had fun – and that if you drive and scored badly you might go and re-check the Highway Code!