Theory test

[Meaty Weaty]

My son is struggling to pass the theory test. His practical and hazard perception is fine, but he has a mental block on the theory. Does anyone knwo of any good books / Cd's / dvd's that he could use? Or any useful hints and tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Davey_wavey(!)]

The DSA does their own CD-ROM which takes you through practice theory tests - my partner found this pretty useful and passed her test.

As a non-driver I took a practice test for a laugh and only got 27/35 which was a fail. Although I'm not convinced that knowing the precise hours between which you are not allowed to sound your horn in a built up area makes someone a good driver!

[Jonny Fortnight]

Although I'm not convinced that knowing the precise hours between which you are not allowed to sound your horn in a built up area makes someone a good driver!

I think it's just pub opening hours!?

[Davey_wavey(!)]

I think it was 23:30-07:00, something like that.

[Jonny Fortnight]

I think it was 23:30-07:00, something like that.

Exactly right:


92: The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

• while stationary on the road
• when driving in a built up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am

except when another vehicle poses a danger.

[ChrisFlyByNight]

I think people should be allowed to use their horn at any time. We live in a 24hour society these days.

[Davey_wavey(!)]

Well apart from anything else, visibility is going to be worse at night meaning that a vocal warning is more likely to be required.

It's interesting that you can't use your horn when stationary, as aside from scaring birds/animals out the way the most common times I see people using them are:

1) When stuck in traffic and some person up ahead is holding things up
2) Vehicles waiting outside a house to pick someone up

[Jonny Fortnight]

I often use my horn whilst sitting at traffic lights, to scare the bejesus out of pedestrians.

I also find it a problem when I accidently use my horn when turning up the volume on my stereo or setting the cruise control (they're all on the steering wheel).

[ChrisFlyByNight]

You don't hear cars with the twin tone horns that play tunes these days (Dukes of Hazard style). Its one boy racer nuisance I don't miss!

[Tink424]

If he can't pass that theory test he shouldn't be out in public, much less in a car.

Just kidding.

The DVLA site is the best for the theory test. But!!! Do not waste money on their overpriced DVD's - just print out the most common questions asked, study it like mad for 1 hr (there will be about 8 pages) & then go & take the test. The most common questions are the road signs anyway - they don't really ask about road markings much anymore.

There is a really simple formula for stopping distances. So simple that i've forgotten it.