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Driving

Northern Ireland Theory Test Practice 2026

Practise for the DVA car theory test in Northern Ireland. The first practice test covers rules that are special to Northern Ireland, such as Graduated Driver Licensing, R plates, penalty points for new drivers and the NI drink-drive limit. The other tests cover the Highway Code and road signs.

Read before you practiseStart with the Northern Ireland Driving Rules Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 30

    How many multiple-choice questions are in the DVA car theory test in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: A. 50

    The multiple-choice part of the car theory test has 50 questions.

  2. Question 2 of 30

    What is the pass mark for the multiple-choice part of the car theory test in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: D. 43 out of 50

    You need at least 43 of the 50 multiple-choice questions right to pass this part.

  3. Question 3 of 30

    How long do you have to answer the multiple-choice questions in the car theory test?
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    Answer: B. 57 minutes

    You have 57 minutes for the 50 questions. People with reading difficulties can apply for extra time.

  4. Question 4 of 30

    What is the pass mark for the hazard perception part of the car theory test?
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    Answer: C. 44 out of 75

    The hazard perception pass mark for car drivers is 44 out of 75.

  5. Question 5 of 30

    In the hazard perception test, what is the most you can score for one developing hazard?
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    Answer: A. 5 points

    Each developing hazard scores up to five points. The earlier you respond as the hazard develops, the higher your score.

  6. Question 6 of 30

    What happens if you click continuously or in a pattern during a hazard perception clip?
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    Answer: C. You score zero for that clip

    Clicking all the time or in a pattern is treated as cheating the test, so that clip scores zero.

  7. Question 7 of 30

    You pass the multiple-choice part of the theory test but fail the hazard perception part. What happens?
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    Answer: B. You fail the theory test and must take both parts again

    You must pass both parts at the same sitting. If you fail one part, you fail the whole test and retake both.

  8. Question 8 of 30

    How long is a Northern Ireland theory test pass certificate valid?
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    Answer: C. Two years from the date you passed

    A theory test certificate lasts two years. You must pass your practical test within that time or take the theory test again.

  9. Question 9 of 30

    You failed your car theory test. When can you sit it again?
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    Answer: A. After at least three clear working days

    You can rebook the next day, but you cannot sit the test again for another three clear working days.

  10. Question 10 of 30

    From 1 October 2026, which licence do you need to take a car theory test in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: A. A Northern Ireland provisional driving licence

    From 1 October 2026, people with a GB provisional licence cannot book or take car theory or practical tests in Northern Ireland.

  11. Question 11 of 30

    From what age does a provisional car licence normally become valid in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: B. 17

    A provisional car licence normally starts on your 17th birthday. You can apply up to two months before.

  12. Question 12 of 30

    Who may supervise a learner car driver in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: A. Someone aged 21 or over who has held a full car licence for at least three years

    The accompanying driver must be at least 21 and have held a full car licence (from NI, GB or an EU country) for at least three years.

  13. Question 13 of 30

    Where must L plates be shown when a learner is driving a car in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: B. On the front and back of the car

    L plates must be on the front and back so they can be easily seen. Take them off when a learner is not driving.

  14. Question 14 of 30

    Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) in Northern Ireland applies to learners whose provisional car entitlement starts on or after which date?
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    Answer: B. 1 October 2026

    GDL started on 1 October 2026 for everyone whose provisional car or motorcycle entitlement begins on or after that date.

  15. Question 15 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, what is the minimum learning period before a car learner can take the practical test?
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    Answer: A. Six months

    GDL brings in a mandatory minimum learning period of six months for car learners. It does not apply to motorcyclists.

  16. Question 16 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, who can sign off the modules in a learner driver’s logbook?
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    Answer: A. A supervising driver or an Approved Driving Instructor

    The Programme of Training is recorded in a logbook, and each module must be signed off by a supervising driver or an ADI.

  17. Question 17 of 30

    Your first provisional car entitlement under Graduated Driver Licensing is dated 1 October 2026. What is the earliest date you can take your practical test?
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    Answer: B. 1 April 2027

    The earliest test date is six months after your first car provisional entitlement date, if you meet the other conditions.

  18. Question 18 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, for how long must a newly qualified driver display R plates?
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    Answer: B. Two years

    GDL drivers display an R plate for two years after passing, which matches the two-year new driver period.

  19. Question 19 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, which R plate must a new driver display for the first six months after passing?
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    Answer: A. A blue R on a white background

    For the first six months the plate is a blue R on white. This is also the period when the passenger restriction applies.

  20. Question 20 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, which R plate does a new driver display for the 18 months after the first six months?
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    Answer: D. A white R on a blue background

    After six months the driver changes to a white R on a blue background for the remaining 18 months.

  21. Question 21 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, a driver aged 19 passed the test four months ago. Between 11 pm and 6 am, how many passengers aged 14 to 20 may they carry?
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    Answer: C. No more than one

    New drivers under 24 may carry no more than one passenger aged 14 to 20 between 11 pm and 6 am for six months after passing, unless an exemption applies.

  22. Question 22 of 30

    Which passenger lifts the Graduated Driver Licensing night-time passenger restriction for a new driver under 24?
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    Answer: A. A front-seat passenger aged 21 or over who has held a full licence for three years

    The restriction does not apply with a suitable front-seat passenger aged 21+ with three years’ full licence, or for immediate family members.

  23. Question 23 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, what happens to the 45 mph speed restriction for learners and new drivers?
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    Answer: B. It is removed

    GDL removes the 45 mph restriction for learner and newly qualified drivers in the scheme.

  24. Question 24 of 30

    A learner got a provisional car licence before 1 October 2026 and passes the practical test before 1 April 2027 under the old rules. What applies after passing?
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    Answer: B. An amber R plate and a 45 mph limit for one year

    People who pass under the transitional arrangements stay on the old rules: an amber R plate and a 45 mph limit for one year.

  25. Question 25 of 30

    Under Graduated Driver Licensing, how long is the new driver period after passing the practical test?
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    Answer: B. 24 months

    GDL extends the old 12-month restriction period to a 24-month new driver period.

  26. Question 26 of 30

    In Northern Ireland, what happens if a new driver gets six or more penalty points within two years of passing their first driving test?
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    Answer: A. Their licence is automatically revoked

    Under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) (NI) Order 1998, six or more points in the first two years means the licence is revoked.

  27. Question 27 of 30

    Under the totting-up system in Northern Ireland, how many penalty points within three years can lead to disqualification?
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    Answer: D. 12 or more

    Building up 12 or more penalty points within three years makes you liable to be disqualified under totting-up.

  28. Question 28 of 30

    What is the legal drink-drive limit in breath for drivers in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: C. 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath

    In Northern Ireland the limits are 35 microgrammes per 100 ml of breath, 80 mg per 100 ml of blood and 107 mg per 100 ml of urine.

  29. Question 29 of 30

    What is the legal drink-drive limit in blood for drivers in Northern Ireland?
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    Answer: A. 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood

    The blood limit in Northern Ireland is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml. The safest choice is not to drink at all if you are driving.

  30. Question 30 of 30

    In Northern Ireland, at what age does a car first need an MOT test?
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    Answer: B. Four years old

    Cars and motorcycles in Northern Ireland are due an MOT at four years old. Light goods vehicles are due from three years old.

What to know before the test

  • The car theory test has two parts taken at the same sitting: 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes (pass mark 43) and a hazard perception test (pass mark 44 out of 75). You must pass both.
  • A theory test pass certificate is valid for two years from the date you pass.
  • From 1 October 2026 you need a Northern Ireland provisional licence to book or take a car theory or practical test in Northern Ireland. A GB provisional licence is no longer accepted.
  • Graduated Driver Licensing started on 1 October 2026. New learners must learn for at least six months, complete a logbook, and show R plates for two years after passing.
  • A learner must be supervised by someone aged 21 or over who has held a full car licence for at least three years.
  • New drivers lose their licence if they get six or more penalty points within two years of passing their first test.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Northern Ireland car theory test?

There are 50 multiple-choice questions and you need 43 correct. You also take a hazard perception test, where the pass mark is 44 out of 75.

How long is the NI theory test?

You have 57 minutes for the multiple-choice questions. The hazard perception part follows at the same sitting.

Can I take the NI theory test with a GB provisional licence?

Not from 1 October 2026. You need a Northern Ireland provisional driving licence to book or take a car theory or practical test in Northern Ireland.

Do I still need to stay under 45 mph as a learner in Northern Ireland?

Not if you are in Graduated Driver Licensing, which removed the 45 mph limit. Learners who got their provisional licence before 1 October 2026 and pass before 1 April 2027 keep the old rules, including an amber R plate and a 45 mph limit for one year.

How soon can I retake the theory test if I fail?

You can rebook the next day, but you must wait three clear working days before you sit it again.

Sources

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