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.
En bref
L’examen officiel comporte 50 questions. Pour réussir : 43 of 50 multiple-choice questions, plus 44 of 75 in hazard perception. Durée : 57 minutes. Organisé par : Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Âge minimum : 17 (provisional car licence). Entraînez-vous ici gratuitement avec 300 questions, chacune avec la réponse et une explication. Vérifié à partir des sources officielles le 10 octobre 2026.
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Question 1 sur 30
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Réponse: A. 50
The multiple-choice part of the car theory test has 50 questions.
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Question 2 sur 30
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Réponse: D. 43 out of 50
You need at least 43 of the 50 multiple-choice questions right to pass this part.
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Question 3 sur 30
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Réponse: B. 57 minutes
You have 57 minutes for the 50 questions. People with reading difficulties can apply for extra time.
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Question 4 sur 30
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Réponse: C. 44 out of 75
The hazard perception pass mark for car drivers is 44 out of 75.
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Question 5 sur 30
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Réponse: A. 5 points
Each developing hazard scores up to five points. The earlier you respond as the hazard develops, the higher your score.
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Question 6 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 7 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 8 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 9 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 10 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 11 sur 30
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Réponse: B. 17
A provisional car licence normally starts on your 17th birthday. You can apply up to two months before.
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Question 12 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 13 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 14 sur 30
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Réponse: B. 1 October 2026
GDL started on 1 October 2026 for everyone whose provisional car or motorcycle entitlement begins on or after that date.
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Question 15 sur 30
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Réponse: A. Six months
GDL brings in a mandatory minimum learning period of six months for car learners. It does not apply to motorcyclists.
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Question 16 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 17 sur 30
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Réponse: B. 1 April 2027
The earliest test date is six months after your first car provisional entitlement date, if you meet the other conditions.
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Question 18 sur 30
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Réponse: B. Two years
GDL drivers display an R plate for two years after passing, which matches the two-year new driver period.
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Question 19 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 20 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 21 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 22 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 23 sur 30
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Réponse: B. It is removed
GDL removes the 45 mph restriction for learner and newly qualified drivers in the scheme.
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Question 24 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 25 sur 30
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Réponse: B. 24 months
GDL extends the old 12-month restriction period to a 24-month new driver period.
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Question 26 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 27 sur 30
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Réponse: D. 12 or more
Building up 12 or more penalty points within three years makes you liable to be disqualified under totting-up.
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Question 28 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 29 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
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Question 30 sur 30
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Réponse: 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.
Clavier : 1–4 pour répondre, Entrée pour la question suivante.
L’examen réel : 43 of 50 multiple-choice questions, plus 44 of 75 in hazard perception
À savoir avant l’examen
- 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.
Questions fréquentes
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
- nidirect: Taking the theory test
- nidirect: Preparing for the theory test
- nidirect: Book, change or cancel your theory test appointment
- nidirect: Minimum ages and rules for learner drivers and riders
- nidirect: What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers
- nidirect: Graduated Driver Licensing for newly qualified drivers
- Department for Infrastructure: Green light for Graduated Driver Licensing in October
- nidirect: Endorsements and penalty points
- nidirect: Drink driving
- nidirect: How the MOT scheme works
- The Official Highway Code for Northern Ireland