The Driving Standard Agency requires every citizen wishing to get a driver’s license to pass two tests: the theory test and the practical driving exam.  The theory test is based on what is learned during the classroom instruction of a citizen’s driver education course.  It is broken down into two sections, the multiple choice section which is based on book knowledge, and the hazard perception clip test, which requires the student to identify potential driving hazards in fourteen presented scenarios.  Both tests must be passed before the person can move on and take the driving test.

The multiple choice section of the DSA theory test is made up of thirty-five questions.  It is administered on a computer with a touch screen where the student would select their answer.  The student needs to correctly answer thirty of the thirty-five questions in order to pass.  If you need to give more than one answer to a question, the computer will alert you by flashing the text at the upper left hand corner.  Students have forty minutes to complete the test and it will end automatically at the end of that time period.

If the student finishes the test before the end of the forty minutes, they have the opportunity to review their test and to make sure they have submitted thirty-five answers.  The student will then be given a three minute break before starting the other part of the DSA theory examination, the hazard-perception test.  If the student passes both portions of the test, they will be allowed to schedule the driving portion in order to get their drivers license.

All drivers should be reminded that new careless driving laws are now in force and conviction under these can in certain cases mean a lengthy jail sentence. An example is of a driver who was in a conversation on his mobile ‘phone with his mother for a staggering 23 minutes, was inevitably in collision with other vehicles resulting in a death and serious injuries to others. As a result of his misdemeanors he received a prison sentence of four and a half years.

Talking, or using text messaging on your mobile telephone is not the only offence for which you could be imprisoned, others are drinking and eating, applying make-up or anything else which takes your concentrations away from the road will now be considered by courts. The example given highlights just how important it is for drivers to concentrate on the road ahead at all times.