The first hurdle for learner drivers and motorcyclists on the route to a full licence is to acquire a pass in the theory test. Luckily, the Driving Standards Agency - the government body who set the tests - release the theory test question and answer database. Unfortunately, there are over 1,000 questions in it. Although the test is multiple choice, it is impossible to learn all the right answers. The more practical solution is to try and understand why a particular answer is correct.
'The Car & Motorcycle Theory Test' book includes the Driving Standards Agency's latest question bank for learner car drivers and motorcyclists, effective on tests from 17 September 2001. The questions are separated into 14 categories, and each category is further divided into 3 sections. The red section of a category are questions relevant to car drivers and motorcyclists, the orange section include questions relevant only to car drivers, and the green section features questions relevant only to motorcyclists. This separation and colour coding ensures readers do not waste time and effort searching for relevant questions.
The answers are produced separately from the questions at the end of each category, allowing readers to easily test themselves. Where appropriate, Highway Code rules or page numbers are referenced with the answers, encouraging readers to understand why answers are correct through further reading.
At the start of each section of a category, an introductory paragraph says how many questions there are in that category and, if the reader wishes to test themselves, how much time to allow. In the actual theory test, candidates are given 40 minutes to answer 35 questions and the pass mark is 30 or more correct (equivalent to a pass mark of almost 86%). Because there may be more or less than 35 questions in a section of a category, indicated with the answers to each section is the mark needed to achieve the equivalent of a pass.
As a former approved driving instructor, and subsequently a supplier of driving related books to other driving instructors, I was familiar with the field of driving theory and tuition. At the beginning of 2001, some of our driving instructor customers were becoming concerned about the lack of (what they considered) suitable theory material to supply to their pupils. They thought that some books were either too expensive or being used to promote large national driving schools.
With these comments in mind we decided to compile a no nonsense budget theory book using the latest official question bank, references to Highway Code rules and the flexibility of the world wide web.
And so, on 20 August 2001, 'The Car and Motorcycle Theory Test' book was born. So far, the venture has paid off it has become our best selling theory book!
Whichever item you chose to help you prepare for your theory test, study carefully. The rules and principles examined in the theory test will stand you in good stead towards a long and incident free existence as a safe and considerate driverif you understand and abide by them.
Good Luck!
John Jones (23/11/01)
Proprietor of driving school supplier, 'Wholesale Book Supplies',
and publisher, 'Select All'.
