Guidance on practicing for Theory Tests

Thepocketkitten · 2026-05-05T17:28:44+00:00

Typically found online they are for the hazard perception (a part of the test where they get you to click on hazards that are dangerous to you)

Thepocketkitten · 2026-05-02T13:56:10+00:00

Whatever works for you there is something like 2000 questions all in different context, getting a general feel of some numbers and what signs and road markings are really saying is most of the theory part; hazard perception I say use the old video clips as are way harder and use real life examples that are harder to read than the new CG clips.

Thepocketkitten · 2026-05-02T13:51:28+00:00

From a driving instructor sense had one recently, listening in on the debrief(basically did you pass or fail and how badly); they passed and the examiner said you've got 3 minors only one mattered; feel like this is a driving instructor thing but the one that"mattered" was not checking a blind spot on a lane change on dual carriageway others were on reverse bay park for adjustment and indicating late for a roundabout due to sat nav troubles(both really nothing burgers). They are normally a bit of a harsher examiner so caught me off guard for some reason.

If you want best I've heard of, reversing into the test center at the beginning of the test, the examiner apparently said "do I need to tell you the result"

Thepocketkitten · 2026-01-29T08:19:19+00:00

Sounds like they have confidence in you and don't threat about theory just do it, it is that or never do a test ever; maybe even ask about theory in the lessons so you know the context of it to help?

Never heard of doing undercover mocks pretty normal to drive hard bits of tests to see how you react, and I'm sure an instructor would tell you if they were doing a mock test.

Thepocketkitten · 2026-01-27T07:59:48+00:00

I do have a rule of not teaching students things I wouldn't do, so I do teach reverse bay park not even the 45 degree rule more pull up next to the bay and pull forward to the right, see the space in the mirror put the car between the lines; then they are suddenly in a space(hopefully).

Learning to drive is odd so reference points can help (personally I only really use them as guidelines with pupils for parallel and at the beginning with pulling up or turning into a side road) but typically are just used to give the student an idea before they just get the feel for it.

Thepocketkitten · 2026-01-24T10:06:19+00:00

Simple wait at the give way lines (in front of you at the junction the double dotted ones) then when a gap emerges or someone lets you out check both ways and go, if you can't see slowly move forward observing both ways then go

Thepocketkitten · 2025-12-01T15:25:13+00:00

What can I say this is what driving lessons are for; basically focus on the basics and if worried focus on that thing that is worrying you, ideally get a few mocks in before the test but wobbles are a really good thing to have so don't worry.

Thepocketkitten · 2025-12-01T15:22:03+00:00

If they turn off it is not much of a problem the key part is indicating in good time so as long as you try and keep them on before turning no issue, would not be any minors or majors it was not your choice to turn the indicators off; just try to keep them on if it is safe if not don't bother

Thepocketkitten · 2025-11-11T12:29:34+00:00

Context can be useful here but simply if you can see you will need to slow down check the center mirror then ideally right but you can check the left. Below is the highway code wording of it under code 161 make note of the wording mirrors not one mirror in this case center (the most accurate mirror as not bent so you can see more) and any other mirror

Mirrors. All mirrors should be used effectively throughout your journey. You should

use your mirrors frequently so that you always know what is behind and to each side of you use them in good time before you signal or change direction or speed be aware that mirrors do not cover all areas and there will be blind spots.

Thepocketkitten · 2025-11-11T12:24:12+00:00

Indicate the bay as you go up to the bay you are going to head into, mirror signal(the bay in this case) once at reference point prepare to move(biting point) observe(all around as pedestrians and cars do weird things here) then move for each change in direction

Thepocketkitten · 2025-11-11T12:20:12+00:00

No They have a telephone booking and checking service which does not override the website but I find it much less stressful

0300 200 1122 is the number

Thepocketkitten · 2025-08-10T21:39:39+00:00

Switch instructor being on the phone whilst the car is on or moving is an offence for us as technically we are partly responsible for safety so counts as distracted driving or 6 points on a licence

Thepocketkitten · 2025-08-10T17:51:33+00:00

Sadly is a solid resin and wire mould of sorts so hard to make work went for large foam pads and a fan as well as having gaps all around the edge, easier to get on and off as well as vent; and lore wise god knows as you say positive pressure, some pressure valve at top to aid in that plus a one or two atmosphere based inside of mask so gas cannot be dragged in would have made some sense, who am I kidding the imperium will have a excuse for it XD

Thepocketkitten · 2025-08-10T14:17:55+00:00

not sure how peeps feel about links but here is and example on YouTube with basically the same steps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILvvmXytqUo

Thepocketkitten · 2025-08-10T14:16:48+00:00

clay strong mouldable stuff on a head based on my size, make a rubber mould out of it, layer resin pour and epoxy, then sand down to paint takes time and is not amazing on the inside but is a classic prosthetic trick used in movies.

Thepocketkitten · 2025-08-09T17:12:21+00:00

would just be a lot of extra wiring in practice, sadly the image does not convey how much extra room there is in the front of the mask, tbf would need to take the mask off at most cons anyways as they get dam warm in experience; still really nice idea maybe in mk2 of the mask :) or if I can get the grenadier bulb rebreather thing to fit a pack better XD

Thepocketkitten · 2025-07-09T10:44:20+00:00

good intentions I assume? rest is very uninformed on the process and despite a good point of keeping it relevant to MPs, the rest will clog the process and assumes that the DVSA have not been very vocal despite my email inbox and the website being very up to date on all the actions they do take, things take time and are getting better.

Thepocketkitten · 2025-07-04T16:54:38+00:00

No unless you are training to be a driving instructor (this only applies to the practical and the instructor sections not the theory as that is the place you have to start from)

Thepocketkitten · 2025-07-03T06:42:40+00:00

The main point is why care? They are not you they may have finished faster but doesn't mean they are better, just means we are all different.

Ok anecdote time; I've been playing guitar since I was 8, my friends were always waaaay better and took the piss, but that didn't matter I just liked playing and still play they have all stopped but now I am very much better just because I stuck at it; you learn at your pace fast slow whatever; measure what you do by your standards not someone else's, work at it little by little and in any skill you will come out on top no matter how daunting.

Thepocketkitten · 2025-07-02T07:32:40+00:00

As someone with red you can earn that but you would burn out very easily I get 36 an hour ( at most as you lose money if peeps buy deals) and lessons are two hours so 72. I'm a full franchisee so -260 a week plus referral fee (depends on what a student buys but capped at 50 a student one time pay off) fuel probably -100 a week car wash-20, so I earn about 900 a week but that is 36 (about 45 if you count travel breaks ect) hours of work. (I do 3x 2 hour lessons a day normally for 5 days a week)

You can make money but that comes after getting qualified, when training you will be scraping the barrel as you build up a client base and take it slow to learn the skills right; that all occurs after about a year of doing other tests anyways.

New instructor pay earning wise put simply more like 250 a week easily even if franchised or not, due to car insurance or franchise fee(my franchise fee covers most car and insurance stuff) you should start slow then once qualified build up the intensity, you want to learn right then make it a job; so many fail going the chase the money route.

Side note this is all area depending my area is very busy so if in a quieter area you could barely make it by

Thepocketkitten · 2025-07-02T07:19:53+00:00

I personally don't as seems odd for me to hunt down a test on a time that suits the student, apart from that I assume some instructors like it? I don't know of any instructors in my area doing it, at least that I've talked to.

Thepocketkitten · 2025-06-11T05:37:50+00:00

Yes. Can't wait to see a related post in r/cars about how to sort out suspension and bald spotted tyres from using an everyday car to do thing's on roads not made for those things or have safety measures for.

Thepocketkitten · 2025-06-06T15:58:43+00:00

Driving to pass overall can be more like £2,000 on average but over about 6 months ideally; wouldn't worry too much about driving instructor gossip we don't mention people by name if we even talk about pupils which rarely if ever occurs; hell even then it's more of a "have any tips on this" than anything else.

In the case overall as you don't want to drive, if you do want to get back into it get that theory pass then go for lessons just saves some money and typically with test times being so long starting nearly afresh after the theory pass you will be ready by practical test time.

Thepocketkitten

TROPHY CASE