Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver
Driver CPC part 1 test: theory
You can book the part 1 theory test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you鈥檝e got your provisional licence.
The test is made up of 2 parts - multiple choice and hazard perception. You have to book both parts separately, but you can take them on the same day.
It does not matter which one you take first but you need to pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate.
What to take to your test
You must bring one of the following:
- a Great Britain photocard driving licence
- a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
Your test will be cancelled and you鈥檒l lose your fee if you do not bring the right documents.
Revision and practice
You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests.
Multiple-choice questions
The multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
Study these to learn the rules and skills you鈥檒l be tested on.
You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.
You can also study using:
- the (this also includes help for the hazard perception test)
- the (this also includes help for the hazard perception test)
- the (the book is for both lorries and buses)
- (128 flash cards to help you learn traffic signs)
Take a free practice test
Take a practice theory test to check how much you鈥檝e learnt. The questions are not used in the real test, but they are based on the same topics as the test.
Hazard perception test
To prepare for this test you can use the official guide to hazard perception.
You can buy the guide in these formats:
How the test works
Multiple-choice questions part
You have 1 hour and 55 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.
Before the test starts you鈥檒l get:
- instructions on how the test works
- the chance to do a practice question to get used to the screens
A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.
The pass mark for this part is 85 out of 100 questions.
Leaving a question
You can 鈥榝lag鈥� questions that you want to come back to later.
Changing your answers
You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.
When you鈥檝e finished
You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you鈥檝e answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Hazard perception part
Before you start the hazard perception test, you鈥檒l be shown a .
You鈥檒l then watch 19 video clips. The clips:
- feature everyday road scenes
- contain at least one 鈥榙eveloping hazard鈥� - but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards
You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.
What a 鈥榙eveloping hazard鈥� is
A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.
Example
A car is parked at the side of the road and is not doing anything. It would not cause you to take action, so it鈥檚 not a developing hazard.
When you get closer, the car鈥檚 right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You鈥檇 need to slow down, so it鈥檚 now a developing hazard.
How the scoring works
You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.
To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.
You do not lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.
You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.
The pass mark for this part is 67 out of 100.
Your test result
You鈥檒l be given a letter at the test centre with the results for the part of the theory test you鈥檝e just taken.
When you鈥檝e passed both parts, you鈥檒l be given your theory test certificate at the test centre. You鈥檒l need your certificate when you book your Driver聽CPC聽part 3a and part 3b driving tests.
Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.
You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3a and part 3b driving tests within 2 years, otherwise you鈥檒l have to pass the part 1 theory test again.
If you fail the theory tests
You鈥檒l get a results letter with feedback telling you why you鈥檝e failed.
You can book another theory test straight away, but you cannot take it for another 3 clear working days.
Cancelled tests
You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if the DVSA cancels your test at short notice.