About the Test

The theory test is a computer based multiple choice exam intended to test the driver’s road sense and awareness, including the rules of the road, respect for other road users, vehicle maintenance, safety and security.

Each theory test asks some specific questions relating to the category of vehicle for which you are being examined, as well as questions that apply to all road users.

Test Categories

There are four classes of theory test. The one that you will need to take will depend on the category of provisional licence you hold. Please see the table below for details:

Exemptions from taking the Test

Most candidates who are learning to drive or ride will have to sit a theory test for that category before taking their practical driving test and obtaining a full licence. However, there are some exceptions:

• Candidates who are upgrading their licence who have already passed a theory test within the same category group and obtained a full licence in that category e.g. category P to A1 or category B to BE (see table above) will not have to take another theory test before taking the practical test.
• If you hold a full driving licence issued from a different authority outside of Guernsey then it may be valid for exchange for an equivalent Guernsey licence without the need for a theory or practical test to be taken. However, if you cannot exchange your licence then you will need to take and pass a theory test before you can book a practical driving test. You can find more information on whether or not your licence would be exchangeable from our leaflet “Advice and Information for New Guernsey Residents”.

Test Fees

Booking the Test in Guernsey

The quickest way to book your theory test is by telephoning our contractors Thomson Prometric on

0845 850 0517 (a lo-call rate number)

(Please note that the telephone number to book your test is different if you need to make arrangements to accommodate special needs or a translator for your test. Please see the relevant section below for information.)

Payment can only be made over the phone by credit or debit card. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm. You will need to have your driving licence details in order to book.

If you wish to pay for a test by cheque or postal order, then you will need to telephone the above number and ask for a postal application form. Forms are also available from the Department's offices at Bulwer Avenue (tel: 01481 243400).

Booking the Test in Alderney

Cancellations

Location

All theory tests in Guernsey are taken at the College of Further Education, Route de Coutanchez, St Peter Port.

Alderney tests are held at the Flexible Learning Centre at Ormer House.

Test Times

The test times available at the College of Further Education fall into the following times:

Preparing for the Test

It is important that you study for your theory test. Not only will this help you to pass your test, but it will also help you to become a safe driver.

In order to pass your theory test you must learn the Highway Code. It is also important that you read the Highway Code Supplement, (available from the Environment Department, Bulwer Avenue), which gives information on Traffic Laws specific to Guernsey, as you will be tested on both UK and Guernsey laws. For example, questions on the local driving environment may include the following topics; use of horns at night, parking at night, driving on the footpath, seatbelt regulations, supervision of learner drivers, pillion passengers on motorcycles, filter-in-turns, yellow “no stopping” lines, “no waiting” signs, yellow “stop” lines (at junctions).

The following books are also available from local bookshops to help you to prepare:

• Know Your Traffic Signs
• Driving / Motorcycle Riding – The Essential Skills
• The Official Theory Test for Car Drivers / Motorcyclists / Drivers of Large Vehicles
• Official Motorcycling CBT, Theory and Practical Test
• Driving Goods Vehicles / Driving Buses and Coaches – The Official DSA Syllabus

The Guernsey and Alderney theory tests are very similar to those offered by the Driving Standards Agency in the U.K. You therefore may find DSA publications useful in your revision for the Guernsey test. Mock tests are available at www.dsa.gov.uk However, please remember that the real test may have some differences to DSA material. There is no Hazard Perception Testing in the States of Guernsey test.

How the Test will Work

The test is in a multiple choice format and is computer based. The Guernsey College of Further Education test centre has a touch screen facility. For Alderney tests, answers are selected using the computer mouse. The system is easy to use and no prior knowledge of computers is required.

At the beginning of each test, there is an option to undertake a practice session to become accustomed to using the system. During the test, it is possible to go back and change an answer to an earlier question, or complete any that you might have wanted to skip and come back to later.

You have 40 minutes in which to complete the test.

You will need to score 30 out of 35 in order to pass.

Test Results

You will be notified of your result on completion of the test. If you have passed, a test certificate will be printed and issued to you before you leave the test centre. It is important that you retain this certificate as you will need to present a valid theory test pass certificate in order to book and take your practical driving test.

Certificates are valid for two years from the date of the theory test. If you have not passed a practical test within this two-year time period, you will be required to retake the theory test.

Special Needs

If you have learning or reading difficulties that you believe may affect your test, it is possible to organise a reader to accompany you.

In order to book a theory test with a reader, please follow the steps below:

1. A declaration form (available to download using the link at the top of this page) must be completed by the school or doctor confirming your special needs. This must be sent to the Environment Department, Traffic & Transport Services, Bulwer Avenue, St Sampsons, GY1 3HY, clearly marked 'Theory Test'.
2. Once this application has been received, if approved, details will be passed on to Prometric Theory Test Booking Centre in the UK.
3. Someone from the Prometric Team will telephone you to book your test.  Payment can be made over the phone by credit or debit card.  You will need to have your driving licence details in order to book.
4. You will usually be sent confirmation of the booked test in writing.

Approved Special Needs candidates are usually given extended time to complete the test.

If you have any other special needs that you believe may affect your test, please make this known to the Environment Department before booking the test. It is possible that we can make special arrangements for these needs to be accommodated for your test session. Please let us know in advance if you require wheelchair access to the test centre.

Please also see the information sheet that is available to download at the top of this page.

Translators

The test is only available in English. If this is not your first language then you can arrange to be accompanied by a translator. The translator must first be approved by the Environment Department.

To book the test with translation assistance:

1. You, or someone on your behalf should contact the Environment Department on 01481 243400.  Please see the Request for Translation Assistance form at the top of this page.
2. The Department will verify that you are entitled to use a translator, and issue you with the contact details of Approved Translators in the relevant language.*
3. The Department will notify the Prometric Booking Centre that you are permitted to be accompanied by a translator.
4. Please liaise with the translator to find an appropriate date and time for the test. You are advised to choose a date at least 2 – 3 weeks in advance and to establish more than one possible date.
5. The Prometric Team will telephone you to book your theory test.  You must have your driving licence details available.  Payment of the test must be made at the time of booking.
6. You will be sent confirmation of the booked test in writing.
7. You are responsible for ensuring that the translator attends the test centre at the correct time. If you have not advised staff at the time of booking that you are taking a translator, or if the individual accompanying you has not been approved by the Environment Department, then the translator will not be permitted to accompany you during the test. The test fee in these circumstances would be forfeited.

*If there is no approved translator available in the requested language then the Department’s staff will make their best efforts to find an appropriate person on your behalf. You may suggest an appropriate person, but translators are not permitted to act as an interpreter on behalf of personal friends or relatives.

If not already on the Environment Department's approved list, translators must go through the application process for approval as a translator before you can arrange to be accompanied on your test.

Candidates should not book their test or make arrangements for anyone to accompany them unless they have confirmation from the Environment Department that their proposed translator has been approved.

If translator assistance is approved then candidates will usually be given an extended time in which to complete the test.

Fees charged by translators for their services are payable by the candidate and are by private arrangement between the candidate and translator.

Becoming a Translator

Further Information

If you cannot find the answer to your query on these pages then please contact the Environment Department, Traffic & Transport Services, Bulwer Avenue, St Sampsons, Guernsey, GY1 3HY, telephone 01481 243400, fax 01481 241177.