Theory Test Basics

The theory test is the written examination that comes before the practical, mandated under Annex II of Directive 2006/126/EC. It verifies knowledge of traffic rules, signs (defined by the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals 1968), priority, defensive driving, environmental driving, mechanical basics, and the legal framework around licences and insurance. Spain's DGT, the UK's DVSA, Germany's BASt and TÜV/DEKRA, France's SGS-led system, and Italy's Motorizzazione all run computer-based versions today. A theory pass is valid two years from the date issued in the UK before it expires and the test must be retaken — Spain gives two years to take and pass the practical after the theory.

Spain (DGT): 30 multiple-choice questions on the prueba teórica común, drawn from a public bank maintained on the DGT website. UK (DVSA): 50 multiple-choice questions followed by 14 hazard perception clips. Germany (TÜV/DEKRA): 30 questions for Category B, drawn from the official Fragenkatalog published by the Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, with weighted Fehlerpunkte (2 to 5 points per question). France: 40 questions on the épreuve théorique générale. Italy: 30 statements (vero/falso) under the Motorizzazione Civile syllabus. Netherlands (CBR): 65 questions split between road signs, knowledge, and insight. Question banks are renewed annually in most jurisdictions.

Spain (DGT): no more than 3 errors out of 30 — 90% threshold under the Reglamento General de Conductores Article 47. UK (DVSA): 43 out of 50 (86%) on multiple choice, and 44 out of 75 on hazard perception — both sections must be passed in the same sitting. Germany (TÜV/DEKRA): a maximum of 10 Fehlerpunkte for Category B; two questions worth 5 points each are immediate fails if both wrong. France: 35 out of 40 (87.5%) on the épreuve théorique générale. Italy: at most 3 errors out of 30. Netherlands (CBR): 44 out of 65 (≈ 68%) under CBR examination regulations.

Spain (DGT): 30 minutes for 30 questions on the prueba teórica común. UK (DVSA): 57 minutes for the 50-question multiple-choice section, then a separate 20-minute hazard perception section of 14 video clips. Germany (TÜV/DEKRA): 45 minutes for the Grundstoff and Zusatzstoff sections combined, 30 questions for Category B. France: épreuve théorique générale 30 minutes for 40 questions delivered by an approved operator since the 2016 reform that ended monopoly delivery. Netherlands (CBR): 30 minutes for 65 questions. Italy: 30 minutes for 30 questions. Most candidates finish before the limit; the time is generous by design to remove pressure as a confounding factor.

All major European jurisdictions now deliver theory tests on touchscreen terminals at authorised centres. Spain (DGT): on-screen multiple choice, three options per question, with an image where relevant. UK (DVSA): on-screen multiple choice plus the separate hazard perception section where candidates click as developing hazards appear in 14 short clips. Germany (TÜV/DEKRA): an iPad-style tablet at the test centre, with text plus images and short video clips. France since 2016: image-based questions delivered by SGS, La Poste, Objectif Code, or Dekra-Code. Audio assistance is available in Spain, the UK, and Germany for candidates with reading difficulties on prior request.

Spain: book through the autoescuela, which lodges the application via DGT's sede electrónica with the Tasa 2.1 fee (€94.05 in 2026) and your psicotécnico certificate. The DGT assigns the date — slots in Madrid and Barcelona run two to four weeks out. UK: book directly with DVSA at gov.uk/book-theory-test for £23 using your provisional licence number; the system shows slots at 200+ centres. Germany: the Führerscheinstelle clears the application; TÜV or DEKRA actually administer the exam — your Fahrschule schedules it once you have completed the mandatory theory lessons. France: épreuve théorique générale booked through La Poste, SGS, Objectif Code or Dekra-Code for €30. Always book under your legal name as on the photo ID you will bring.

Spain (DGT): Tasa 2.1 is €94.05 in 2026, covering theory and one practical attempt; retakes incur the tasa again (sede.dgt.gob.es). UK (DVSA): £23 for the theory test, fixed since 2009 (DVSA published fees on gov.uk). Germany (TÜV/DEKRA): €25 for the theory portion alone, with the Fahrschule charging separately for the mandatory lessons. France: €30 for the épreuve théorique générale, set since the 2016 liberalisation when delivery moved to approved operators (Service-Public.fr). Italy: €26.40 in regional bollettini plus Motorizzazione fees. Netherlands (CBR): €43.50 for the theorie-examen in 2026 (CBR fee schedule). Add medical and translation costs where required.

Use the official handbook as the primary source — DVSA "The Highway Code" and "Driving — The Essential Skills" in the UK; DGT's Manual de la Autoescuela in Spain; ADAC's Führerschein-Fragebogen plus the official Fragenkatalog in Germany; Code de la route Rousseau or ENPC in France. Practise the actual question bank where it is public (DGT publishes its bank; the UK question bank is only accessible through licensed apps under DVSA Crown copyright). Build up sign recognition with flashcards — Annex 1 of the Vienna Convention defines the European sign system in standard form. Aim for repeated 90% scores on full-length mocks before booking. Hazard perception (UK, Netherlands) needs separate video practice.