About the DVA Theory Test in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland runs its own driving test system through the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), part of the Department for Infrastructure, rather than the DVSA used in England, Scotland and Wales. Theory tests are booked online through nidirect, and sat at one of twelve DVA theory test centres across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Newtownards, Omagh and Coleraine.
The test itself has two parts, both taken in one sitting:
- Multiple Choice (50 questions): drawn from the same official question bank used across the UK, covering alertness, attitude, vehicle safety, stopping distances, hazard awareness, vulnerable road users, motorway rules, road signs, documents and vehicle loading, pass mark is 43 out of 50
- Hazard Perception (14 video clips): you watch clips of real driving situations and click when you spot a developing hazard, pass mark is 44 out of 75
The content and pass marks are almost identical to the test used in Great Britain, but a small number of Great Britain specific questions are excluded from the Northern Ireland version and marked "NI exempt" in official revision materials. The fee is £23, the same as in Great Britain.
Important: If you fail either section you must rebook through nidirect and pay the £23 fee again, there is no credit for passing one section. You can rebook after just 3 working days but the fee is forfeited each time.
Key DVA Theory Test Facts to Know
- Booking: through nidirect, not gov.uk, the DVA runs a separate system from the DVSA used in the rest of the UK
- Test centres: twelve DVA centres across Northern Ireland including Belfast, Newtownards, Omagh and Coleraine
- Fee: £23, the same as Great Britain
- Multiple-choice pass mark: 43 out of 50 (86%)
- Hazard perception pass mark: 44 out of 75
- Both sections must be passed in the same sitting
- NI exempt questions: a small number of Great Britain specific questions do not appear in the Northern Ireland test
- Retake wait: minimum 3 working days before rebooking
- Certificate validity: 2 years to pass the practical test, after that, theory must be retaken
DVA provides limited free practice material and it does not always distinguish which questions are NI specific. Practice Tests UK fills that gap with realistic questions across all topic areas with step by step explanations for every answer.
| Feature | DVA Official Practice | Practice Tests UK |
|---|
| Practice questions | Basic sample only | 60+ questions |
| Answer explanations | Limited | Every question |
| Instant feedback | No | Yes |
| Drill by topic area | No | Yes |
Free sample: Try 5 free questions below. Use Drill Mode to target the areas you find hardest.
