DVSA theory test centre

Brighton

Car theory test pass rates for Brighton, taken straight from DVSA's published figures, with what the test involves and driving instructors teaching around Brighton.

52.40% of car theory tests taken at Brighton were passed across 18,387 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). It ranks 17 of 193 theory test centres in Britain for pass rate.

Official DVSA figures

52.40%

Pass rate

17 of 193 theory test centres

18,387

Tests taken

In 2025-26

9,636

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#17 of 193 in Britain

The numbers

How hard is the theory test at Brighton?

52.40% of car theory tests taken here were passed in 2025-26, 5.9 points above the 46.5% average across theory test centres. Pass rates vary by centre far less than people expect - the test is identical everywhere, so what moves the number is who books there.

Pass rate

52.40%

17 of 193 theory test centres

Tests taken

18,387

In 2025-26

Passes

9,636

Candidates who passed here

Women vs men

56.00% / 49.50%

Women passed 56.00% of 8,132 tests, men 49.50% of 10,255.

Since 2007

Theory pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Brighton, from 2007-08 to 2025-26

2007-082008-092009-102010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26

Financial years 2007-08 to 2025-26, ranging between 51.4% and 70.4%

This year

Month by month at Brighton

DVSA publish the monthly detail for 2025-26. The month you book matters far less than whether you have worked through the question bank and the hazard clips.

Monthly car theory test figures for Brighton
MonthTestsPassesPass rate
Apr 20251,55581552.4%
May 20251,38171852%
Jun 20251,63883951.2%
Jul 20251,56284354%
Aug 20251,54882453.2%
Sep 20251,63383150.9%
Oct 20251,55181652.6%
Nov 20251,47376952.2%
Dec 20251,51475349.7%
Jan 20261,04056354.1%
Feb 20261,61086153.5%
Mar 20261,8821,00453.3%
The test itself

What the car theory test involves

The test is the same at every centre. Two parts, taken in one sitting, both of which have to be passed together.

Multiple-choice questions

50

You need 43 correct to pass this part.

Time for the questions

57 min

There is a practice session first if you want one.

Hazard perception clips

14

15 scoreable hazards, scored 0-5 on how early you spot each.

Hazard perception pass mark

44/75

Both parts have to be passed in the same sitting.

What to bring

Your UK photocard driving licence. Without it the test is cancelled and the fee is lost. Arrive around 15 minutes early, and expect to leave phones and bags in a locker.

How long the pass lasts

Two years. If you have not passed your practical test by then you take the theory again - which is why booking lessons while you revise, rather than after, is worth doing.

Local instructors

Driving instructors near Brighton

Most learners book lessons while they are revising for the theory test, not after it - the practical waiting list is measured in months and a theory pass only lasts two years. These instructors teach within 10 miles of Brighton.

Paul Sim

Male

Brighton and Hoveunder 1 mile

PS
£0-£90per lesson
Email
Experience
10+ years
Avg. to pass
20-60 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Ak Iqbal

Male

Brighton1 mile

AI
£37.50-£40per lesson
Email
Experience
7+ years
Avg. to pass
30-40 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Noshy Haroon

Male

Portslade by Sea2 miles

NH
£90-£100per lesson
Email
Experience
7+ years
Avg. to pass
5-25 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishArabic

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Benjamin Loom

Male

Adur5 miles

BL
£48-£50per lesson
Email
Experience
7+ years
Avg. to pass
30-100 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Anthony Newington

Male

Lewes5 miles

AN
£50-£100per lesson
Email
Experience
20+ years
Avg. to pass
10-20 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Simon Christopher Hull

Male

Lewes7 miles

SC
£100per lesson
Email
Experience
6+ years
Avg. to pass
14-20 lessons
Gearbox
BothManual & auto
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening
FAQ

Common questions about Brighton

Pass rates, what the test involves, and how the theory test fits around booking lessons and a practical test.

52.40% of car theory tests taken at Brighton were passed in 2025-26, across 18,387 tests of which 9,636 passed. That is 5.9 points above the 46.5% average across theory test centres. It ranks 17 of 193 theory test centres for pass rate.

At Brighton, 56.00% of tests taken by women were passed against 49.50% of tests taken by men in 2025-26. The figures cover 8,132 and 10,255 tests respectively. DVSA publish this split for every theory test centre.

The car theory test has two parts taken in one sitting. First, 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, of which you need 43 correct. Then the hazard perception test: 14 video clips containing 15 scoreable developing hazards, scored 0 to 5 depending on how early you spot each one, with a pass mark of 44 out of 75. You have to pass both parts in the same sitting; passing one and failing the other means retaking the whole test.

Yes. You cannot book a practical driving test until you hold a theory test pass certificate, and the certificate is valid for two years. If it expires before you pass your practical, you have to take the theory test again - which is why most people book lessons and the theory test in the same few weeks rather than waiting.

Yes - we list driving instructors within 10 miles of Brighton on this page. Most learners book lessons while they are studying for the theory test rather than after it, because the practical waiting list is measured in months and a theory pass certificate only lasts two years.