DVSA theory test centre

Reading

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

49.60% of car theory tests taken at Reading were passed across 34,220 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). It ranks 45 of 193 theory test centres in Britain for pass rate.

Official DVSA figures

49.60%

Pass rate

45 of 193 theory test centres

34,220

Tests taken

In 2025-26

16,969

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#45 of 193 in Britain

The numbers

How hard is the theory test at Reading?

49.60% of car theory tests taken here were passed in 2025-26, 3.1 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

49.60%

45 of 193 theory test centres

Tests taken

34,220

In 2025-26

Passes

16,969

Candidates who passed here

Women vs men

52.00% / 47.60%

Women passed 52.00% of 15,415 tests, men 47.60% of 18,805.

Since 2007

Theory pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Reading, 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 48.6% and 68.5%

This year

Month by month at Reading

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 Reading
MonthTestsPassesPass rate
Apr 20252,9241,45649.8%
May 20252,6321,25447.6%
Jun 20253,1661,55049%
Jul 20252,9821,48449.8%
Aug 20252,8491,47651.8%
Sep 20252,5091,26450.4%
Oct 20252,6861,30648.6%
Nov 20252,7431,35449.4%
Dec 20252,8451,40149.2%
Jan 20262,2791,11849.1%
Feb 20263,0491,57051.5%
Mar 20263,5561,73648.8%
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.

Next step

Practical test centres near Reading

A theory pass is what lets you book the practical. These are the DVSA driving test centres covering Reading, with their own published figures.

Local instructors

Driving instructors near Reading

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 Reading.

Mark

Male

Reading2 miles

M
£45-£47per lesson
Email
Experience
7+ years
Avg. to pass
46-100 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2024 Peugeot 2008Automatic · Petrol
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Bob Popat

Male

Reading2 miles

BP
£45-£100per lesson
Email
Experience
20+ years
Avg. to pass
40-50 lessons
Gearbox
BothManual & auto
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Henryson Davies

Male

Wokingham3 miles

HD
£80-£100per lesson
Email
Experience
9+ years
Avg. to pass
30-40 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Constance Wall

Female

Wokingham3 miles

CW
£45-£60per lesson
Email
Experience
20+ years
Avg. to pass
15-30 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Saurabh Shrivastava

Male

Wokingham6 miles

SS
£90-£97per lesson
Email
Experience
25+ years
Avg. to pass
20-40 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Liz Joy

Female

Wokingham9 miles

LJ
£45-£50per hour
Email
Experience
30+ years
Avg. to pass
20-60 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2026 Volkswagen T-RocManual · Petrol
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening
FAQ

Common questions about Reading

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

49.60% of car theory tests taken at Reading were passed in 2025-26, across 34,220 tests of which 16,969 passed. That is 3.1 points above the 46.5% average across theory test centres. It ranks 45 of 193 theory test centres for pass rate.

At Reading, 52.00% of tests taken by women were passed against 47.60% of tests taken by men in 2025-26. The figures cover 15,415 and 18,805 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.

The practical driving test is taken at a separate DVSA driving test centre. Reading (55.41% pass rate) is the centre covering Reading. Theory and practical are booked separately, both through GOV.UK.

Yes - we list driving instructors within 10 miles of Reading 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.