Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

A. THEORY TEST U.K.

1. Form U.K.

The form chosen shall be such as to make sure that the applicant has the required knowledge of the subjects listed on points 2, 3 and 4.

Any applicant for a licence in one category who has passed a theory test for a licence in a different category may be exempt from the common provisions of points 2, 3 and 4.

2. Content of the theory test concerning all vehicle categories U.K.

2.1. Questions must be asked on each of the points listed below, the content and form of the questions being left to the discretion of each Member State: U.K.

2.1.1.

Road traffic regulations:

• in particular as regards road signs, markings and signals, rights of way and speed limits;

2.1.2.

The driver:

• importance of alertness and of attitude to other road users,

• perception, judgement and decision-taking, especially reaction time, as well as changes in driving behaviour due to the influence of alcohol, drugs and medicinal products, state of mind and fatigue;

2.1.3.

[F1 The road:

• the most important principles concerning the observance of a safe distance between vehicles, braking distances and road holding under various weather and road conditions,

• driving risk factors related to various road conditions, in particular as they change with the weather and the time of day or night,

• characteristics of various types of road and the related statutory requirements,

• safe driving in road tunnels;]

2.1.4.

Other road users:

• specific risk factors related to the lack of experience of other road users and the most vulnerable categories of users such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and people whose mobility is reduced,

• risks involved in the movement and driving of various types of vehicles and of the different fields of view of their drivers;

2.1.5.

General rules and regulations and other matters:

• rules concerning the administrative documents required for the use of vehicles,

• general rules specifying how the driver must behave in the event of an accident (setting warning devices and raising the alarm) and the measures which he can take to assist road accident victims where necessary,

• safety factors relating to the vehicle, the load and persons carried;

2.1.6.

Precautions necessary when alighting from the vehicle;

2.1.7.

Mechanical aspects with a bearing on road safety; applicants must be able to detect the most common faults, in particular in the steering, suspension and braking systems, tyres, lights and direction indicators, reflectors, rear-view mirrors, windscreen and wipers, the exhaust system, seat-belts and the audible warning device;

2.1.8.

Vehicle safety equipment and, in particular, the use of seat-belts, head restraints and child safety equipment;

2.1.9.

Rules regarding vehicle use in relation to the environment (appropriate use of audible warning devices, moderate fuel consumption, limitation of pollutant emissions, etc.).

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Commission Directive 2014/85/EU of 1 July 2014 amending Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences (Text with EEA relevance).

3. Specific provisions concerning categories A1, A2 and A U.K.

3.1. Compulsory check of general knowledge on: U.K.

3.1.1.

Use of protective outfit such as gloves, boots, clothes and safety helmet;

3.1.2.

Visibility of motorcycle riders for other road users;

3.1.3.

Risk factors related to various road conditions as laid down above with additional attention to slippery parts such as drain covers, road markings such as lines and arrows, tram rails;

3.1.4.

Mechanical aspects with a bearing on road safety as laid down above with additional attention to the emergency stop switch, the oil levels and the chain.

4. Specific provisions concerning categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 and D1E U.K.

4.1. Compulsory check of general knowledge on: U.K.

4.1.1.

[F2 Rules on driving hours and rest periods as defined by Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport (1) ; use of the recording equipment as defined by Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport;]

4.1.2.

Rules concerning the type of transport concerned: goods or passengers;

4.1.3.

Vehicle and transport documents required for the national and international carriage of goods and passengers;

4.1.4.

How to behave in the event of an accident; knowledge of measures to be taken after an accident or similar occurrence, including emergency action such as evacuation of passengers and basic knowledge of first aid;

4.1.5.

The precautions to be taken during the removal and replacement of wheels;

4.1.6.

Rules on vehicle weights and dimensions; rules on speed limiters;

4.1.7.

Obstruction of the field of view caused by the characteristics of their vehicles;

4.1.8.

Reading a road map, route planning, including the use of electronic navigation systems (optional);

4.1.9.

Safety factors relating to vehicle loading: controlling the load (stowing and fastening), difficulties with different kinds of load (e.g. liquids, hanging loads, …), loading and unloading goods and the use of loading equipment (categories C, CE, C1, C1E only);

4.1.10.

The driver's responsibility in respect to the carriage of passengers; comfort and safety of passengers; transport of children; necessary checks before driving away; all sorts of buses should be part of the theory test (public service buses and coaches, buses with special dimensions, …) (categories D, DE, D1, D1E only).

Textual Amendments

F2 Substituted by Commission Directive 2012/36/EU of 19 November 2012 amending Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences (Text with EEA relevance).

[F3 4.1a. Member States may exempt applicants to a licence for a category C1 or C1E vehicle outside the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 from demonstrating their knowledge of the subjects listed in points 4.1.1 to 4.1.3.] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3 Inserted by Commission Directive 2012/36/EU of 19 November 2012 amending Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences (Text with EEA relevance).

4.2. Compulsory check of general knowledge on the following additional provisions concerning categories C, CE, D and DE: U.K.

4.2.1.

The principles of the construction and functioning of: internal combustion engines, fluids (e.g. engine oil, coolant, washer fluid), the fuel system, the electrical system, the ignition system, the transmission system (clutch, gearbox, etc.);

4.2.2.

Lubrication and antifreeze protection;

4.2.3.

The principles of the construction, the fitting, correct use and care of tyres;

4.2.4.

The principles of the types, operation, main parts, connection, use and day-to-day maintenance of brake fittings and speed governors, and use of anti-lock brakes;

4.2.5.

The principles of the types, operation, main parts, connection, use and day-to-day maintenance of coupling systems (categories CE, DE only);

4.2.6.

Methods of locating causes of breakdowns;

4.2.7.

Preventive maintenance of vehicles and necessary running repairs;

4.2.8.

The driver's responsibility in respect of the receipt, carriage and delivery of goods in accordance with the agreed conditions (categories C, CE only).

(1)

[F2 OJ L 102, 11.4.2006, p. 1 .]

Textual Amendments

F2 Substituted by Commission Directive 2012/36/EU of 19 November 2012 amending Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences (Text with EEA relevance).