Studying for the Theory Test if you have Special Needs – what study aids are available to help you?
There are a variety of aids available to help you study for the theory test. Books have been specially designed with illustrations to help you understand and remember the necessary information, Audio Books are available for you to listen to rather than having to read, flash cards can be used as memory joggers, there are specially designed computer apps available, one-to-one theory sessions via Zoom can be arranged and theory test training video courses have been introduced.
“UK Driving Theory Test Kit” (includes The Highway Code Book – 2022, Know Your Traffic Signs – 2022, and 78 Road Sign Flash Cards)
PASS YOUR UK DRIVING THEORY TEST – Kit includes 2 official study books and a large deck of road signs flash cards designed for anyone who wants to learn UK road signs.
“These are perfect gifts for any learner driver, for a 17th birthday present, or for anyone who is leaning to drive! The kit includes the two vital books that you need to study to understand the rules of the road.”
Each of the 78 flash cards that are included in the kit has one road sign on the front and the same road sign on the back with an explanation of what it means. These revision cards are perfect for any learner driver who is wanting to pass their driving theory test.
For details see: Driving Theory Test Kit
“The Highway Code Audiobook” (updated for 2022)
Our audiobook is the ONLY complete, up-to-date, 2022 edition of the Highway Code. Other audiobooks available on the market were published in 2013 and have not been updated.
“The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users, providing all the latest rules of the road and traffic signs. All road users have a responsibility to keep their knowledge up-to-date. This new edition incorporates new rules on: a) The hierarchy of road users – this means the introduction of new responsibilities towards more vulnerable road users, to keep them safe on the road. These will be known by the ‘H’ rules b) Mobile Phones – tighter restrictions on the use of mobile phones whilst driving c) Junctions – you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road that you’re turning into d) Parking Laws – new rules around parking on pavements. The Highway Code remains one of the source materials for all theory tests”.
For details see: Highway Code Audiobook
“The Colour Academy Theory Test Educational Colouring Book”
This has been available since 2018 and has proved successful for many students with reading and learning difficulties.
Passing the test:
to pass any test, you have to learn, memorise and understand the material.
The practice question books and apps available to you today are all small simulations of the final exam. Simulating the final exam is important for testing that you’ve learnt, memorised and understood the material but they don’t support effective learning or make for a fun study session.
To learn the material, you would need to read the highway code, which as it turns out isn’t very readable. Plus signs, road markings, manoeuvres are all visual things, why would you want to read a book to study them anyway?
Our Theory Test Book:
Instead of reading a book of rules, why not interact with illustrations that depict scenarios? When you colour in scenarios your memory retention and recall rates actually improve, learning suddenly becomes more fun and you have a visual illustration that you created you can look back on and remember.
For details see: Colour Academy Colouring Book
“BSL Theory Test” – Learning the Car Theory Test with pictures
A picture is worth a thousand words – BSL Theory Test has added 3,650 pictures to the DVSA questions to make a visual-based learning system designed to help Deaf people, and those with autism, dyslexia and learning difficulties pass the theory test.
“We have added pictures to the car theory test questions and answers, these questions and answers are the same as those on the actual car theory test but those do not have the 3,650 pictures that we have added to our learning system.”
We use the latest DVSA theory test questions and have added thousands of images to make the theory test easier to understand as well as pass. Adding pictures to the theory test is what makes us unique from any other theory test site in the UK as we are the 1st and only driving theory test site to do this.
This is called visual learning which has proven to help up to 95% of candidates pass the driving theory test 1st time and this is how we believe theory test practice should take place.
For details see: BSL Theory Test
Chris Bensted: “Theory Test Explained” – 1:1 Theory via Zoom
Struggling to hit the mark on the DVSA Theory Test?
Apps, Books, videos and Websites don’t work for everyone. sometimes you need to be taught in the way that you learn!
“We provide 1:1 on-line teaching for the Theory Test via Zoom, focusing on the two main challenges of helping you:
- to understand the information that you need to know (e.g. the rules of the road)
- to understand the wording used for the Theory Test (e.g. the language used for the questions and answers)”
Do you have Specific Needs?
We have wide ranging experience of helping people with specific needs and understand both the needs and the challenges that difficulties with this can cause; we will also explain methods that you can use to overcome these difficulties, which will help you to excel!
For details see: Theory Test Explained
Julia Malkin’s “Easy Pass Theory Course”
The unique theory test training video course! This is the only course that has videos that answer the theory test practice questions, while building hazard perception skills, at the same time, as you watch!
Julia says: “after seeing many pupils struggle with learning each subject only from questions, I developed this course to help people learn the practice answers quickly using video, with no questions being asked at all.
The course has 100 individual video clips on all theory test subjects. Each one contains correct answers to the practice questions on video that they can watch repeatedly. Each one of these clips is just a few minutes long.
Hazard perception tips are also included in these videos – different types of hazards, where they are likely to be seen, what to look for in different situations and the reactions of drivers need to have”.
For details see: Julia Malkin’s Easy Pass Theory Pro
Annie Winterburn’s “Theory Test Practice”
Created by Annie Winterburn, an Approved Driving Instructor, Theory Test Practice has been designed to help anyone who has a theory test to take. When you’ve been through a course, you’ll discover just how easy it is to pass! The courses cover all you need to learn, understand and prepare to pass all parts of the driving theory test.
Theory Test Course has been created to help anyone to pass their theory test.
- If you are anxious about failing your theory test – this course is for you!
- If you want to pass on your first or next attempt – this course is for you?
- If you have Dyslexia, or English is not your first language – this course is for you!
Theory Test Course includes everything you need to prepare for and pass your driving theory test first time.
- Worksheets
- Video tutorials
- Fact lists
- Official DVSA questions and case studies
- Multiple-choice and hazard perception techniques
- Test confidence techniques
- Instructor support*
Once the whole course has been completed you are welcome to contact us for help on any topics or questions you still struggle with.
For details see: Annie Witerburn’s Theory Test practice
Theory Test Support Project
The Driving Mobility Theory Test Support Project aims to support individuals facing barriers to passing their driving theory test, particularly those with neurodiversity, additional needs and learning difficulties.
In order for an individual to take a practical driving test, they must first pass a driving theory test comprising of multiple-choice questions and a video-based hazard perception test. For some, the barrier of struggling to pass the theory test is preventing them from being able to take the practical driving test. Many giving up due to repeated failed attempts.
The project will run for 2 years and will be delivered at eight English Mobility Centres. One-to-one training can be provided at the centres in small conference rooms or offices, with specialist tutors providing training tailored to each individual student. An initial assessment will be conducted before the start of the training to identify each student’s training needs and provide evidence for any additional support provision that may be needed from DVSA and which will need to be applied for when booking a Theory Test.
Up to six hours of funded specialist tuition will be provided in each case. Additional tuition will be available but will need to be paid for by the client.
Neurodiversity should not be a barrier to someone being able to pursue their ambition of learning to drive. The aim of this project is to support individuals who are struggling to study for the theory test and those who are struggling to understand the language used for the Theory Test questions and answers, it is also important to help ensure that this group of people can get the additional support from DVSA that they are entitled to when taking .
For details go to: Driving Mobility Theory Test Support Project
Booking the Theory Test
When you are ready to book your Theory Test Click here for details of the help available when taking the DVSA Theory Test and how to book it
Updated 26.11.2023