How Many Questions to Pass the Theory Test?
The Irish driver theory test has 40 questions in 45 minutes. You need 35 correct to pass, which is 87.5%. What that means for how you practise.
The Irish driver theory test for a car or motorbike has 40 questions. You have 45 minutes, and you need 35 correct answers to pass.
The numbers at a glance
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40 |
| Time allowed | 45 minutes |
| Correct answers to pass | 35 |
| Pass mark as a percentage | 87.5% |
| Wrong answers allowed | 5 |
| Fee | €45 |
| Result | Shown on screen at the end |
Five mistakes is the whole margin
The pass mark is high. With 35 out of 40 needed, a sixth wrong answer means a fail.
That changes how you should practise. Scoring 30 in a mock test can feel good, yet it is five answers short of a pass.
| Your score | Result |
|---|---|
| 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35 | Pass |
| 34 or below | Fail |
How long you get per question
45 minutes for 40 questions is a little over one minute per question.
Time gets tighter if you use a voiceover, because listening to the full question takes longer than reading it. Practise with a timer.
What kind of questions
All questions are multiple choice on a computer. There is no hazard perception video in the car test.
The question bank was last revised on 1 July 2024, with new images. Many questions show a road sign or a traffic scene.
At TheoryPass we group our practice questions into five study areas:
- Rules of the road and legal matters
- Managing risk
- Technical matters
- Control of the vehicle
- Safe and socially responsible driving
What your score report shows
At the end, a pass or fail result appears on screen. The report shows how you did in each area, and it does not list which questions you got wrong.
If you fail, there is no limit on attempts. theorytest.ie advises waiting at least 3 complete business days before you resit.
A recount costs €15 and must be requested within 10 days.
When are you ready to book?
There is no official rule. A sensible target is to score 35 or more in full mock tests several times in a row, under time pressure.
- Take a full 40-question mock test with a 45-minute timer.
- Note your score and your weakest area.
- Study that area, then test again.
- Book when you clear 35 consistently, ideally with a margin of two or three answers.
Common questions
Is the pass mark the same for everyone? For the car or bike test (BW), the pass mark is 35 out of 40.
Do I get my certificate straight away? You see the result on screen at the end. Your certificate is valid for 2 years from the test date.
Can I skip a question and come back? Answer every question. A blank answer cannot score.
Measure yourself now
The free mock test uses the same format: 40 questions, 45 minutes, 35 to pass. See how close you are today.
Practise in the format of the real test
40 questions, 45 minutes, 35 correct to pass. Practise until it feels routine.
Free: 40 questions a day with an account.