Since theory tests began in 1996, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published the questions and answers from the question banks for all categories of tests for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses. However, DSA announced last November that it was to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers, with unpublished questions being used from January 2012.

After that date, the questions a candidate will be asked on test will not be exactly the same as those in their learning materials. So in short - Questions will be drawn from new 'live' theory test question banks, which will not be published.

DSA's chief executive Rosemary Thew said:
'The reason behind the move is to stop candidates from simply memorising theory test questions and answers and learning by rote. The new books contain questions and answers for revision and also explain the theory behind each question.
This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, re-worded live questions used in the actual test.

The idea is that driving test candidates need to learn and understand the theory and gain the appropriate knowledge required to be a safe driver on the road and withdrawing access to the questions and answers bank will stop people from just memorising just to pass the theory test which is very common from my experience with learner drivers. But we would like to assure you that the tests will not be harder, but will support DSA's aims to move candidates away from learning questions and answers by rote and towards their gaining better knowledge and understanding of driving and riding theory.

You would need to study these practice, non-live theory test questions for revision purposes (the Official Revision Question Banks). These questions are to test your knowledge and understanding of the source material.

New theory test changes from Jan 2012 -
From this date onwards, DSA is to stop publishing the live multiple choice questions used in all theory tests.
However, the DSA will continue to release publication of practice, non- live theory test questions for revision purposes (the official revision question banks.

How exactly would it affect candidates?
If you are taking your theory test before 1st Jan 2012, you will be asked the exact same questions as they are published here. But if you are taking theory test after 1st January 2012, you need to know about the changes in the UK theory test.
The questions in the exam will not be exactly same as they are published.
The DSA will not distribute the real/exam questions.
Real/live exam questions will not appear in any product - book, CD, mobile applications or on any website.
So your test would contain questions which are unpublished.

Revision questions Vs live questions -
Revision questions is the source material published by DSA
Whereas the live/exam questions are the questions based on the revision questions - which not appear in any product!

We wish you all the best for your DSA test.

About aurther:
John Graham is involved with driving theory test preperation in writing useful driving test tips, driving test books, driving theory test cd, dvd etc for years. His experience and association with different websites provide a wealth of resources related to driving test. You can try FREE hazard perception test online here.