DVA numbers

UK DVA Theory Test - Numerical Figures Reference Table

Speed Limits

Road Type	Cars & Motorcycles	Cars Towing Caravans/Trailers	Large Goods Vehicles/Buses
Built-up areas (street lighting)	30 mph	30 mph	30 mph
Single carriageways	60 mph	50 mph	50 mph
Dual carriageways	70 mph	60 mph	60 mph
Motorways	70 mph	60 mph	60 mph

Stopping Distances (Dry Conditions)

Speed	Thinking Distance	Braking Distance	Total Stopping Distance
20 mph	6 metres (20 feet)	6 metres (20 feet)	12 metres (40 feet)
30 mph	9 metres (30 feet)	14 metres (45 feet)	23 metres (75 feet)
40 mph	12 metres (40 feet)	24 metres (80 feet)	36 metres (120 feet)
50 mph	15 metres (50 feet)	38 metres (125 feet)	53 metres (175 feet)
60 mph	18 metres (60 feet)	55 metres (180 feet)	73 metres (240 feet)
70 mph	21 metres (70 feet)	75 metres (245 feet)	96 metres (315 feet)

Towing Requirements (Cars with Caravans/Trailers)

Requirement	Specification
Speed limit (motorways/dual carriageways)	60 mph maximum
Speed limit (single carriageways)	50 mph maximum
Minimum driving experience	Must hold full licence
Trailer weight limit (without test)	Up to 3,500kg combined vehicle weight
Trailer weight limit (with test)	Over 3,500kg combined requires B+E licence
Reversing with trailer	Steer opposite to desired direction
Motorway lane restrictions	Cannot use right-hand lane on 3+ lane motorways
Parking brake	Must be applied when unhitching
Breakaway cable	Must be attached and shorter than coupling
Towing mirrors	Required if trailer obscures rear view

Towing - Additional Following Distances

Condition	Minimum Distance
Dry roads (towing)	3-second rule (increased from 2-second)
Wet roads (towing)	6-second rule (increased from 4-second)
Icy roads (towing)	10+ times normal distance

Following Distances

Condition	Cars	Cars Towing
Dry roads	2-second rule	3-second rule
Wet roads	4-second rule	6-second rule
Icy roads	10 times normal distance	10+ times normal distance
Fog	Use 2-second rule when visibility returns	Use 3-second rule when visibility returns

Vehicle Safety Requirements

Component	Legal Requirement
Tyre tread depth	Minimum 1.6mm across central ¾ of tyre
Tyre pressure	Check monthly (manufacturer's specification)
Windscreen damage	Chip larger than 10mm in driver's line of vision not permitted
Windscreen damage	Crack longer than 40mm anywhere on windscreen not permitted

Alcohol Limits

Category	England, Wales & N. Ireland	Scotland
Standard drivers	80mg per 100ml of blood	50mg per 100ml of blood
Standard drivers	35 micrograms per 100ml of breath	22 micrograms per 100ml of breath
Professional drivers	Same as standard	Same as standard

Learner Driver Requirements

Requirement	Age/Specification
Minimum age (car)	17 years
Minimum age (motorcycle - moped)	16 years
Minimum age (motorcycle - full licence)	17 years (A1), 19 years (A2), 24 years (A)
L-plates	Must display L-plates (red on white)
Supervising driver	Must be 21+ with full licence for 3+ years

Theory Test Details

Test Component	Requirement
Multiple choice questions	50 questions
Pass mark (multiple choice)	43 out of 50 (86%)
Time allowed (multiple choice)	57 minutes
Hazard perception clips	14 video clips
Pass mark (hazard perception)	44 out of 75
Maximum score per clip	5 points

MOT Requirements

Vehicle Type	First MOT Due	MOT Frequency
Cars	3 years after first registration	Annual
Motorcycles	3 years after first registration	Annual
Light goods vehicles	3 years after first registration	Annual

Insurance Groups

Group	Range	Risk Level
Group 1	Lowest insurance group	Lowest risk/cheapest
Group 50	Highest insurance group	Highest risk/most expensive

Penalty Points

Offence	Points	Typical Penalty
Speeding (minor)	3 points	£100 fine
Speeding (serious)	3-6 points	£100-£1,000 fine
Mobile phone use	6 points	£200 fine
No insurance	6-8 points	Unlimited fine
Drink driving	3-11 points	Up to 6 months prison
Dangerous driving	3-11 points	Up to 2 years prison
New drivers	6 points in first 2 years = licence revoked	Must retake test

Parking Restrictions

Sign/Marking	Meaning
Yellow line (single)	No parking during times shown
Yellow line (double)	No parking at any time
Red line (single)	No stopping during times shown
Red line (double)	No stopping at any time
Zigzag lines	No stopping/parking (school/pedestrian crossing)

Vehicle Loading

Requirement	Specification
Load overhang (front)	Not permitted
Load overhang (rear)	Maximum 1 metre without marking
Load overhang (rear with marking)	Maximum 2 metres with proper marking
Load overhang (side)	Not permitted beyond vehicle width

Vulnerable Road Users

Priority Rule	Distance/Time
Passing cyclists	Give 1.5 metres space when overtaking
Horse riders	Pass slowly, give plenty of room
Pedestrian crossings	Stop if pedestrians waiting to cross

Environmental Considerations

Factor	Impact
Under-inflated tyres	Increase fuel consumption by up to 3%
Aggressive acceleration	Can increase fuel consumption by 40%
Air conditioning	Can increase fuel consumption by 15%
Speed (motorway)	10 mph reduction can improve fuel economy by 10%

Vehicle Maintenance Intervals

Component	Check Frequency
Oil level	Weekly
Tyre pressure	Monthly
Tyre condition	Monthly
Lights	Weekly
Windscreen washers	Weekly
Brakes	When driving - any unusual sounds/feel