Written by the LANEUP team
The short answer
- The provisional test is the written test you pass before you learn to drive on the road.
- It has 25 multiple-choice questions.
- You need 22 of 25 right to pass. That is 88%.
- It covers road signs, junctions and right of way, and the rest of the Highway Code.
What the test is for
In Zimbabwe you take the provisional test at the VID (Vehicle Inspection Department) before you can drive on the road as a learner. It checks that you know the rules of the road before you get behind the wheel. It is not the road test: that comes later, in a car, with an examiner.
The questions come from the Highway Code, so everything you need to know is written down somewhere. The hard part is remembering it under pressure.
The format
The test has 25 questions. Each one shows a question, often with a picture of a sign or a junction, and a few answers to choose from. Only one answer is right.
You pass with 22 or more right answers. That leaves room for only 3 mistakes, which is why learners who "nearly" know the rules often fail. Getting most questions right is not enough: you need to get almost all of them right.
Tip: practise until you pass mock tests every time, not just once. One good score can be luck; five in a row means you are ready.
What it covers
The questions cover the whole Highway Code. LANEUP splits it into 8 topics:
- Road signs
- Junction rules and right of way
- Traffic lights, road markings and police signals
- Lanes, overtaking and speed
- Parking, breakdowns and accidents
- Night, weather and hazards
- Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles
- Licences and your vehicle
Road signs and junctions are where most learners lose marks. Many questions show a picture, so you need to recognise a sign or read a junction layout at a glance.
How to get ready
Study one topic at a time, and check yourself before moving on. When every topic feels solid, take full mock tests that mix questions from all of them, in the same 25-question format as the real test.
When you get a question wrong, find out why. Learning the reason behind each rule is what stops you making the same mistake twice.
Questions learners ask
How many questions are on the provisional test?
25 multiple-choice questions.
What is the pass mark?
22 of 25, which is 88%. You can get at most 3 questions wrong.
Is the provisional test the same as the road test?
No. The provisional test is the written test you take first. The road test comes later, when you drive a car with an examiner.
Where do the questions come from?
From the Highway Code: road signs, rules at junctions, road markings, speed, and what to do in a breakdown or accident.
Sources: Zimbabwe Highway Code. LANEUP is independent and is not an official government app. Check with the VID before your test, in case anything has changed.
