KET tickets: B category and the KET exam for other categories

KET tickets – these are road traffic rules test questions grouped into tickets (tests) used for learning theory and taking the driving theory exam. Simply put, these are the questions future drivers solve to prepare for the official KET exam. In this article we'll discuss what KET tickets are and how the KET exam works at "Regitra". We'll focus mostly on the B category (passenger cars), but we'll also compare it with the A, C, D category exam structure. We'll also review the exam rules, the number of questions by topic, the pass requirements (over 80%) and provide statistics on "Regitra" exam pass rates. At the end of the article you'll find a FAQ – frequently asked questions about KET tests and driving exams.

What are KET tickets?

The term KET tickets usually means sets of road traffic rules (KET) test questions designed to check drivers' theoretical knowledge. KET tests cover various traffic rules topics: from recognising road signs to solving complex situations at intersections. The official theory exam consists of a certain number of such questions, and while practising, future drivers solve KET tickets studying on their own or at a driving school. In Lithuania, driving theory exams are organised by the state enterprise "Regitra" – it is its exams that check whether a candidate knows the road traffic rules well enough.

It's worth noting that the official KET exam questions are not publicly published, but they are prepared based on the current road traffic rules and situations drivers may encounter. Future drivers usually learn from the KET book and by solving KET tests online (for example, using the roboket.lt system), where constantly updated questions matching the official exam topics are provided. Such KET tickets help prepare for the exam – by solving tests, candidates can assess their knowledge level and find out which topics need revision.

The course and rules of the KET theory exam

To get a driver's licence, you first need to pass the theory exam (KET test) at "Regitra", and only then can you take the practical driving exam. The theory exam takes place at the "Regitra" exam centre at a computer: during the exam you must answer all the KET questions within the set time. Immediately after finishing, you find out whether the exam was passed, and any mistakes made are shown.

Exam procedure: if you fail the theory exam, you may retake it no earlier than after 7 days. The number of exams is unlimited – you can try as many times as needed until you pass, but a set fee of €10 is charged for each attempt. It's important to prepare responsibly, because every failed attempt costs money and lengthens the whole licence-acquisition process.

For the theory exam you need an ID document, a valid health-check medical certificate, and to have completed the required training course. However, in theory you can prepare for the KET exam on your own (attending formal theory lessons is not mandatory). "Regitra" allows taking the theory exam as an external candidate, but for the practical exam the candidate must have completed practical driving training at a driving school.

Number of questions and topics in the exam

The KET theory exam consists of a set number of questions, depending on the vehicle category. When taking the B category (passenger car) theory exam, you are given 30 questions . Each question usually has several possible answers (most often one correct option). The exam time is as many minutes as there are questions – so the B category test allows 30 minutes . For other categories there may be slightly more questions (discussed in the next section), but the pass condition is the same for all categories – to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly.

The theory exam questions cover various KET topics and situations. A KET test usually includes questions from these topics (typical distribution):

• 6 questions - Awareness of the risks associated with driving a motor vehicle;
• 5 questions - Rules of conduct when driving on a public road;
• 3 questions - Right of way and giving way;
• 3 questions - Special roads and road sections, road users and manoeuvres;
• 3 questions - Safe vehicle driving and responding to critical situations;
• 4 questions - Road markings, road signs, traffic lights and controllers' signals;
• 2 questions - Responsible participation in traffic and eco-conscious driving;
• 2 questions - General requirements of the road traffic rules and other laws governing road traffic;
• 2 questions - Knowledge about the vehicle.

Experience shows that the most attention is paid to intersection situations (where mistakes are most often made). Each category exam also has a certain number of questions specific to that category (e.g., for motorcyclists – about protective gear, for truck drivers – about weight and dimension limits, etc.). After passing the exam, the result is valid for 1 year – within that time you also need to pass the practical exam, otherwise the theory exam would have to be retaken.

Differences in exam structure by category

Although the main KET exam rules are the same for all categories, the number of theory exam questions differs. The B category (cars) exam has 30 questions covering the general road traffic rules. The A category (motorcycles, including A1, A2 and the AM moped category) theory exam includes 35 questions – that's 30 general questions plus an additional 5 specific questions related to the specifics of motorcycle riding. The C category (trucks) and D category (buses) exams each include 40 questions – 30 general and an additional 10 specific questions related to driving larger vehicles. The additional specific questions ensure that drivers of different vehicles know the requirements relevant to them (e.g., the A category exam checks knowledge of motorcycle braking, balance, protective gear; C category – about cargo securing, weight distribution; D category – about passenger transport rules, etc.).

Regitra exam pass statistics

As statistics show, the KET exam is not easy for many candidates. In 2024, only about 40% of those taking the theory exam at "Regitra" passed it on the first try, and the practical driving exam – only about 23% . Within the first three attempts, about 70% of candidates pass the theory exam in total, but the rest often take the exam more times. There's a noticeable trend that pass rates have worsened over the last decade: for example, in 2015 ~55.8% of candidates passed the B category theory exam on the first try, while in 2023 – only ~42.7%. This shows that the exam difficulty (or level of preparation) has changed over the years – more and more future drivers face difficulties trying to pass the test.

Future drivers often take the exam several or even a dozen times. According to "Regitra" data, there were cases where the theory exam was taken dozens of times – one person needed as many as 50 attempts before finally passing the KET test. The practical exam is often even more difficult for candidates – in 2024 alone it was recorded that one driver passed the practical exam only on the 45th attempt. Nevertheless, the vast majority of candidates won't try that many times – statistics show that about 70% of people manage to pass the exams within the first three attempts.

Interestingly, men pass the theory exam slightly more often than women – during one period it was recorded that men's exam pass rate was about 10 percentage points higher (e.g., ~42% vs ~32%). However, both "Regitra" representatives and driving instructors agree that success is determined mostly not by gender or chance, but by proper exam preparation. The main reasons for failure are usually insufficient knowledge of the KET rules, lack of practice solving tests, or anxiety during the exam.

Tips on how to prepare for the KET exam

Although the KET test is difficult, with proper preparation it can certainly be overcome. Experts recommend combining learning both with studying the theory material and with solving practice tests. First, it's advised to thoroughly familiarise yourself with the KET rules – examine the official rules and explanations. Many future drivers attend driving school theory courses or learn remotely in specialised courses, where instructors help understand more complex traffic situations and share experience. Theory lessons provide structure for learning, but you can also learn on your own – it's important to diligently read the KET theory (roboket.lt provides all the KET theory) and consistently revise the material.

Just reading the rules is not enough – you must constantly practise by solving KET tests. In online systems such as roboket.lt, you can find the latest KET tickets with updated questions. When solving tests, try to analyse each question: after finishing, review which answers were wrong, look for explanations of those situations in the KET rules, or consult a teacher. This learning method helps master the rules in practice. It's recommended to aim for at least 90–100% correct answers in practice tests – if you consistently achieve such results, it's a sign you're well prepared for the exam.

Also don't forget about psychological preparation. During exams, anxiety can trip up even well-prepared candidates, so it's important to learn to manage stress. It's advisable to rest well before the exam and arrive early (about 20–30 min before the exam) – then you'll have time to calmly register, present documents and get in the right mindset. Avoid intensive studying the last night – better to revise lightly and go to bed earlier. On exam day, if you're unsure while solving the test, don't be afraid to skip a more difficult question – all questions can be reviewed again if time remains. Success in the exam is a combination of good theoretical preparation and a calm, focused mindset.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)