Brief
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is a government agency that promotes road safety and delivers driving tests to aspiring motorists in the UK. For British car and motorcycle provisional license holders, a theory test must be taken to obtain a full license.
The Stationary Office (TSO), the team responsible for publishing the guides to studying for your theory test, approached the team at Reactive London to develop a set of three iPhone apps to bring the study guides to life via mobile and to provide users with a study guide with a range of practice tools to help them pass their test.
The Theory test iPhone apps available for download are:
1. Theory Test Lite: A free version of the Theory Test app with a limited set of questionsto allow people to try the app. Features in app purchase ability to upgrade to the full app.
2. Theory Test: The full app featuring all of the questions.
3. Theory Test Kit: The full app plus the Hazard Perception video tests.
Design & Strategy
In order to create an app that is easy to use and appeals to DSA’s target audience, Reactive encouraged users to leave feedback on the DSA Theory Test Facebook page and researched a number of applications that were relevant to what they wanted to develop. The team took the feedback into account when creating the test app to ensure that their audience’s needs were being met.The apps showcase highly usable design and navigation that is intuitive and easy to use.
Key features that are found in some of the apps include:
• Handy Locator to find your closest Theory Test Centre
• Facebook Social Plugins to share the app with friends
• Retina display optimised graphics
• Easy-to-read study guides
• Links embedded in the test questions take you directly to the relevant page
• In-app purchase for hard copy and CD rom versions from the app
• Dial contact numbers directly from the application
• Push notifications for test reminders
• Record and display your high score via the Game Centre integration and earn badges based on your achievements
Solution
Reactive produced all elements of the applications. An easy update process means that users are not required to install a whole new app each time the DSA rules change
Results
As the only official Theory test apps on the market, the apps are delivering strong results for DSA. After only one week in the UK App Store, the Theory test app is already in the Top 10 paid section in the Educational category.
Reactive has continued to work with DSA on a number of projects including the redevelopement of the Theory Test CD ROM titles. The new CD ROMs are generating a number of positive reviews from users.