Hazard Perception Test

23 years ago, when my mother took her driving test, it was very easy to pass as there were no theory tests involved and obtaining a driving licence was mainly associated with a learner's ability to drive safe and sound. Hazard perception test was only introduced in the UK on 14th November 2002. You have to take your hazard test at the same time as the theory test and you need to pass both to be able to take the practical driving exam.

Statistics have found that new drivers are most at risk of being in an accident within the first few months of driving. Since the driving theory hazard perception test was introduced in 2002, it has shown that new drivers are more aware of their surroundings and this has subsequently reduced the number of first time driver accidents.

You cannot cheat on the hazard perception test - if you click too many times, you don't score any points for that clip. It's useful to have a current DSA approved mock hazard perception test. By borrowing older guides, you may risk failing your test because the clips may not be up-to-date. You can get free hazard perception test by searching online and it doesn't cost you anything and the great thing about it is that you can practice it as many times as you want.

How to pass the hazard perception test?

• Practice with a friend
• Go for drives with friends and family to increase awareness when driving on the road
• Don't practice too much as you will eventually forget what you're learning
• Take at least one test a day
• Keep a record of the weakness you face when taking the test
• As you approach the test date, try not to put yourself under too much pressure and just try to remember the clips you've practiced on
• Remember that you can fail by clicking too many times

A brief summary of the hazard test

• The driving hazard perception test consists of 14 clips and 15 hazards
• One of the clips contain two hazards while the others have only one
• Each hazard is worth up to 5 marks; the sooner you spot the hazard the higher the mark
• You must score 44 out of 75 points to pass

What exactly is a hazard?

A hazard is an event that can lead to an accident. For example, if you are driving and you notice a ball rolling across the road a few metres from you, then this can mean that a kid may show up running across the road at any time to get his ball. So you have to slow down just in case this happens. During the test, you will have to click as soon as you see the ball come into vision and this will give you the highest point available for that clip. If you click when you see the boy in the middle of the road, then it is considered too late and you will get only very low or no points at all.