The Hazard Perception Test
For our online mock hazard perception test clips see the links and instructions at the bottom of the page.
Hazard Perception Test The Facts
The hazard perception (or awareness) test consists of 14 video clips, each about a minute long. Each clip shows driving situations involving other road users and is shot from a car driver's point of view. As each clip plays a hazard -
something that will cause the driver to change speed, direction or stop
- will develop. In 13 of the clips you will have one hazard to identify, in the other clip, you will have two hazards to identify. You will not be told which hazard perception test clip has two hazards to identify.
You identify the correct hazard or hazards by clicking on either the left or right mouse button. The earlier you identify the correct hazard or hazards the more points you score. The scoring goes from five to zero points.
Don't think you can continuously and frantically smoother the screen with clicks as the hazard perception clip plays. If you do this you will score zero. However, you will not lose points for clicking on other potential hazards that may also be seen.
So, you watch a clip and in that clip you will see several potential hazards unfolding. Most will stay exactly that, potential hazards, but one (or two) will become an actual hazard that will cause the vehicle (the camera shot, the driver's point of view) to change speed, direction or stop. This is the hazard you must identify and click on in order to score points. Clicking on the potential hazards will neither score you points nor lose you points, but clicking too many times will result in you scoring zero.
Potential Hazard - The woman is running along the pavement. Does she want to catch the bus, does she intend to hurry across the road? Maybe, but if you click now you wouldn't score any points. |
Developing Hazard - She raises her hand and signals her intent to cross the road and get to the bus. The scoring window opens. Click now and score points. |
Actual Hazard - The woman is in the road and is an actual hazard. The scoring window closes. |
Watch the Official DSA Hazard Perception Introduction Video
To Pass The Hazard Perception Test
To pass the hazard perception test you must score at least 44 points out of a possible 75. |
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Taken
The hazard perception test is the second part of the driving theory test. After you finish the multiple-choice section (the actual theory test) you will be permitted a break of up to 3 minutes. A short tutorial video on the hazard perception test will then play, once finished. the hazard perception test will begin. The test will last for around 20 minutes.
Definition of A Hazard
A hazard can be anything that causes a driver to change the speed, direction or stop the vehicle they are driving. Although in real life a hazard may be static such as a set of traffic lights, a junction or a bend, these are not the sorts of hazards that you will need to identify during the hazard perception test. During the hazard perception test you will need to identify hazards that develop and thus have motion such as a bus pulling away from a bus stop or a lollypop lady stepping into the road.
Potential Hazards - What To Look Out For
General
Residential Streets
Roads Near Schools
Country Roads
Motorways
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Preparing For The Hazard Perception Test
To prepare for the hazard perception test try testing yourself. Take a journey by car and watch the road ahead. Numerous hazards will emerge. Some will develop others won't. Can you tell which? Although the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) doesn't release the actual hazard perception test clips there are books & multi-media that have example hazard perception test clips etc.
To further help you understand hazard awareness see our guide on anticipation and planning.
Our Mock Hazard Perception Tests
Below are links to sixteen online hazard perception tests. The video clips are taken from the official DSA practice bank so they give a good idea of what you will need to do when taking the actual hazard perception test.