New drivers are disproportionately involved in accidents, especially in the first months after passing a
driving test. It has been proven that drivers who have taken
hazard perception test training have much better
hazard perception test skills.
Why the hazard perception test element was introduced?
The government is committed to reducing the numbers killed and seriously injured on Britain's roads by 40 per cent by 2010. The
hazard perception element was introduced into the
driving test in November 2002 as one of the measures that should help achieve this target by encouraging appropriate training in scanning the road,
recognizing at the first opportunity from the clues that a potentially dangerous situation might arise and adopting a driving plan to reduce the risk.
During the development of this test, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) worked closely with colleagues from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and the road safety division of the Department for Transport, both of whom thought this test suitable for testing the hazard awareness skills of all drivers.
Hazard perception test introduction
Hazard perception test forms a second section of the theory test and must be passed at the same time.
Integrating theoretical hazard perception test training into the practical training sessions will ensure that as competence is achieved in each of the necessary skills, they can be strengthened and applied while you are on the road to increase the road safety benefits.
This part of the
theory test requires you to view 14 hazard video clips on the
computer screen of approximately one minute each. You are required to watch
these clips as if you were the driver.
There will be 15 hazard to find - at least one on each clip. However, one clip will have 2 hazards.
The hazard perception test clips will not contain any sound.
The clips feature various types of hazard, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions.
You should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing
that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction.
The earlier the developing hazard is spotted, and a response made, the higher the score.
Candidates can score up to five marks on each hazard and the test contains 15
scoreable hazards.
You click either the left or right mouse button whenever you think you can see a hazard developing.
The speed at which you click the mouse button as a hazard develops will determine your score for that
particular hazard perception clips. You can score between 0 and 5 on each hazard.
The pass mark for this part of the test is 44 out of 75 (i.e. 15 hazard x 5) for car drivers and motorcycle riders.
Those taking LGV or PCV (lorry or bus) tests must score at least 50 out of 75.
To practice hazard perception test, you can download FREE software here