Last week we shared our best advice for acing the multiple choice part of the theory test. This week we’re going to talk you through the hazard perception test. Similar to the multiple-choice questions, the more you know about this part of the test and the more you practice it, the more likely you are to pass it. Here are our top tips on how to prepare for the hazard perception test.

Knowing how the hazard perception works

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, the theory test is broken into two parts: the multiple-choice questions and hazard perception test. The hazard perception part of the test involves watching a series of clips on a computer screen and clicking whenever you see a potential hazard happening. You’ll be shown a total of 14 clips which feature every day road scenes containing at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips features 2 developing hazard. You can preview what the clips will look like from this video guide from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency:

Knowing the hazards

A developing hazard is defined as something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction. An example that the official government website provides is: ‘A car is parked at the side of the road and isn’t doing anything. It wouldn’t cause you to take action, so it’s not a developing hazard. When you get closer the car’s right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You’d need to slow down, so it’s now a developing hazard.’ Similarly, if you see a pedestrian on the pavement walking, that’s not a hazard. However, when they step into the road or obstruct your path, that’s a hazard because it forces you to either stop or slow down. You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard, the sooner you spot the hazard starting to develop the more points you will score. You can only attempt the clip once, so make sure you make it count! Be wary of clicking too much, because if you click too many times during one clip, you could potentially be given a 0 for that, and might lead to your failure. Simply click once every time you see a developing hazard.  

Practicing the hazard perception

Much like the multiple-choice part of the test, the more practice you have, the more likely you are to pass the test! There are many ways to access resources to practice this part of the test, so don’t worry! There are CDs that are featured in a theory revision pack that allows you to take the hazard perception on your own computer. If you don’t have that, the’re ways you can access it online too!

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When it comes to the big day, remember to bring your provisional driving licence, otherwise you cannot take the test! You can’t bring in personal items such as bags, headphones or your phone, you will be asked to leave those in a locker. Remember, it’s a government run test, so cheating may result in major consequences, so don’t risk it! Good luck with it and remember, with enough practice, you won’t need to feel nervous. Just use your common sense if you get stuck! Check out our social media to stay updated with driving test tips! InsureLearnerDriver's Facebook Page | Twitter Page | Instagram