The driving theory test now has a new component, the hazard perception test. It was introduced because it has been found that new drivers often are unfairly part of accidents within the first few months after they pass their driving test.
The hazard perception test will be the second part of the driving test and the candidate must be able to pass both parts of the test simultaneously. It was noted that a driver who has taken the test practice or completed formal training will have better hazard skills on the road.
Currently, learner drivers often fail the hazard perception test because they do not know enough about the hazard test itself. Its role is to help reduce the amount of people who die on the road. There are a few hazards that drivers need to be aware of such as loose pets, vehicles moving on the road, farmyard animals in the road, horse riders, parked vehicles, weather conditions, and hidden junctions. You can try free theory test practice papers here.
A driver needs to be able to face any of these obstacles and still come out ok so that they can continue on their way. The driving theory test tests this ability by showing 14 hazard video clips on a computer screen and the driver must watch the clips and find each of the hazards that are presented. Altogether there are 15 clips with one clip showing two hazards.
As soon as a hazard appears the test taker needs to respond by pushing a mouse button that represents reaction on the road such as changing direction or speed.
Hi Alan,
While the intention of the test may be good, I think that people need to be very careful when practising.
On the actual test, the scoring windows open up much later than a vast majority of practice DVDs.
Only a couple of Hazard Perception DVDs, are in sync with the actual test, one of them is the official DSA one.
If you are practising on a DVD which is out of sync with the test, then on the day you will end up clicking too early and missing many scoring windows.
Most people don’t realise this, which is why the failure rate of the Theory Test is ridiculous at around 40%, almost all of these people fail on the Hazard Perception part of the test!
Kind Regards,
James Shoob
Hazard Perception Test Practice