How to Pass Your Hazard Perception Test on the First Try
How to Pass Your Hazard Perception Test on the First Try
With only three things to pay attention to on the hazard perception test (HPT), you may think this test should be the easiest of all three parts of the driving theory test in the UK. But unfortunately, many learners find this section much more difficult than they expect it to be. With careful study and practice, however, you can learn how to pass your hazard perception test on the first try and become an official licensed driver!
What is hazard perception?
The hazard perception part of your practical driving test is made up of 14 video clips. You’ll have four minutes to watch these and score as many points as you can by clicking when you see a potential hazard. These videos are different from other videos you will have seen during your driver training because they show real-life road scenes – but there will still be plenty of opportunities for scoring points by clicking when you spot hazards that could happen in real life.
For example, not stopping at a stop sign, failing to give way at a junction or reversing into someone's path are all examples of hazards which can cause crashes and injury if not spotted early enough. If you think about it, most driving scenarios involve spotting hazards before they become an issue. Spotting dangers ahead of time and acting quickly to avoid them is one of the key skills you need to pass your driving test! That's why understanding how to spot hazards (or perceive them) is so important - especially on your practical driving test. Although getting through your theory test first might seem like more important preparation, passing your hazard perception exam first could help you pass sooner.
With our FREE resource 'Your Essential Guide To Passing Your Practical Driving Test', we'll tell you exactly what information is covered in each section of both parts of your practical driving test and how best to prepare for each one: Viewing some sample clips from actual tests may help you better understand what's involved.
What you need to know about your practical test
Before you sit for your practical test, it's a good idea to go over what will happen. Here's what happens: You'll be shown pictures of possible hazards while you're driving. You have to respond by pushing a button in your car.
The examiner will then ask whether there is a hazard and you'll have 30 seconds to identify which of the three road signs best describes what you are seeing on screen. In addition, these symbols can appear at random times during your driving test if there is an obstruction or potential danger ahead of you and you’ll need to act quickly, use common sense and drive safely at all times. You must know what each symbol means as well as what action to take when you see them. These road sign icons include:
What Happens on the Driving Test? When you arrive for your driving test, make sure that you are wearing suitable clothing for both yourself and your vehicle. This includes having a clean interior and exterior with no visible defects such as dents or rusting parts.
It is also important that your tyres are correctly inflated (not too low) with tread depth less than 4mm across its entire surface area. If any of these checks fail, don't panic! Simply contact one of our team who will arrange another appointment for you at no extra cost to yourself.
What are hazards?
Before you can start spotting hazards, you first need to know what constitutes a hazard. The definition of a hazard is an object or situation having the potential to cause harm. It could be anything from something as obvious as a child crossing your path or an unmarked road works sign, but also includes other things such as vehicles travelling in front of you or even queues of traffic ahead. For our purposes, we are interested in those objects or situations that have 'the potential to cause harm, not those that necessarily will cause harm. What do I look for?: When driving around it's easy to get distracted by everything going on around you and forget what it was you were supposed to be looking out for. To avoid getting distracted, drivers should only focus their attention on one thing at a time. This means if there is a queue of traffic ahead then don't look at anything else until it has passed; if an animal is running across your path then don't look anywhere else until it has been safely avoided; and so forth. Once that one thing has been dealt with then move on to another hazard.
General tips for passing your hazard perception test
Sit up straight and have a good posture behind your steering wheel. No slouching! Focus intently on all possible scenarios, such as pedestrians stepping into your path, cyclists swerving in front of you, etc. If you start thinking about how bored you are, force yourself to concentrate again! Watch both videos attentively and only react when it's safe; don't just stare at a scene while a video is playing. Make sure that you're not getting distracted by other things going on around you, even if it's just an interesting car driving by that catches your eye. Practice makes perfect! You can take hazard perception tests as many times as you want, so keep trying until you get it right. The more familiar you are with what to expect during your test, the better off you'll be. And remember: practice doesn't make perfect—perfect practise makes perfect! Don't let anxiety ruin your chances of passing your test. When you've passed it once, you know what to expect from another one, so try not to stress out too much. It's also worth noting that your score will remain constant for 12 months after taking it for the first time, so there's no need to rush and book another appointment just yet. Practising regularly can help boost your confidence too. Once you've got everything down pat (and feel like an expert), try setting up mock hazard perception tests using real-life examples captured on dashcams or security cameras instead of relying solely on these training resources available online.
How can I improve my hazard perception skills?
Here is a list of questions and answers, along with tips and tricks, that will help you improve your hazard perception skills in time for your test. Although this guide is perfect for all drivers, younger drivers who are new to the road might need it most. Getting ready for your driving test can seem like a daunting task; after all, nothing's quite like taking a practical test. As a result, the more time you put into the process methodically, the easier it will be. No one-size-fits-all approach to preparation, but we hope our guide helps you get started. Practice makes perfect, so make sure you spend a lot of time doing so. That's what sets apart a good driver from a great one! Best of luck!
What practice tests are available online?
Lots of practice tests are available for free online that you can take again and again, so if someone's offering to take the exam for you for a fee, it may not be necessary. However, if you want to get the absolute best guidance possible, you should go with sites like Theory Test Pro or Practical Driving-Tests. They offer a variety of traditional, excellent ways to study, as well. Picking the type of online driving course that will work best for your learning style is likely to lead to success the first time you take your driving test. What happens during my driving test? For a good starting point, make an appointment with an examiner and discuss any concerns you have. Then, the examiner will explain what's going to happen during your test. First, they will make sure that your car is in tip-top shape. Next, they will take you out onto a public road to ask you to complete some manoeuvres. For example, they might have you do parallel parking, three-point turns, and emergency stops at certain points along the route (known as stations). You must demonstrate all these things before moving on to more complex manoeuvres, such as junctions and roundabouts. After each station, the examiner will point out any deficiencies that need improvement before moving on to the next station.
Some free and some paid resources
The government-owned website provides a great deal of information and guidance. It includes some videos, as well as extensive detail about what you need to know for your test. It even tells you what’s going to happen during your test so that you can make sure you're ready before getting behind the wheel. The majority of knowledge from a practical driving theory test will come from elsewhere, however. You'll find books and other resources on Amazon that provide instruction on many topics included in these tests, from road rules to road signs and everything in between! Amazon is an excellent resource for learning all about taking a UK car or motorcycle practical driving theory test.