In the UK, any new driver will be tested for their Hazard Perception as part of their driving
Theory Test. Hazard Perception, or the ability to identify hazards, is an essential skill
when driving as we will have to react to hazards almost every time we drive. In this video
we will help you spot hazards in real life, and understand the difference between a potential
hazard and a developing hazard - as this will help you pass your Theory Test, and be a safer
driver on the road.
Before we start, make sure you subscribe to our channel and click the bell icon so you
are alerted when we upload a new video. Also, we love to read your comments - so please
scroll down and let us know what you think!
Hazards take many forms and can happen at any time - so we must stay alert. The best
way to spot hazards is to use our forward planning skills to look ahead and take notice
of what is happening. We look all around us - to both sides and in front of us, not concentrating
on any single point but keeping our eyes moving. We are looking for anything that could change,
or develop so that it forces us to take some kind of action to stay safe.
In the UK we must pass a compulsory Theory Test before we can book our Practical Driving
Test. The Theory Test consists of 50 multiple choice questions and a test of our hazard
perception. The Hazard Perception part of the test comprises of 14 short videos, and
tests us on our ability to identify a developing hazard that would need us to take some kind
of action, such as changing speed or direction. We will need to score at least 44 out of 75 points
to pass.
A ‘potential hazard’ (circled in yellow) is anything that could cause you to take action
- but hasn’t yet. We don’t need to click on these hazards when doing our Hazard Perception
test, but in real life we should be aware of them in case they develop. A ‘developing
hazard’ (circled in red) is when a hazard changes so that it causes us to take some
form of action such as braking or changing direction. On our Hazard Perception test we
should click as soon as we spot a developing hazard, and in real life we should react promptly,
and do whatever we need to do to avoid the hazard putting us in danger. The earlier
we can react the safer we will be, so on the Hazard Perception test we will score 5 points
if we react quickly, reducing down to no points if we react too slowly. If we click too early
we won’t score any points at all, so we must wait until the hazard starts to develop
before clicking.
We will show you 5 short video clips that contain several potential hazards and one
developing hazard. Pause the video when you think you would need to take action because
of the developing hazard. Note the time on the stopwatch, and then continue. We
will then replay the video and show when you should have taken action for the developing
hazard, and how many points you would have scored on the Hazard Perception test.
Practice Clip 1 Clip number 2
Practice Clip 3 Clip number 4
Practice Clip 5
So how did you do? Did you click too early or too late? Our ability to identify hazards
and knowing when to take action will develop over time, so the more driving experience
we can gain the better. If you are going to be taking the UK Theory and Hazard Perception
test soon then you can also practise with the official DVSA app on your phone or tablet.
So remember to; Stay alert and vigilant
Use your forward planning skills to identify hazards
Take action when required, and Learn from experience
If you found this video interesting and would like to be notified when we release the next
one, then please click our logo to subscribe to our channel.
If you would like to help us make new videos, then please click the Patreon logo to find
out about our crowdfunding campaign. Thanks for watching!