The Hazard Perception Test

There are over 35,000 people killed on the roads every year. Research has shown that an inexperienced driver often takes up to 2 seconds longer to recognise a hazard than an experienced driver which results in one in every 7 accidents where an injury has been caused involves young and inexperienced drivers despite them only making up a small percentage of the total number of drivers.
Experience also showed that many learner drivers taking the practical test showed poor hazard perception skills.
In response to this situation the government in an effort to improve this situation introduced the Hazard Perception Test which has been taken by all learner drivers since Nov 2002.

Hazard Perception is the driving ability and skill to detect situations as early as possible and take appropriate avoiding action if necessary, e.g. changing speed or direction. This involves techniques such as 
     Scanning the road and recognising potential hazards.
     Anticipating what may happen and planning a safe course of action.
     Selecting a safe speed for the road and traffic conditions and maintaining a safe      distance between yourself and other road users.

The hazard perception test is taken at the same time as the theory test and lasts about 15 mins. You have to pass both the hazard perception and the multi choice theory test to gain a pass certificate - you cannot take the practical driving test until you have passed both the theory test elements.

The hazard perception element tests your ability to look at and understand road scenes and to recognise possible traffic hazards as they develop. It consists of 14 video clips lasting 1 min each. Before the test begins you will be given instructions via headhones on the format of the test and shown a practice video clip in the same format as the clips that will follow in the test itself. The test requires you to watch the clip and click the mouse when you see a developing hazard (a hazard is something requiring you to change speed or direction).
You gain marks depending on how quickly you see and respond to the developing hazards and each clip contains one hazard except one clip which will contain 2 hazards. You will not be deducted marks for any hazards that you might anticipate but have not been used for marking purposes for that clip.

At the end of the test you will only have to wait a short time for the computer to generate your test results which will be in the form of a letter, whether you pass or fail the letter will idicate any weak areas that may need attention in your future training. If you have been unsuccessful you cannot re-take the test within 3 working days.