Hazard Perception: Dos and Don’ts

Before learners can even think about booking their driving test, they have one major roadblock to overcome: the theory test. For many, the multiple-choice section is straightforward and relatively self-explanatory.

The hazard perception test, however, often catches learners off guard. Made up of video clips, the hazard perception test ensures learners can spot developing hazards—a crucial skill for staying safe on the road. If you’re not too familiar with it yet, don’t worry! At Leo Driving School, we’ve got plenty of hazard perception advice to help you.

We’re going to walk you through our list of hazard perception dos and don’ts. Once you know what to expect, you’ll be breezing through this part of the test in no time.

Hazard Perception Dos

DO know what to expect

The key to acing any test is understanding its structure and what’s expected of you. (If you’re already familiar with the theory test, feel free to skip ahead!) The theory test starts with the multiple-choice section. Once you’ve completed that, you’ll get a 3-minute break before moving on to the hazard perception test. Although you should already know what’s involved by this stage, you’ll still be shown a practice clip that explains the process.

When revising for the theory test, begin with the Highway Code as it provides essential road rules and information. We recommend using resources such as the official DVSA handbook or the AA Theory Test Book. Both contain official DVSA questions and answers. Study them thoroughly—you’re likely to encounter similar questions in the real test.

For the hazard perception section, you’ll watch 14 video clips simulating various road conditions and scenarios. You need to use the mouse to click every time you spot a developing hazard. Out of the 14 clips, one will contain two developing hazards; the others will have only one. Each hazard is worth 5 points, and the quicker you spot it, the more points you score. You need 44 out of 75 to pass.

DO click when you see a developing hazard

It’s all well and good telling you to click when you see a hazard, but it’s essential to understand what counts as a developing hazard. Here are a few examples to guide you:

Pedestrians stepping into the road unexpectedly, whether crossing or getting into a car.
Cyclists swerving in front of you or emerging from side roads.
Heavy vehicles obstructing your view or changing lanes without warning.
Parked cars blocking the road and forcing you to slow down or change lanes.
Roadworks requiring you to adjust speed or lane position.

The difference between a potential hazard and a developing hazard is important. Potential hazards might require action, but developing hazards definitely will. For example:

"A car parked at the side of the road isn’t doing anything—it’s not a developing hazard. If its right-hand indicator flashes and it starts to move, it becomes a developing hazard because you’ll need to slow down."

DO keep your eyes peeled

Naturally, you need to stay alert during the test. However, you can also train yourself to spot hazards in real life. Even as a passenger, start paying attention to the road ahead.

The hazard perception scenarios are based on real-life driving situations, so the more you practise observing hazards, the better. Think about the last time you saw a cyclist swerve or a car brake suddenly—these are exactly the kinds of events you’ll see in the test.

As you get better at predicting these patterns, you’ll become quicker at identifying developing hazards, which will help you pass the test.

DO practise

It’s no secret that practice makes perfect. The more comfortable you become with hazard perception tests, the better you’ll perform on the day.

Some learners underestimate the test, believing common myths about the theory exam, and skip proper preparation. Don’t make this mistake! Use hazard perception mock tests to build confidence and accuracy.

Remember, you need to pass both sections of the theory test to move forward. You can’t book your practical driving test until you’ve passed the theory, so start revising as early as possible. At Leo Driving School, we provide excellent resources to help you master both sections!

Additional Resources to Help You:

Ultimate theory test revision resources
Prepare for success: how to pass your theory test
Got your theory test tomorrow? 5 last-minute tips!

Hazard Perception Don’ts

DON’T click in a pattern

Clicking randomly or in a pattern won’t do you any favours. The DVSA software detects suspicious clicking behaviour and could mark you as cheating. This will result in zero marks for the clip, which could cost you the test.

However, you don’t need to worry about being overly cautious. As long as you click when you think you see a developing hazard, you’ll be fine. Just don’t click incessantly or in a pattern—focus on accuracy.

DON’T just practise on your phone

Using apps on your phone to revise for the hazard perception test is convenient, but it has its drawbacks. When practising on a phone, you use the touchscreen to click on hazards. In the real test, though, you’ll be using a mouse.

If you’ve only practised on your phone, you might find your reaction time slower when switching to a mouse, which could cost you valuable points. So, mix it up—practise on your computer as well as your phone.

DON’T underestimate its importance

The hazard perception test isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It helps develop the skills you’ll need for real-life driving. Roads can be unpredictable, and good hazard perception allows you to anticipate and respond to dangers early, keeping yourself and others safe.

If you don’t develop this skill, you might not react in time when driving unsupervised. That’s why practising for the test is so important. It sharpens your ability to spot hazards early and take appropriate action.

DON’T worry too much

While the theory test is important, it’s not worth losing sleep over. If you follow our advice and practise regularly, you’ll be well-prepared for the big day.

If nerves are still getting the better of you, check out our guide to avoiding test-day anxiety. And remember, failing your theory test isn’t the end of the world. Many learners need a couple of attempts to pass, and that’s okay. Once you’re familiar with the process and the test centre, you’ll feel much more confident the second time around.

At Leo Driving School, we’re here to support you every step of the way. With the right preparation, you’ll be ready to ace your hazard perception test and move on to the practical driving exam with confidence!