Thursday, July 15, 2010

Hazard perception test - An important part of driving test

Hazard perception test introduction

Hazard perception test has been introduced in the driving theory test. It was introduced because new drivers are unfairly involved in accidents, generally in the first months after passing their driving test.

Hazard perception test is a second section of the driving theory test and candidate must pass the test at the same time. It has been noticed and brought into the picture that driver who has taken hazard perception test practice or training has much better hazard skills.


Many learner drivers fail in hazard perception test because they need to know more about hazard test itself. Hazard perception test plays a very vital role as it helps in reducing number of deaths on the roads. While driving there are some hazards to which driver come across such as huge vehicles moving over to your side of the road, loose pets and farmyard animals, change in the traffic movement and volume, junctions and roundabouts, horse riders, weather conditions of the day, road surfaces, parked vehicles, hidden junctions & turns. A driver has to face all this obstacles and has to come out of all this very smoothly and make his own way.

Hazard perception test examination process

In this pattern of driving theory test you will be shown 14 hazard video clips on the computer screen which will be of one minute each. You have to watch these clips as if you are the driver. There will be at least one hazard in each clip means totally you have to find 15 hazards. All together one clip will have two hazards. M

The clip has variety of hazards, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. You should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction.

Hazard perception clips will start with a freeze frame at the beginning of the video sequence and a count down from 10 will being. At the end of the count down the clip will start to play and you need to click the mouse button each time you see a developing hazard.

To let you know that the program has registered you need to click a red flag which will appear on a grey band across the bottom of the screen - one flag for each click you make in any particular clip. At the end of the clip all the flags will be removed before you proceed the next clips.

Hazard perception test scoring mechanism -

If a candidate understands the concept of hazard perception test that how to score good marks how does it works, what are the ways to which one has to come out of danger or hazard while driving etc. It’s not at all difficult to pass hazard perception test instate it’s a scoring mechanism.

Candidates can score up to five marks on each hazard and the test contains 15 score able hazard. You need to click either the left or right mouse button wherever you think you can see a hazard developing or soon you may come across. The speed at which you click the mouse button as a hazard develops will determine your score for that particular hazard clips. You can score between 0 and 5 on each hazard.

The pass mark for this part of the test is 44 out of 75 (i.e. 15 hazard x 5) for car drivers and motorcycle riders. Those taking LGV or PCV (lorry or bus) tests must score at least 50 out of 75.

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