Driving Your Car

Hazard perception test forms a 2nd segment of the driving theory test and needs to be passed at the same time. Integrating theoretical hazard perception test into the practical training sessions will assure that as competence is reached in each of the necessary skills, they are strengthened and used while you are on the road to maximize the route safety benefits.

This portion of the theory test asks you to see 14 hazard video clips on the computer screen of about one minute each. You are asked to watch these hazard clips as if you were the driver. There will be 15 hazards to find - any on each clip. However, one clip will have 2 hazards. The hazard perception test clips will likely not contain any sound.

The following listing provides the 13 hazard groups that you should be looking for:

Each hazard clip begins with a freezing frame of the start of video and a count down from 10 will commence. At the end of the count down the clip will start to play and you will be asked to click on the mouse at any time when you see a potential hazard start to develop and each time any extra evidence appears to back up that development. To let you know that the program has registered your click a red flag will appear on a gray 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 flags will be removed before starting an upcoming clip. Although each clip holds several possible hazards only the one that materializes into a real hazard and involves another road user is marked.

The official hazard perception practice video clip recommends that you click the mouse button each time you find a difference as the hazard materializes, not just once when you think you have seen it start to develop. This will ensure you score the maximum for each clip even if you click too quickly as you expect a hazard rather than responding to its development. Hence, it might be normal to click 2, 3 or possibly 4 times as the hazard evolves. However, make sure you only click in response to changes you see.

When the clip finishes the screen will turn black for a few seconds before the freeze frame for an upcoming video clip looks and the count down commences again warning you to get ready. This form is repeated until all 14 video clips have been shown.

Theory test introduction:

The theory test is created with two parts; the multiple choice section and the hazard perception section. If you pass one section and fail the other you'll fail the entire test, and you'll require taking both sections again. Immediately after you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test.

The theory test consists of 50 questions in a multiple choice format and you need at least 43 correct answers to pass. All the questions will look on a computer screen which is touch sensible. The questions are designed to be very easy to read, only looking one at a time. It will be possible to skip forwards and backwards through the questions, and can take up to 57 minutes to complete the theory test.

Before you can apply for your practical driving test, you must pass your theory test.

The questions may cover the following topics:

* Alertness

* Safety and Your Vehicle

* Attitude

* Vulnerable Road Users

* Safety Margins

* Hazard Awareness

* Vehicle Loading

* Vehicle Handling

* Other Types of Vehicle (Motorcyclists, Lorries, Buses)

* Rules of the Road

* Motorway Rules

* Road and Traffic Signs

* Accidents

If you have special needs then at the time of your theory test booking it is important that you state your needs so that the necessary arrangements can be made by DSA.

The theory test can be taken in 20 other languages through the use of a headset giving a voice-over. The available languages are- Spanish, Albanian, Arabic, Farsi, Cantonese, Hindi, Bengali, Turkish, Gujarati, Dari, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Kurdish, Polish, Mirpuri, Portuguese, Pushto, Tamil and Urdu.

You may be able to take a translator, if your language is not offered. The translator must be approved by the DSA and at present can only be accommodated at the following theory test centers- Aldershot, Birmingham, Derby, Birkenhead, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Ipswich, Preston, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Glasgow and Palmers Green.

If you fail your theory test, you may retake the theory test as many times. However, you must wait a minimum of three working days between each test attempt. You must prepare your test vary well before you attempt your theory test will save your time and money.

In most test centres you will get your result and, if you pass, your theory test pass certificate within about half an hour of completing the theory test.

In most test centres you get your test result within about half an hour of completing the theory test and if you pass, you get your theory test pass certificate as well.

You may be able to simply exchange it to a UK licence, If you hold a foreign license. You would need to ask to the Driver Vehicle Licencing Agency. You do not have to take a theory test if you are updating your current full UK licence.