ADT

The Driving Theory and Hazard Perception Test

The Theory Test is a comprehensive test of total driving knowledge.  It consists of 35 demanding multiple choice questions, 30 of which must be answered correctly to pass.

This equates to a pass mark of over 85%.

To pass you will need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following

Provided that you have prepared thoroughly you should have nothing to fear from the Test of Driving Theory.

Hazard Perception Test

As of 14th November 2002 the Hazard perception test has been added to the end of the Theory test.

The hazard perception test is based on the fact that learner drivers generally recognise the clues that show that a hazardous situation may develop much later than a more experienced driver.  Each developing hazard can therefore be said to have a `window of opportunity' attached to it.  This window is the time between a clue first appearing and the point when a hazard has developed to where a response would be too late.  The test is not about how quickly candidates can react to a hazard but about how early (when) they recognise, from the clues, that a situation might develop, or is developing, which may require the driver to take some form of avoiding action.

The Hazard Perception Test measures the ability to look at and understand the whole road scene and to recognise possible traffic hazards at an early stage, as they develop.

During the test film clips will be seen of traffic scenes from a driver's point of view. They each contain one or more hazards that show a situation developing that involves other road users.

There is not a correct or a wrong answer to any of the clips.  A person's hazard perception ability is measured by their responses to a number of different hazards, filmed in a range of different situations and locations.

Each Hazard Perception Test will contain 14 film clips and 15 scoreable hazards. So in at least one of the film clips there will be more than one hazard that a candidate needs to respond to.

As the film clips used in the test are filmed on real roads they contain all types of hazards. However the only hazards that will be scored are the developing ones (These are the hazards that differentiate between drivers with different levels of experience). Candidates have no need to worry, as they won't lose points for responding to other hazards.

Each developing hazard may require the driver to take some form of action such as changing speed or direction. The candidate should respond by pressing the mouse button as soon as they think, from the clues in the clip, that this might happen

Each test clip will only be shown once, so concentration is important. It is not possible to go back to an earlier clip and a response cannot be changed.

The response should be made to developing hazards by pressing the left or right mouse button, whichever is preferred.

When one of the mouse buttons is pressed the video will not stop or slow down, but a red flag will appear at the bottom of the screen each time a response is made. This red flag shows that a response has been recorded.

The earlier the clues are recognised and a mouse button is pressed to record that a hazard has been recognised the higher the score. But, if the button has been pressed to show that a hazard has been recognised and the situation changes - for example because another vehicle comes into view - it may be necessary to press the button again.

Candidates do need to be careful though. If lots of unnecessary responses are made in a very short space of time, or throughout the clip, a zero score will recorded for that clip. If this happens a warning message will be shown on the screen at the end of the clip.

Think you know it all already - prove it with our online driving theory test!

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