UUGGGHHH...Need advice please. Failed the driver's licence test

I took the Theory part of the driver's license test today, and FAILED.  I'm so angry. What a waste of time and money spent preparing for it. I got every single question right on the main part- 35 out of 35- and then for some reason I was DESTROYED on the stupid hazard perception part.

Here's what happened- on the first clip, when the first hazard appeared, I clicked quite a few times in quick succession. I wasn't cheating, but for some reason the computer thought I was, and gave me zero credit for that 1st sequence, which understandably freaked me out a bit. For the subsequent clips I tried not to click as fast, although I did click multiple times as a hazard developed.

I'm quite sure I noticed the hazards early on, yet I got a very low score (1 or 2) on many of the clips. What I'm thinking is that perhaps my first click was so early that it was before their "measurement window", and then by the time I clicked again, it was considered quite late. What do you think?

And what do you think I should do to "prepare" for my next nightmare hazard perception test, if that's even possible? Are there any practice tests for hazard perception where you can see why you scored low?  This is infuriating.

Thanks

I think you can buy CD-Roms or DVDs that simulate the test and coach you through it. Maybe that might help? I haven't taken mine yet, but that's what I was planning on doing at some point soon....

great...I'll be doing that shortly, about a month or so. I suppose I'll have to allow time for the possible failure. 

I studied for about a year for my theory test just because I had the time. I passed 100% but the hazard test was a bit difficult for me. I missed two basically because I didnt know what I was doing. I just kept clicking the mouse faster and faster. Dont know how I passed!

I think you can buy CD-Roms or DVDs that simulate the test and coach you through it. Maybe that might help? I haven't taken mine yet, but that's what I was planning on doing at some point soon....

You should DEFINITELY get the CD demo tests. No question. I bought them and thought it was really difficult. Even taking demo tests in the comfort of my own home, it took me a few days to actually pass! But then when I got to the test centre, I found the real hazard test was much easier than what was on the CDs. So I'm sure it helped me to take a bunch of really hard demo tests beforehand.

Belindaloo, thanks very much for that valuable advice- I will certainly follow it; it sounds like that's the key to passing this bloody thing. Would you be so kind as to send me the link to the exact CDROM you bought? I fear there are several available perhaps and I want to make sure I get the exact one you used.

Many thanks 

Belindaloo, thanks very much for that valuable advice- I will certainly follow it; it sounds like that's the key to passing this bloody thing. Would you be so kind as to send me the link to the exact CDROM you bought? I fear there are several available perhaps and I want to make sure I get the exact one you used.

Since passing my test, I've handed my old CD off to someone else, otherwise I'd have been happy to give it to you! I just got it at WH Smith. They were right next to the study guide books for the theory portion of the test. You can order it from Amazon as well:

As one of the reviewers on Amazon states, the demo tests are not the same as the actual DVLA hazard test. The DVLA doesn't produce its own study guides for the hazard test, so the producers of the CD have tried to replicate what you'll see on the real, but it doesn't look exactly the same. But to me, these slight differences made it easier to pass the real test -- I thought the way the demo tests were set up was much more difficult.

Do you have to retake the theory portion of the test as well? If so, bear in mind that the theory study guides are changed every year and include different questions every year -- another brilliant money-making scheme courtesy of the DVLA. 

Best of luck to you!!

Sorry to hear about your test.

Definately get a study guide CD-ROM. I used the LDC approved Everything you need to pass your Driving Test. by GSP.  It is a 2 disc set with several mock tests (in a set order or random) for both the theory and hazard perception test.  I picked mine up at Woolworth's, but I imagine you can find it at other stores like WH Smith or Waterstone (or similar book stores). Check Ebay UK or Amazon.co.uk as well.  It also has tips for the practical part of the test.  I spent several weeks practising which probably helped immensely.

I also zeroed out on 2 of the clips for clicking too fast. Its a default with the program to prevent people from just clicking away hoping to hit it right.  Also, remember one of the clips has two hazards in it so be aware of that when you retake your test.

Hope that helps!!

I just recently sat (and passed) my theory test as well and highly recommend the DSA version of the CD rom study guides.  It is again 2 cd's: one with the multiple choice mock test, and the other is a DVD with an instructional video, and then mock Hazard Perception tests.  It is laid out *exactly* like the test you really take and it was incredibly useful for me.  I only practiced the hazard part the night before but passed with no problems at all.   

It's called "The Complete Offical Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers" and is put out be the DSA (the people who set the driving tests).  Here's a link on Amazon:



Hope you have better luck next time!

Thanks very much to all of you for this helpful advice! 

Well, thanks to one of the banks I work with, I'll be racing on the track tomorrow (See link below), so I'll think of those DVLA bas**rds and their refusal to recognize me as someone fit for a license while I'm streaking down the track at 130 miles per hour in an F1 car!!

http://www.motorsportsensation.com/

Thanks very much to all of you for this helpful advice! 

Well, thanks to one of the banks I work with, I'll be racing on the track tomorrow (See link below), so I'll think of those DVLA bas**rds and their refusal to recognize me as someone fit for a license while I'm streaking down the track at 130 miles per hour in an F1 car!!

http://www.motorsportsensation.com/

Good for you! They truly are bas**rds. 

Not to worry, a lot of my friends took the road test several times before they passed.  DH, who is British, passed the road test on his 4th try. 

Bad luck.   I have no idea how the system is programmed for this test, but I can certainly see how your signals could have been misinterpreted somehow.   Maybe as an experienced driver you were just seeing extra potential hazards which the test was not set up to recognize.

This hazard-perception test is all new to those of us who have held a U.K. license for years anyway.     Perhaps the authorities should have made an exemption on this part of the test for those already licensed elsewhere.   Maybe the road rules/signs part is justified due to the large difference between the U.S. and the U.K., but I can't help wondering what this hazard test is going to achieve for an already-experienced driver.

I just recently sat (and passed) my theory test as well and highly recommend the DSA version of the CD rom study guides.  It is again 2 cd's: one with the multiple choice mock test, and the other is a DVD with an instructional video, and then mock Hazard Perception tests.  It is laid out *exactly* like the test you really take and it was incredibly useful for me.  I only practiced the hazard part the night before but passed with no problems at all.   

It's called "The Complete Offical Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers" and is put out be the DSA (the people who set the driving tests).  Here's a link on Amazon:



Hope you have better luck next time!

Wishstar,

Is this the right link to what you used?  The description is for just a paperback book, not CD ROMs. 

I would like to buy exactly what you used.

Thanks in advance.
Jim