hazard perception test

hi everyone,

I'm finally trying t o get a UK license and have been practicing the "hazard perception test" on my dvd. OMG, after 15 years of driving (plus time driving here as a learner) I am failing this left and right. It seems impossible. Anyone else here fail this with flying colors on your test? I am starting to worry that I won't pass the theory test, much less the practical test after that.

Anyone here fail the theory test and have to take it again? How hard is it?

The key to the hazard perception test, or so I heard and it worked for me, is to click three times.  Once when you first see the hazard, once as it develops and once at the end. 

I agree with bookgrl

Also remember the hazard perception is for new drivers so for me as an experienced driver I saw it quicker and I was clicking too early. I had to get the timing right and put my mind in the new driver mode.

Its all about timing obviously, keep practicing!
I also did tons on line in addition to the DVD so you switch it up a bit ;-)

good luck!

It's been a few years since I did it, but I remember the actual test being much easier than the practice DVD.

It's been a few years since I did it, but I remember the actual test being much easier than the practice DVD.

That too!

I failed it the first time because I was actually trying to identify the hazards and like ChillyWilly was clicking too early. When I then did practice tests, I discovered that it was a clicking strategy test as bookgrl described. When I took the test again I think I missed 1 point. Very annoying, but like the actual driving test, is more of a box-ticking exercise than whether you can actually drive. 

...and don't click too many times! As an experienced driver in the US for some 3 decades, I saw hazards coming out of the woodwork when I took the test. And like DrSuperL99, I saw the hazards too early and responded too quickly, causing the programme to think I was guessing. So much so that on one segment, it cut short and the screen told me that I would get no credit for that one because it assumed I was clicking randomly. Fortunately, there are several segments and all my other segments made up for that one. Phew!

It helps to watch the practice video during the exam (just before the Hazard Perception Test starts and you can choose to rewatch it, too), as it will tell you exactly what's expected of you. I.e, click as soon as you see the potential hazard, again as it progressively becomes more hazardous, and so on...but not too much!

Same as everyone else, I had to learn to play this video game...and that's how I saw it - as a video game with specific rules.  I practiced, practiced, practiced.  And in the end, it worked out fine.

These are tips everyone. Thanks so much! Onetiger, I can totally see how you call it a video game.

Onetiger was being facetious, of course. Obviously, it's a serious part of the driving test that you must pass in order to get your driving licence. But as it entails watching and interacting with a video onscreen; and responding in just the way the system expects you to (rather than as you might in real-life...whether you're a very experienced driver or not) in order to score properly, it certainly has similarities to a video game. 

The funny thing is, you go for years (decades?) without being flustered about driving, but being tested on it...wow, different world. To be fair, I've always made certain I get my US licence renewed in a timely manner, else they make you take the written and practical test again! (At least in Texas, they do!) Ewwww!