Hazard Perception Test - experienced driver

[CAPP0]

I'm looking to add more categories onto my licence (which I passed 43 years ago ) but to do so I have to pass the hazard & theory tests first.

Now I don't doubt for one second that in the past 43 years I've picked up bad habits, become blasé, think I'm a great driver just like everyone else does, but b****r me, it's difficult to score well on the practice hazard tests. I see things which are 100% hazards in my mind, which don't count for jack on their scoring algorithm, or conversely see hazards and click too early thus scoring zero, or see things which I think really aren't a hazard in everyday driving, but they nail you for ignoring those.

Other than just keep doing practice tests (which I am), anyone got any top tips for how to get past this obstacle?

[normalbloke]

Just been through the same for my HGVs. All I’ll say is, forget what you know as an experienced driver, and take the time to learn to pass the test.

[Scrump]

I had to take it when I took my motorbike test quite a few years ago and found the same as you; identifying hazards which were not the ones being marked on the test and also clicking on the hazard too early. Lots of practice and I passed without problem.
Last year my daughter took her car theory test and I helped her practice the hazard perception test, it took me a couple of attempts to ‘tune in’ again to what the test was looking for.

[CAPP0]

Thanks chaps, I'm doing all the practice tests I can find. Ironically the one I was previously most concerned about was the HGV Mod 2 CPC, because that's truck-specific stuff, but passed that first time with a good score. Now I'm more concerned about the hazard test!

Edited by CAPP0 on Saturday 24th April 23:12

[foggy]

You’re not alone, I nearly stumbled on it when going for my HGV test back in the day, thinking it would be fine having many years driving experience. Practice practice practice to learn the what the test is looking for.

[CrutyRammers]

I found the same. Lots of "clicking too early", you apparently have to wait until it's actually a hazard, anticipation is discouraged. Bizarre.

[Rubins4]

Just to echo the sentiments above, forget what you know and learn to pass the test (recently passed theory & hazard for DAS bike licence).

[anonymous-user]

The fundamental issue is that EVERYTHING is a potential hazard!

What you learn from experience or proper driver training ( @reglocal ) is the PRIORITISE AND SORT hazards, and not just to identify them.

A test where you mearly click on anything that could be a hazard is stupid because you need to click on everything you can see!

[CAPP0]

Max_Torque said:

A test where you mearly click on anything that could be a hazard is stupid because you need to click on everything you can see!

And if you click too many times, you get disqualified/zero score for that clip!

I've paid for two sites with practice clips, I might pay for another which says it uses 2021 clips

[The Wookie]

Did my Cat C theory last year, biggest challenge I had was not clicking too early to score

[Who me ?]

As an experience driver ( I've got 56 years under my belt) , I just say- play with the test and then when driving, just consider any/all hazards at any distance as a hazard. Al to often I see cars only seeing me in the distance the test requires, when I've spotted then a few minutes earlier and taken action.

[Leicester Loyal]

6 lads at my work just went through their class 2 license (I think that's what they called it) a few days ago and all of them failed, 4 of the 6 failed on the hazard perception.

[rxe]

Do the practice and learn what the algorithm wants. When we did it with my son, it seemed to want zero anticipation, click on the thing when it is a definitive Oh st hazard.

This test is about as related to real driving as eating ice cream.

[vonhosen]

There will be lots of potential hazards in the clip, but the scoring zone relates to the hazard that is a developing hazard.

Best technique I found was click once for the hazard you identify & then wait to see if it develops.

If it doesn't develop then that's it, no more clicks for it.

If it does develop, then as it is further developing a second click followed by another about 1.5 seconds later & that's it for that hazard.

[Driversmatter]

I'd like to echo vonhosen...

Click the hazard when you see it (when you would check your mirror)
Click it again as it develops (when you need to change speed of direction)
Click it again (when you'd go for the oh dear handle and/or brake pedal when your other half is driving)

[graham22]

I had to do my hazard perception last year for my HGV test, having never done one before.

I was told to click when you see a hazard developing rather than anticipating it, I gave each one 2 precise clicks and got them all.

Just don't get distracted by the funny walks and the E90 BMW with a beige dash & wipers going the wrong way!!

eta - have a go at some of the free online tests and you'll see there's little to worry about.

[CAPP0]

And the update is......I passed it . I'd never say I smashed it, let's leave it at "I got more points than the pass mark" which is all I needed.

I did loads of practice tests beforehand but during the test I was convinced I'd blown it, but hey, it's that piece of paper at the end that matters! So that's Hazard, theory and CPC Mod 2 all passed, next stop, the cab of a truck.

Thanks all again for your input.