To get your probationary licence you must pass the Hazard Perception Test. You must pass this computer-based test before you can attempt the on-road Drive Test.
A hazard is something that increases your risk of a crash. The Hazard Perception Test checks that you can recognise and react to hazards such as other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. It presents you with traffic scenes where new drivers are more likely to crash. It checks your ability to observe the whole road scene and to respond safely to possible hazards.
You need good hazard perception skills to drive safely and avoid crashes. These skills are explained below in the Hazard perception skills section. It is important that you understand this information so that you can correctly respond to the questions in the Hazard Perception Test.
You must be at least 17 years 11 months before you can do the Hazard Perception Test. The test results are valid for 12 months. If you don't obtain your licence within 12 months of passing the Hazard Perception Test, you will have to sit the test again.
During the test you will watch 28 short videos taken from a driver’s perspective. For each video you must indicate when you would react if you were the driver (e.g. slow down, overtake, start to turn, move off, or no action). Each video runs for approximately 30 seconds and you must click the mouse when you think it is safe to perform the required task, unless you decide no action is required.
Your responses will be assessed in terms of safety.
You will have 45 minutes to complete the test. A score of 54% or more is needed to pass.
Below are examples of video scenarios you will see in the Hazard Perception Test.
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Example Scenario 1
You are stationary and wish to turn right at
this intersection. Click the mouse when
it is safe to do so? |
Example Scenario 2
You are driving straight ahead. Click the
mouse when it is safe to stop. |
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Example Scenario 3
You are driving behind a cyclist. Click the
mouse when it is safe to overtake.
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Example Scenario 4
You are driving straight ahead and
approaching a hazard. Click the mouse
when you think you should slow down.
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Hazard perception tests can be completed at VicRoads Customer Service Centres. To make an appointment:
For information on the fees payable to get your Ps see: Licensing fees
Your learner permit card or original evidence of identity documents.
You can do the Hazard Perception Test in any of the following languages (screen text and audio assistance):
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Albanian |
Macedonian |
Somali |
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Arabic |
Persian (from 1 June 2012) |
Spanish |
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Cambodian |
Russian |
Turkish |
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Chinese (Mandarin) |
Serbian |
Vietnamese |
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English |
Singhalese |
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Get as much supervised on-road experience as possible in a broad range of driving situations. Drivers under 21 must complete a minimum 120 hours of supervised experience before they can apply for a probationary licence.
Supervising drivers and driving instructors can help you to fine tune your hazard perception skills by using some of the techniques described in the Learner Kit.
You can also look at Drive Smart, which is a free CD-ROM training product that can help you become a better, safer driver.
Go to Drive Smart.
New drivers are more likely to have a crash, particularly in the first 12 months of driving. This is because hazard perceptions skills take a long time to develop. It's not about how well you can control the car. Experienced drivers scan the road better and are quicker to recognise that a hazardous situation is developing. They can then take action before a dangerous situation develops. This provides them with better safety margins and more time to react compared to new drivers.
So it's important for you to learn to recognise and avoid hazards, to improve your safety and the safety of other road users.
A hazard is anything that increases your risk of having a crash. This includes anything that you have to react to so you avoid a crash. Important hazards or things to look for that could result in a hazard are:
- Vehicles stopping ahead of you.
- Other vehicles at intersections - whether you are turning or going straight ahead.
- Curves in the road or changing road surfaces.
- Vehicles with their indicators on.
- Motorcyclists - especially as they can appear when you are not expecting them.
- Pedestrians near buses or trams.
- Pedestrians stepping out from behind parked cars.
- Pedestrians crossing the road.
- Other traffic when turning.
- Vehicles merging or changing lanes.
- Slippery/gravel surfaces or rain/fog.
Hazard perception is a complex mental skill where you are able to identify and avoid potential hazards.
Unfortunately, there are no short-cuts to becoming an experienced driver and developing good hazard perception skills. You can't develop hazard perception skills from a book or DVD; you need lots of on-road experience.
Good hazard perception involves:
- Scanning for hazards all around your car - keep your eyes and head moving to look for potential hazards and changes in the road environment such as unexpected road users (e.g. motorcyclists, pedestrians).
- Recognising potential hazards.
- Planning well ahead.
- Anticipating potential hazards and reacting early.
- Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. This will give you plenty of time to react to unexpected hazards. For example, keep at least a two second gap in front and keep plenty of space around your vehicle as a safety margin.
- Driving at a safe speed for the conditions.
- Slowing down and stopping if required.
- Making safe decisions while dealing with more than one potential hazard at a time.
This may seem like alot to do, but it will become easier as you get more driving experience.
The most common types of crashes for new drivers are:
- Rear end crashes involving two vehicles travelling in the same direction.
- Crashes involving turning right in front of oncoming traffic.
- Being hit by right right turning traffic.
- Colliding with other vehicles coming from the opposite direction (head on crashes)
- Running off the road on a curve or bend, or on a straight section of the road, and hitting an object such as a tree or parked vehicle.These common crash types suggest that new drivers have problems detecting and avoiding hazards at intersections, on curves and in traffic.
The best ways to avoid crashes in these situations while you are developing your hazard perception skills are to:
- Slow down and always drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
- Leave larger gaps between your vehicle and the one in front (always use the two second gap rule).
- Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and oncoming traffic when turning at intersections.
- Focus all your attention on driving and don't get distracted by passengers or by doing other things in the car.
- Never drive when you are tired or affected by alcohol or other drugs.
The Hazard Perception Test and the Drive Test assess two different types of skills.
The Drive Test focuses mostly on car handling skills and your ability to drive safely in traffic. This is limited to the driving conditions around the test centre on the day of your test. Testing your hazard perception skills in different driving situations is also important.
In combination with the Drive Test, the Hazard Perception Test:
- Provides more information about your ability to drive safely than the Drive Test alone.
- Helps focus on skills that have a close relationship with crash risk
- Includes traffic situations that may never occur during the on-road Drive Test.