How to pass hazard perception test
Hazard perception tips: how many times to click, pass marks and more
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By Ben Welham
Last updated: 19 June 2025
The hazard perception test is one of the most stressful pieces of the overall driving test puzzle, but it’s also one of the most important, so you have to get it right.
Just like the practical test that follows, preparation is key, and with the proper knowledge and know-how, you can score well and pass your theory test.
So, how does the hazard perception test work, what do you need to know about it, and how can you prepare to pass it?
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Prepare for your hazard perception and theory test
Prepare
The best way to prepare for your hazard perception test is to:
Use the DVSA’s theory test kit app – it includes all official questions and hazard examples
Brush up on the Highway Code – you’ll need to know it!
Know your traffic signs – knowing the difference between two different signs could make or break your test
Knowing how to drive – revert back to what you’ve learnt in your driving lessons already, and apply it where necessary
How does it work
Don’t worry, before you start the actual test, the test centre will show you a video on exactly how the hazard perception test works, but here’s an intro so you can see what’s to come.
After the introduction, you’ll then be shown 14 video clips. These will feature everyday road scenarios and will contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ – but one of two clips will have two to look out for.
The way you pass is by spotting these developing hazards early on and clicking the computer mouse.
You only get one attempt at each clip, and you cannot review or change it once it’s finished.
You do not lose points if you get it wrong, and you won’t get anything from clicking continuously or in a pattern to try and ‘trick the system’, so it’s best to play as fairly as possible for a chance to pass.
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What is the pass mark for hazard perception?
You can score up to five points for each developing hazard, depending on how quickly you spot them.
The total number of points available in the hazard perception test is 75, with the pass mark being 44.
As for the multiple-choice questions, there are 50 points on the table, with 43 points being a pass.
How many hazard perception clips are there in total
There are 14 clips in total, and these will only be played once.
Practice with hazard perception mock tests
A great way to get some practice in ahead of your theory test is to complete a series of mock tests.
These are readily available online, including on the UK Government website.
Revise for the other part of the theory test
The hazard perception test is just one part of your theory, and there are also multiple-choice questions to answer.
There are 50 questions in total, and there’s a lot of helpful material online and books available to help you learn the content for these.
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During the hazard perception test
Click when you see a developing hazard
The second you see a developing hazard taking place (not potential), you must click your mouse.
If you are correct, you’ll get the points, but if you are wrong, then you will need to try again in the next clip.
Three-click method
The three-click method is a nifty trick to help you get maximum points. Click three times when you see a hazard, and at least one of those clicks is likely to fall inside the correct window to get the points.
How many times can you click on a hazard?
You can click on a hazard as many times as you like, but we’d recommend doing no more than three.
Don’t over-click, as the test may think you’re trying to fake a rhythm, and you won’t get any points.
Other hazard perception tips
We have a few more top tips to think about ahead of your test:
Know what counts as a ‘developing hazard’ – something you may need to change speed or direction for
Think like a driver – imagine you’re behind the wheel, and if you’d react, then you should probably click the mouse
Keep your eyes peeled on the whole driving scene – look at the side roads, pavement, parked cars, etc
Hazards often appear from the edge of the frame
Practice your reaction time – the more cat-like, the better
Practice using official DVSA clips online
Stay calm and focused – you’ve got this
Would you need to react?
If you think you’d need to react if you were driving in that situation, then click the mouse when you spot a developing hazard.
A developing hazard is something you’d need to change speed or direction for, so if you’d need to do that if you were driving, then tell the programme by clicking the mouse.
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Don’t click too early
It’s very tempting to just click as soon as the clip starts, but this can be detrimental to your test.
Instead, you should only click when you would need to take action in that situation.
However, if you think you’ve spotted a developing hazard and click (potentially too early for the computer), then you can click another couple of times to balance it out, and hopefully one will be within that window to score points.
Practice with updated mock tests
Older videos (pre-2015) use real video. The current test uses CGI.
It’s important to practice using updated mock tests because older videos (pre-2015) use real videos, whereas the current test uses CGI.
Watching the correct clips beforehand will ensure you know what to expect on the day.
Explore other new driver content
Being a new driver is hard. There are so many things to think about and remember – it can get quite overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve set up a new driver hub where you can read content made for new drivers to help them become well-established drivers.
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