Hazard Perception Test NSW (HPT)
The Hazard Perception Test NSW (HPT) is part of the licensing process. To progress from a provisional P1 driver licence to a P2 licence, you need to pass the HPT. The HPT is a computer-based touch screen test that measures your ability to recognise potentially dangerous situations on the road and respond appropriately. It aims to make sure P1 drivers have enough hazard perception skills to progress to a P2 licence.
The test questions and situations focus on the five most common crash types for NSW provisional drivers.
The test uses film clips of real traffic situations. In each clip, you’ll be asked to respond by touching the screen, for example when you would slow down, overtake, or turn at an intersection.
There are 15 film clips in the test. You’ll be given two clips to practice on, before the test begins.
Inexperienced drivers are at risk
Statistics show that young drivers aged under 21 are involved in three times more crashes than drivers aged 21 or more.
An obvious reason for this is that young drivers have had less time and fewer opportunities to develop the good hazard perception skills we all need to drive safely.
Some young drivers also knowingly take risks, probably because they have not yet had personal experience of the consequences of a crash where someone is killed or injured.
Five most common crash types
Almost 90 per cent of crashes involving provisional drivers in NSW fall into these five crash types:
- 25% – rear end collision
- 19% – collisions at intersections, usually with a vehicle coming from the left or right
- 17% – head-on collisions
- 14% – running off the road on a curve and hitting an object
- 14% – running off a straight section of road and hitting an object
Risk factors
The most likely reasons for a provisional driver to be involved in a crash are:
- Travelling too closely behind other vehicles
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Not looking far enough ahead when driving
- Choosing gaps that are too small when making turns, crossing intersections or overtaking.
What is a hazard?
A hazard is a possible source of danger that could lead to an incident. Safe drivers know how to spot them in time and take actions that will avoid incidents.
Hazards can include pedestrians crossing the road, road works, broken-down vehicles and other cars stopping ahead of you or entering from side roads.
Hazard Perception Test Practice NSW – Practice Tests
To help you acquire hazard perception skills and prepare for the HPT, you’ll need to study the Hazard Perception Handbook (PDF, 2.4Mb). You can view the handbook online, or purchase it from any registry or service centre.
There are also five interactive modules available, to help you practice many of the skills you need to pass the HPT and stay alive on the road.
These practice modules are not examples of the actual test questions. In the real test, you’ll be shown real traffic situations. The practice modules are animations demonstrating the main concepts of hazard perception, including stopping and following distance, safe gaps, and scanning for hazards.
Instructions for using the practice modules
- Use the sliders to control distance
- Control your speed with the + and – buttons
- Choose options from pull-down menus
- Use arrows to select a left or right hand turn, and to look to the left, centre or right.
Practice modules
- How close is safe – make the connection between distance and speed
- Stopping distances – learn how long it takes to stop at various speeds
- Safe gaps when turning – learn to safely judge gaps when turning left and right at ‘T’ intersections
- Safe gaps at intersections – learn to safely judge safe gaps when turning right at traffic lights
- Scanning for hazards – learn to react to hazards you encounter on the road.
When to take the Hazard Perception Test NSW
Once you’ve held your P1 licence for at least 12 months, you can attempt the HPT. However you should not feel under any pressure to attempt the test immediately.
You should only attempt the HPT when you have sufficient driving experience, have carefully studied the Hazard Perception Handbook and applied the information to your driving. You can continue to drive on your P1 licence for as long as you need, provided you renew it.
Booking your Hazard Perception Test NSW
When you’re ready to take the test, you’ll need to make a booking and pay the test fee. You can book online, by phoning 13 22 13, or in person at any registry or service centre.
Taking the test Hazard Perception Test NSW
At your booked time, you’ll need to attend the nominated location to do your test. You’ll need to provide a completed Licence Application form (PDF, 315Kb) and prove your identity.
