Hazard Awareness Theory Test 2025 Questions

Hazard Awareness Theory Test 2025 (1)

Prepare to pass your hazard awareness Theory Test in 2025 with ease. Get access to realistic practice questions, essential tips, and explanations to improve your knowledge on hazard perception. This hazard awareness test contains 50 multiple-choice questions to answers.

You’ve been involved in an argument that has made you feel angry. What should you do before starting your journey?

Turn on your radio

Calm down

Have an alcoholic drink

Open a window

Correct! Wrong!

If you’re feeling upset or angry, you’ll find it much more difficult to concentrate on your driving. You should wait until you’ve calmed down before starting a journey.

You’re following a slower-moving vehicle on a narrow country road. There’s a junction just ahead on the right. What should you do?

Accelerate quickly to pass before the junction

Overtake after checking your mirrors and signalling

Only consider overtaking when you’re past the junction

Slow down and prepare to overtake on the left

Correct! Wrong!

You should never overtake as you approach a junction. If a vehicle emerged from the junction while you were overtaking, a dangerous situation could develop very quickly.

What’s a common effect of drinking alcohol?

Faster reactions

Increased confidence

Increased concentration

Colour blindness

Correct! Wrong!

Alcohol can increase confidence to a point where a driver’s behaviour might become ‘out of character’. Someone who normally behaves sensibly might suddenly enjoy taking risks. Never let yourself or your friends get into this situation.

You take the wrong route and find you’re on a one-way street. What should you do?

Turn around in a side road

Reverse into a driveway

Reverse out of the road

Continue to the end of the road

Correct! Wrong!

Never reverse or turn your vehicle around in a one-way street. It’s illegal and could even cause a collision. If you’ve taken a wrong turn, carry on along the one-way street and find another route, checking the direction signs as you drive. Stop in a safe place if you need to check a map.

What hazard should you be aware of when travelling along this street?

Children running out between vehicles

Large goods vehicles

Glare from the sun

Lack of road markings

Correct! Wrong!

On roads where there are many parked vehicles, you might not be able to see children between parked cars and they may run out into the road without looking.

You’re planning a long journey. Do you need to plan rest stops?

No, only fuel stops will be needed

No, you’ll be less tired if you get there as soon as possible

Yes, regular stops help concentration

Yes, you should plan to stop every half an hour

Correct! Wrong!

Try to plan your journey so that you can take rest stops. It’s recommended that you take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving or riding. This should help to maintain your concentration.

Why are mirrors often slightly curved (convex)?

They make it easier to judge the speed of following traffic

They give a wider field of vision

They make following traffic look bigger

They totally cover blind spots

Correct! Wrong!

Although a convex mirror gives a wide view of the scene behind, you should be aware that it won’t show you everything behind or to the side of your vehicle. Before you move off, you’ll need to look over your shoulder to check for anything not visible in the mirrors.

How would age affect an elderly person’s driving ability?

They’ll take longer to react to hazards

They won’t be able to obtain car insurance

They’ll need glasses to read road signs

They won’t signal at junctions

Correct! Wrong!

Be tolerant of older drivers. They may take longer to react to a hazard and they may be hesitant in some situations

Array

Why should you reduce your speed when driving along this road?

A low bridge is ahead

The road narrows ahead

The road surface changes ahead

A staggered junction is ahead

Correct! Wrong!

Traffic could be turning off or pulling out ahead of you, to the left or right. Vehicles turning left will be slowing down before the junction, and any vehicles turning right may have to stop to allow oncoming traffic to clear. Be prepared for this, as you might have to slow down or stop behind them.

A driver pulls out of a side road in front of you, causing you to brake hard. What should you do?

Ignore the error and stay calm

Sound your horn to show your annoyance

Overtake as soon as possible

Flash your lights to show your annoyance

Correct! Wrong!

Be tolerant if a vehicle emerges and you have to brake quickly. Anyone can make a mistake, so don’t react aggressively. Be alert where there are side roads and be especially careful where there are parked vehicles, because these can make it difficult for emerging drivers to see you.

Your motorway journey is boring and you feel drowsy. What should you do?

Slow down and let other drivers overtake

Stop on the hard shoulder for a sleep

Speed up to arrive at your destination sooner

Open a window and stop as soon as it’s safe and legal

Correct! Wrong!

Never stop on the hard shoulder to rest. If there’s no service area for several miles, leave the motorway at the next exit and find somewhere safe and legal to pull over.

You’re behind this cyclist. When the traffic lights change, what should you do?

Try to move off before the cyclist

Tap your horn and drive through first

Allow the cyclist time and room

Turn right but give the cyclist room

Correct! Wrong!

Hold back and allow the cyclist to move off. Some junctions have special areas marked across the front of the traffic lane. These allow cyclists to wait for the lights to change and move off ahead of other traffic.

What must you do at this junction?

Stop behind the line, then edge forward to see clearly

Stop beyond the line, at a point where you can see clearly

Stop only if you’re turning right

Stop only if there’s traffic on the main road

Correct! Wrong!

The ‘stop’ sign has been put here because the view into the main road is poor. You must stop because it won’t be possible to take proper observation while you’re moving.

You find that your eyesight has become very poor and your optician cannot help you. By law, who should you tell?

Another optician

The driver licensing authority

Your own doctor

The local police

Correct! Wrong!

Having very poor eyesight will have a serious effect on your ability to drive safely. If you can’t meet the driver’s eyesight requirements, you must tell DVLA (or DVA in Northern Ireland).

What should the white car do when the traffic lights change to green?

Move off quickly and turn in front of the cyclist

Sound their horn to warn the cyclist

Move up close to the cyclist to beat the lights

Wait for the cyclist to pull away

Correct! Wrong!

If you’re waiting at traffic lights, check all around you before you move away, as cyclists often filter through waiting traffic. Allow the cyclist to move off safely.

You find that you need glasses to read vehicle number plates at the required distance. When must you wear them?

Only in bad weather conditions

Only when you think it’s necessary

At all times when driving

Only in bad light or at night time

Correct! Wrong!

Have your eyesight tested before you start your practical training. Then, throughout your driving life, have checks periodically, as your vision may change

What should you do as you approach this overhead bridge?

Move out to the center of the road before going through

Find another route; this one is only for high vehicles

Be prepared to give way to large vehicles in the middle of the road

Move across to the right-hand side before going through

Correct! Wrong!

Oncoming large vehicles may need to move to the middle of the road to pass safely under the bridge. There won’t be enough room for you to continue, so you should be ready to stop and wait.

A slow-moving lorry showing this sign is travelling in the middle lane of a three-lane motorway. How should you pass it?

Approach with care and pass on the left of the lorry

Don’t pass the lorry and leave the motorway at the next exit

Cautiously approach the lorry, then pass on either side

Use the right-hand lane and pass the lorry normally

Correct! Wrong!

This sign is found on slow-moving or stationary works vehicles. If you wish to overtake, do so on the left, as indicated. Be aware that there might be workmen in the area.

You’ve been convicted of driving while unfit through drink or drugs. You’ll find this is likely to cause the cost of one of the following to rise considerably. Which one?

Insurance premiums

Vehicle test certificate

Driving licence

Road fund licence

Correct! Wrong!

You’ve shown that you’re a risk to yourself and others on the road. For this reason, insurance companies may charge you a higher premium.

You’re about to drive home. You can’t find the glasses you need to wear. What should you do?

Drive home slowly, keeping to quiet roads

Find a way of getting home without driving

Drive home at night, so that the lights will help you

Borrow a friend’s glasses and use those

Correct! Wrong!

If you need to wear glasses for driving, it’s illegal to drive without them. You must be able to see clearly when you’re driving.

What’s an effect of drinking alcohol?

Faster reactions

Greater awareness of danger

Poor judgement of speed

A loss of confidence

Correct! Wrong!

Alcohol will severely reduce your ability to drive or ride safely and there are serious consequences if you’re caught over the drink-drive limit. It’s known that alcohol can affect your judgement, cause overconfidence, and reduce coordination and control.

What should you do if you become tired while you’re driving on a motorway?

Pull up on the hard shoulder and change drivers

Increase your speed and turn up the radio volume

Leave the motorway at the next exit and rest

Close all your windows and set the heating to warm

Correct! Wrong!

If you feel yourself becoming tired or sleepy, you should leave the motorway at the next exit or services and stop for a rest. If you have to drive a long way, leave earlier and plan your journey to include rest stops. That way, you’re less likely to become tired while driving and you’ll still arrive in good time.

You’re approaching a crossroads. The traffic lights have failed. What should you do?

Brake and stop only for large vehicles

Brake sharply to a stop before looking

Be prepared to brake sharply to a stop

Be prepared to stop for any traffic

Correct! Wrong!

When approaching a junction where the traffic lights have failed, you should proceed with caution. Treat the situation as an unmarked junction and be prepared to stop.

You see this sign ahead. What should you expect?

The road will go steeply downhill

The road will go steeply uphill

The road will bend sharply to the left

The road will bend sharply to the right

Correct! Wrong!

This sign indicates that the road will bend sharply to the left. Slow down in plenty of time and select the correct gear before you start to turn. Braking hard and late, while also sharply changing direction, is likely to cause a skid.

What should the driver of the car approaching the crossing do?

Sound the horn

Slow down and get ready to stop

Continue at the same speed

Drive through quickly

Correct! Wrong!

Look well ahead to see whether any hazards are developing. This will give you more time to deal with them in the correct way. The man in the picture is clearly intending to cross the road. You should be travelling at a speed that allows you to check your mirror, slow down and stop in good time. You shouldn’t have to brake harshly.

How should you drive in areas with traffic-calming measures?

With headlights on dipped beam

In the center of the road

At a reduced speed

At the speed limit

Correct! Wrong!

Traffic-calming measures such as road humps, chicanes and narrowings are intended to slow drivers down to protect vulnerable road users. Don’t speed up until you reach the end of the traffic-calmed zone.

During periods of illness, your ability to drive may be impaired. What must you do?

Make sure you’re medically fit to drive

Take smaller doses of any medicines

Take all your medicines with you when you drive

See your doctor each time before you drive

Correct! Wrong!

Only drive if you’re fit to do so. Driving when you’re ill or taking some medicines can affect your concentration and judgement. It may also cause you to become drowsy or even fall asleep.

After passing your driving test, you suffer from ill health. This affects your driving. What must you do?

Inform the licensing authority

Inform your local police

Always drive accompanied

Avoid using motorways

Correct! Wrong!

You must tell DVLA (or DVA in Northern Ireland) if your health is likely to affect your ability to drive. The licensing authority will investigate your situation and then make a decision on whether or not to take away your licence.

You’re invited to a pub lunch. You know that you’ll have to drive in the evening. What’s your best course of action?

Avoid mixing your alcoholic drinks

Eat a hot meal with your alcoholic drinks

Don’t drink any alcohol at all

Have some milk before drinking alcohol

Correct! Wrong!

Alcohol will stay in your body for several hours and may make you unfit to drive later in the day. Drinking during the day will also affect your performance at work or study.

When driving a car fitted with automatic transmission, what would you use ‘kick down’ for?

Fuel economy

Slow braking

Quick acceleration

Cruise control

Correct! Wrong!

Kick down’ selects a lower gear, enabling the vehicle to accelerate faster.

What will be a serious distraction from driving?

Using your windscreen washers

Switching on your demister

Looking at road maps

Looking in your door mirror

Correct! Wrong!

Looking at road maps while driving is very dangerous. If you aren’t sure of your route, stop in a safe place and check the map. You must not allow anything to take your attention away from the road while you’re driving.

You’re on a dual carriageway. Ahead, you see a vehicle with an amber flashing light. What could this be?

A doctor on call

A fire engine

A disabled person’s vehicle

An ambulance

Correct! Wrong!

An amber flashing light on a vehicle indicates that it’s slow-moving. Battery-powered vehicles used by disabled people are limited to 8 mph. It isn’t advisable for them to be used on dual carriageways where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph. If they are, then an amber flashing light must be used.

Your doctor has given you a course of medicine. Why should you ask how it will affect you?

You’ll have to let your insurance company know about the medicine

The medicine you take may affect your hearing

Drugs make you a better driver by quickening your reactions

Some types of medicine can cause your reactions to slow down

Correct! Wrong!

Always check the label or information leaflet for any medication you take. The medicine might affect your driving. If you aren’t sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Which road user has caused a hazard?

The moving car (arrowed C)

The pedestrian waiting to cross (arrowed B)

The car turning (arrowed D)

The parked car (arrowed A)

Correct! Wrong!

The car arrowed A is parked within the area marked by zigzag lines at the pedestrian crossing. Parking here is illegal. It also blocks the view for pedestrians wishing to cross the road and restricts the view of the crossing for approaching traffic.

What can seriously affect your ability to concentrate?

Drugs

Tinted windows

Busy roads

Contact lenses

Correct! Wrong!

Both recreational drugs and prescribed medicine can affect your concentration. It’s also now an offence to drive with certain drugs in your body and a positive test could lead to a conviction.

What advice should you give to a driver who has had a few alcoholic drinks at a party?

Go home by public transport

Drive home carefully and slowly

Have a strong cup of coffee and then drive home

Wait a short while and then drive home

Correct! Wrong!

Drinking black coffee or waiting a few hours won’t make any difference. Alcohol takes time to leave the body. A driver who has been drinking should go home by public transport or taxi. They might even be unfit to drive the following morning.

You’re driving on a long journey. What can you do to help prevent tiredness?

Complete the journey without stopping

Take regular refreshment breaks

Play loud music in the car

Eat a large meal before driving

Correct! Wrong!

Long-distance driving can be boring. This, coupled with a stuffy, warm vehicle, can make you feel tired and sleepy. Make sure you take rest breaks to help you stay awake and alert. Stop in a safe place before you get to the stage of fighting sleep.

In what way are provisional car licence holders restricted?

They can’t drive without instructor

They can’t drive at more than 40 mph

They can’t carry passengers in the rear seats

They can’t drive between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am

Correct! Wrong!

A driver’s behaviour has upset you. What can you do to safely get over this incident?

Follow them, flashing your headlights

Gesture to them with your hand

Shout abusive language

Stop and take a break

Correct! Wrong!

If you feel yourself becoming tense or upset, stop in a safe place and take a break. Tiredness can make things worse and may cause a different reaction to upsetting situations.

What should you do if you begin to feel drowsy while you’re driving?

Turn the heater up to keep you warm and comfortable

Stop and rest as soon as possible

Close the car windows to help you concentrate

Continue with your journey but drive more slowly

Correct! Wrong!

You’ll be putting other road users at risk if you continue to drive when you’re drowsy. Pull over and stop in a safe place for a rest. Caffeinated drinks and a short nap can temporarily help counter sleepiness. If you’re driving a long distance, think about finding some accommodation so you can rest for longer before continuing your journey.

Why must you take extra care when turning right at this junction?

The footpaths are narrow

The view is restricted

The road markings are faint

The road surface is poor

Correct! Wrong!

You may have to pull forward slowly until you can see up and down the road. Be aware that the traffic approaching the junction can’t see you either. If you don’t know that it’s clear, don’t go.

Why should you be cautious when going past this stationary bus?

The road surface will be slippery

People may cross the road in front of it

There is traffic approaching in the distance

The driver may open the door

Correct! Wrong!

A stationary bus at a bus stop can hide pedestrians who might try to cross the road just in front of it. Drive at a speed that will enable you to respond safely if you have to.

You’ve been taking medicine that causes drowsiness. You begin to feel better, but you still need to take the medicine. What should you do about driving?

Avoid driving and check with your doctor

Ask someone to come with you

Only drive if your journey is necessary

Drive on quiet roads

Correct! Wrong!

You aren’t fit to drive if you’re taking medicine that makes you drowsy. Check with your doctor if you’re unsure. You mustn’t put other road users, your passengers or yourself at risk.

You think the driver of the vehicle in front has forgotten to cancel their right indicator. What should you do?

Overtake on the left if there’s room

Stay behind and don’t overtake

Sound your horn before overtaking

Flash your lights to alert the driver

Correct! Wrong!

Be cautious and don’t attempt to overtake. The driver may be unsure of the location of a junction and may turn suddenly.

Which of the following types of glasses shouldn’t be worn when driving at night?

Round

Tinted

Half-moon

Bifocal

Correct! Wrong!

If you’re driving at night or in poor visibility, tinted lenses will reduce the efficiency of your vision by reducing the amount of light reaching your eyes.

What’s the main hazard shown in this picture?

Vehicles turning right

Parked cars around the corner

The cyclist crossing the road

Vehicles doing U-turns

Correct! Wrong!

Look at the picture carefully and try to imagine you’re there. The cyclist in this picture appears to be trying to cross the road. You must be able to deal with the unexpected, especially when you’re approaching a hazardous junction. Look well ahead to give yourself time to deal with any hazards.

Why should the junction on the left be kept clear?

To allow vehicles to make a U-turn

To allow the bus to reverse

To allow vehicles to park

To allow vehicles to enter and emerge

Correct! Wrong!

You should always try to keep junctions clear. If you’re in queuing traffic, make sure that when you stop you leave enough space for traffic to flow into and out of the junction.

The red lights are flashing. What should you do when approaching this level crossing?

Go through carefully

Go through quickly

Stop before the barrier

Switch on hazard warning lights

Correct! Wrong!

At level crossings, the red lights flash before and while the barrier is down. At most crossings, an amber light will precede the red lights. You must stop behind the white line unless you’ve already crossed it when the amber light comes on. Never zigzag around half-barriers.

Why are place names painted on the road surface?

To warn you of oncoming traffic

To restrict the flow of traffic

To enable you to change lanes early

To prevent you changing lanes

Correct! Wrong!

The names of towns and cities may be painted on the road at busy junctions and complex road systems. Their purpose is to let you move into the correct lane in good time, allowing traffic to flow more freely.

You’re driving on this dual carriageway. Why may you need to slow down?

There are no footpaths

There’s a broken white line in the center

There are solid white lines on either side

There are roadworks ahead of you

Correct! Wrong!

Look well ahead and read any road signs as you drive. They’re there to inform you of what’s ahead. In this case, you may need to slow down and change direction. Check your mirrors so you know what’s happening around you before you change speed or direction.

Hazard Awareness 1

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