Learner driver and instructor preparing beside a parked learner car

Car study notes

Hazard Awareness

Spotting and reacting to developing hazards — children, cyclists, animals, weather and your own condition.

What this topic covers

Spotting and reacting to developing hazards — children, cyclists, animals, weather and your own condition. The full Car Driving Theory Test app contains 78 questions on this topic.

In the app's syllabus: Anticipation, Hazard awareness, Attention, Speed and distance, Reaction time, The effects of alcohol and drugs, Tiredness.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

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

A. Close all your windows and set the heating to warm
B. Increase your speed and turn up the radio volume
C. Leave the motorway at the next exit and rest ✓ correct
D. Pull up on the hard shoulder and change drivers

Explanation: 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.

Example 2

What will become more expensive after you've been convicted of driving while unfit through drink or drugs?

A. Driving licence
B. Vehicle test certificate
C. Insurance premiums ✓ correct
D. Road fund licence

Explanation: 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.

Example 3

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

A. Stay behind and do not overtake ✓ correct
B. Overtake on the left if there's room
C. Sound your horn before overtaking
D. Flash your lights to alert the driver

Explanation: Be cautious and do not attempt to overtake. The driver may be unsure of the location of a junction and may turn suddenly.

Example 4

What type of vehicle could you expect to meet in the middle of the road?

A. Motorcycle
B. Car
C. Bicycle
D. Lorry ✓ correct

Explanation: The highest point of the bridge is in the centre, so a large vehicle might have to move to the centre of the road to have enough room to pass safely under the bridge.

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More Car study notes

Get all 78 questions on this topic in the Car Driving Theory Test app.