Practical Driving Test in UK / Hazard Awareness Category

Practical Driving Test in UK / Hazard Awareness Category

Topics include: 

• Anticipation - using forward planning in order to avoid rash, unsafe decisions
  
• Tiredness - knowing how tiredness can affect you whilst driving
  
• Attention - remaining alert and looking for problems ahead
  
• Reaction Time - understanding you need time to react
  
• Drugs and Alcohol - knowing how drugs and alcohol affect you when driving
  
• Hazard Awareness - recognizing potential hazards and how to deal with them
  
• Speed & Distance - understanding the correct speeds to use in all driving situations.

In general, whenever you drive towards a hazard you should reduce your speed. 

Hazards are anything that may make you slow down, change direction or stop. 

Again, if your stuck for an answer always select the safest option.

Alcohol

You can drink a small amount of alcohol and still legally drive. However, in the context of the theory test, no alcohol is always better, and the right answer when one of the options.

Drinking alcohol will give a driver 

• Less control
• A false sense of confidence
• Poor judgment of speed
• Reduced co-ordination
• Reduced concentration 
• Poor judgment
• Increased confidence 

Get a conviction for driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs and your car insurance premium will rise significantly.

Tiredness

When driving, if you start to feel tired you should always find a safe, convenient place to stop and rest. If no such place is immediately available you should open a window and allow a good supply of fresh air into the car.

On a long journey always take regular rest breaks. Regular stops help maintain concentration. 

When driving on a motorway if you start to feel tired you should leave the motorway at the next exit, find a safe place to stop and rest.

Illness

• If you have any illness that is likely to negatively affect your driving ability then don't drive.
  
• Taking a medicines that might impact negatively on your driving i.e. make you feel drowsy? Then consult your doctor to make sure you can safely drive.
  
• Always read the label of any medicine, even cough medicine.
  
• If you start to suffer from ill health, which affects your driving, you should inform the licensing authority. 

Concentration

Maintaining high levels of concentration is essential for road safety. Whenever a driver's concentration levels dip or are under threat they should stop and rest until they are capable of maintaining the high levels of concentration needed to drive safely.
Loss of concentration can be caused by:

• Looking at maps
• Listening to loud music
• Using a mobile phone
• Tiredness

To help you keep alert:

• Make sure you get plenty of fresh air, open a window. 
• Make regular stops for refreshments. 

Cyclists

• Give cyclists plenty of room. They may wobble or swerve to avoid drains or potholes.
• When travelling in slow traffic, before you turn left, check for cyclists filtering through the traffic on your left.
• At junctions or traffic lights give them time to turn or pull away.

Motorcyclists

Look out for motorcyclists, especially when you're:

• emerging from a junction
• turning into a road on your right
• changing lanes or moving out to overtake. 

Other Facts To Know

• A driver does something to upset you. You should try not to react, ignore the error and stay calm.
  
• A flashing amber beacon on a vehicle signifies that the vehicle is slow moving.
  
• If your eyesight becomes poor you should tell the licensing authority.
  
• An automatic car uses 'kick-down' for quick acceleration.
  
• In areas where there are traffic calming measures you should drive at a reduced speed.
  
• The only time you are permitted to use hazard warning lights while moving is if you are on a motorway or dual carriageway and you need to warn other road users of a hazard ahead.
  
• At a junction where the traffic lights have failed you should be prepared to stop for any traffic.
  
• Convex mirrors are slightly curved. This allows a wider field of vision.
  
• Low bridges - give way to buses and lorries when approaching them. In order to drive under the bridge tall vehicles will have to take up position in the centre of the road, as this is where the highest point of the bridge is.
  
• When following a cyclists be aware that the cyclist may swerve out into the road.
  
• An elderly person's driving ability could be affected because they are unable to react quickly. Be patient with them.
  
• On a long journey it is recommended that you take breaks of at least 15 minutes for every two hours of driving.
  
• At a junction where traffic lights have failed, you must be prepared to stop for any vehicle.
  
• When driving passed parked cars at the side of the road look out for car doors opening and children running into the road from between the parked cars.
  
• When approaching traffic calming measures you should reduce your speed.
  
• On a two-way road with three lanes, the middle lane is used for overtaking. If you intend to use the middle-lane to overtake be careful, an approaching vehicle may be about to also use the lane to overtake.
  
• Never overtake when your view ahead is blocked, when approaching a junction, when turning left shortly afterwards.
  
• Never reverse or do a u-turn in a one-way street.
  
• School buses may stop at places other than signed bus stops. 

This sign is found on slow-moving or stationary works vehicles. Overtake on the left, as indicated by the arrow. 
This sign on a vehicle indicates that the vehicle is a school bus.

These warning markers are fitted to vehicles over 13 metres long, large goods vehicles and rubbish skips placed in the road. 






This sign means a sharp deviation to the left (right if the arrows face right) 

DSA Theory Test Questions - Hazard Awareness Category 

1	How does alcohol affect you? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Concentration and good judgement are needed at all times to be a good, safe driver. Don�t put yourself or others at risk by drinking and driving.   It speeds up your reactions  It increases your awareness  It improves your co-ordination  It reduces your concentration
2	Which of the following types of glasses should NOT be worn when driving at night? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding If you are driving at night or in poor visibility, tinted lenses will reduce the efficiency of your vision, by reducing the amount of available light reaching your eyes.   Half-moon  Round  Bi-focal  Tinted
3	How will a school crossing patrol signal you to stop? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding If a school crossing patrol steps out into the road with a stop sign you must stop. Don�t wave anyone across the road and don�t get impatient or rev your engine.   By pointing to children on the opposite pavement  By displaying a red light  By displaying a stop sign  By giving you an arm signal
4	Why should you look particularly for motorcyclists and cyclists at junctions? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Cyclists and motorcyclists are smaller than other vehicles and so are more difficult to see. They can easily become hidden from your view by cars parked near a junction.   They may want to turn into the side road  They may slow down to let you turn  They are harder to see  They might not see you turn
5	You are waiting to come out of a side road. Why should you watch carefully for motorcycles? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding If you�re waiting to emerge from a side road watch out for motorcycles: they�re small and can be difficult to see. Be especially careful if there are parked vehicles restricting your view, there might be a motorcycle approaching. IF YOU DON�T KNOW, DON�T GO.   Motorcycles are usually faster than cars  Police patrols often use motorcycles  Motorcycles are small and hard to see  Motorcycles have right of way
6	You are following two cyclists. They approach a roundabout in the left-hand lane. In which direction should you expect the cyclists to go? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Cyclists approaching a roundabout in the left-hand lane may be turning right but may not have been able to get into the correct lane due to the heavy traffic. They may also feel safer keeping to the left all the way round the roundabout. Be aware of them and give them plenty of room.   Left  Right  Any direction  Straight ahead
7	There are flashing amber lights under a school warning sign. What action should you take? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding The flashing amber lights are switched on to warn you that children may be crossing near a school. Slow down and take extra care as you may have to stop.   Reduce speed until you are clear of the area  Keep up your speed and sound your horn  Increase your speed to clear the area quickly  Wait at the lights until they change to green
8	You are following a car driven by an elderly driver. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding You must show consideration to other road users. The reactions of older drivers may be slower and they might need more time to deal with a situation. Be tolerant and don�t lose patience or show your annoyance.   expect the driver to drive badly  flash your lights and overtake  be aware that the driver's reactions may not be as fast as yours  stay very close behind but be careful
9	Ahead of you there is a moving vehicle with a flashing amber beacon. This means it is Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding As you approach the vehicle, assess the situation. Due to its slow progress you will need to judge whether it is safe to overtake.   slow moving  broken down  a doctor's car  a school crossing patrol
10	You should never attempt to overtake a cyclist Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf you want to turn left and there�s a cyclist in front of you, hold back. Wait until the cyclist has passed the junction and then turn left behind them.   just before you turn left  on a left-hand bend  on a one-way street  on a dual carriageway
11	You see a pedestrian with a dog. The dog has a yellow or burgundy coat. This especially warns you that the pedestrian is Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Take extra care as the pedestrian may not be aware of vehicles approaching.   elderly  dog training  colour blind  deaf
12	You think the driver of the vehicle in front has forgotten to cancel their right indicator. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding The driver may be unsure of the location of a junction and turn suddenly. Be cautious and don�t attempt to overtake.   flash your lights to alert the driver  sound your horn before overtaking  overtake on the left if there is room  stay behind and not overtake
13	Why are mirrors often slightly curved (convex) Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Although a convex mirror gives a wide view of the scene behind, you should be aware that it will not show you everything behind or to the side of the vehicle. Before you move off you will need to check over your shoulder to look for anything not visible in the mirrors.   They give a wider field of vision  They totally cover blind spots  They make it easier to judge the speed of following traffic  They make following traffic look bigger
14	Why are place names painted on the road surface? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding 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.   To restrict the flow of traffic  To warn you of oncoming traffic  To enable you to change lanes early  To prevent you changing lanes
15	Some two-way roads are divided into three lanes. Why are these particularly dangerous? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding If you intend to overtake you must consider that approaching traffic could be planning the same manoeuvre. When you have considered the situation and have decided it is safe, indicate your intentions early. This will show the approaching traffic that you intend to pull out.   Traffic in both directions can use the middle lane to overtake  Traffic can travel faster in poor weather conditions  Traffic can overtake on the left  Traffic uses the middle lane for emergencies only
16	What does this signal from a police officer mean to oncoming traffic? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Police officers may need to direct traffic, for example, at a junction where the traffic lights have broken down. Check your copy of The Highway Code for the signals that they use.   Go ahead  Stop  Turn left  Turn right
17	You are invited to a pub lunch. You know you will have to drive in the evening. What is your best course of action? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Alcohol will stay in the 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.   Avoid mixing your alcoholic drinks  Not drink any alcohol at all  Have some milk before drinking alcohol  Eat a hot meal with your alcoholic drinks
18	You ar driving along a motorway and become tired. You should Mark TWO answers. Knowledge and Understanding If you have planned your journey properly, to include rest stops, you should arrive at your destination in good time.   stop at the next service area and rest  leave the motorway at the next exit and rest  increase your speed and turn up the radio volume  close all your windows and set heating to warm  pull up on the hard shoulder and change drivers
19	During periods of illness your ability to drive may be impaired. You must Mark TWO answers. Knowledge and Understanding Be responsible and only drive if you are fit to do so. Some medication can affect your concentration and judgement when dealing with hazards. It may also cause you to become drowsy or even fall asleep. Driving while taking such medication is highly dangerous.   see your doctor each time before you drive  only take smaller doses of any medicines  be medically fit to drive  not drive after taking certain medicines  tale all your medicines with you when you drive
20	You are about to drive home. You feel very tired and have a severe headache. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding All your concentration should be on your driving. Any pain you feel will distract you and you should avoid driving when drowsy. The safest course of action is to wait until you have rested and feel better.   wait until you are fit and well before driving  drive home, but take a tablet for headaches  drive home if you can stay awake for the journey  wait for a short time, then drive home slowly
21	What does the solid white line at the side of the road indicate? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding The continuous white line shows the edge of the carriageway. It can be especially useful when visibility is restricted, for example at night or in bad weather. It is discontinued where it crosses junctions, lay-bys etc.   Traffic lights ahead  Edge of the carriageway  Footpath on the left  Cycle path
22	You are approaching this cyclist. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Keep well back and allow the cyclist room to take up the correct position for the turn. Don�t get too close behind or try to squeeze past.   overtake before the cyclists gets to the junction  flash your headlights at the cyclist  slow down and allow the cyclist to turn  overtake the cyclist on the left-hand side
23	You have just been overtaken by this motorcyclist who is cutting in sharply. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding If another vehicle cuts in too sharply, ease off the accelerator and drop back to allow a safe separation distance. Try not to overreact by braking sharply or swerving, as you could lose control. If vehicles behind you are too close or unprepared, it could lead to a crash.   sound the horn  brake firmly  keep a safe gap  flash your lights
24	Why must you take extra care when turning right at the junction? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding 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.   Road surface is poor  Footpaths are narrow  Road markings are faint  There is reduced visibility
25	You are driving towards this level crossing. What would be the first warning of an approaching train? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding The steady amber light will be followed by twin flashing red lights that mean you must stop. An alarm will also sound to alert you to the fact that a train is approaching.   Both half barriers down  A steady amber light  One half barrier down  Twin flashing red lights
26	You are behind this cyclist. When the traffic lights change, what should you do? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Hold back and allow the cyclist to move off. In some towns, 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.   Try to move off before the cyclist  Allow the cyclists time and room  Turn right but give the cyclist room  Tap your horn and drive through first
27	While driving, you see this sign ahead. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Drive around the bend at a steady speed in the correct gear. Be aware that you might have to stop for approaching trains.   stop at the sign  slow, but continue around the bend  slow to a crawl and continue  stop and look for open farm gates
28	You intend to turn left at the traffic lights. Just before turning you should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Check your nearside for cyclists before moving away. This is especially important if you have been in a stationary queue of traffic and are about to move off, as cyclists often try to filter past on the nearside of stationary vehicles.   check your right mirror  move close up to the white car  straddle the lanes  check for bicycles on your left
29	You are driving along this road. The driver on the left is reversing from a driveway. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding White lights at the rear of a car show that it is about to reverse. Sound your horn to warn of your presence and reduce your speed as a precaution.   move to the opposite side of the road  drive through as you have priority  sound your horn and be prepared to stop  speed up and drive through quickly
30	You are driving on a road with several lanes. You see these signs above the lanes. What do they mean? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding If you see a red cross above your lane it means that there is an obstruction ahead. You will have to move into one of the lanes which is showing the green light. If all the lanes are showing a red cross, then you must stop.   The two right lanes are open  The two left lanes are open  Traffic in the left lanes should stop  Traffic in the right lanes should stop