DVSA Hazard Perception 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What hazard should you expect when passing a school during opening or closing times?
- Roadworks
- Children crossing unexpectedly, parents parking erratically, and school buses stopping (Correct answer)
- Speed cameras only
- No particular hazard
Correct answer: Children crossing unexpectedly, parents parking erratically, and school buses stopping
Near schools at peak times, expect children running into the road, parents double-parking, school buses stopping, lollipop patrol officers, and general congestion. Reduce speed, scan carefully, and be prepared to stop at any moment.
Question 2: What should you look for at traffic light-controlled junctions?
- Only the colour of the lights
- Vehicles running red lights, pedestrians crossing, cyclists in advanced stop lines, and turning traffic (Correct answer)
- Only vehicles ahead
- Only road markings
Correct answer: Vehicles running red lights, pedestrians crossing, cyclists in advanced stop lines, and turning traffic
Even when you have a green light, scan for vehicles that may run a red light from crossing roads, pedestrians who started crossing during their phase, cyclists waiting in advanced stop lines, and vehicles turning across your path. A green light means proceed with caution, not that it is guaranteed safe.
Question 3: How should you deal with a cyclist on a roundabout?
- Overtake them quickly to get past
- Give them plenty of room, do not cut across them, and anticipate they may not signal (Correct answer)
- Sound your horn to alert them
- Stay behind them until they leave the roundabout
Correct answer: Give them plenty of room, do not cut across them, and anticipate they may not signal
Cyclists on roundabouts may need to change lanes and may not always signal. They may stay in the left lane even when turning right. Give them plenty of room, do not overtake within the roundabout if it means cutting across them, and watch for their hand signals.
Question 4: What is the hazard perception risk when driving in bright sunshine?
- None — good weather improves driving conditions
- Sun glare can temporarily blind you, and shadows can hide hazards (Correct answer)
- Only the risk of overheating the engine
- Only affecting drivers with poor eyesight
Correct answer: Sun glare can temporarily blind you, and shadows can hide hazards
Low sun can cause severe glare, especially at dawn and dusk, temporarily blinding you to hazards. Deep shadows cast by buildings and trees can hide pedestrians and cyclists. Use your sun visor and sunglasses, reduce speed, and leave extra distance.
Question 5: When driving on a country road, what specific hazards should you scan for?
- Traffic lights and speed cameras
- Slow-moving farm vehicles, animals in the road, sharp bends, narrow sections, and pedestrians without pavements (Correct answer)
- Only oncoming traffic
- Motorway slip roads
Correct answer: Slow-moving farm vehicles, animals in the road, sharp bends, narrow sections, and pedestrians without pavements
Country roads present unique hazards: tractors and farm machinery moving slowly, livestock or wild animals crossing, hidden bends and dips, narrow single-track sections, pedestrians walking in the road (no pavements), mud on the road, and limited visibility due to hedgerows.
Question 6: Why should you increase your following distance in foggy conditions?
- Because your speedometer does not work in fog
- Because fog dramatically reduces visibility, making it harder to see brake lights and hazards, and stopping distances are affected by damp roads (Correct answer)
- Because the speed limit is lower in fog
- Because your indicators are less visible in fog
Correct answer: Because fog dramatically reduces visibility, making it harder to see brake lights and hazards, and stopping distances are affected by damp roads
In fog, you may not see the vehicle ahead braking until very late. The road surface may also be damp, increasing stopping distances. Use dipped headlights (and fog lights if visibility is below 100 metres), reduce speed, and increase your following distance significantly.
DVSA Hazard Perception 3
What hazard should you expect when passing a school during opening or closing times?