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Hey everyone, all right, today we're tackling a part of the UK driving theory test that
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really, really stresses people out, the hazard perception test.
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But honestly, don't worry, by the time we're done with this, you're going to know exactly
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how this thing works, and more importantly, how to beat it.
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So let's dive right in and break it all down.
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So think about it for a second.
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If you're getting ready for your theory test, what's the one part that just feels weird,
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like a total mystery?
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You know, for most people, it's not the multiple choice stuff, it's not even remembering
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all the road signs.
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Now, it's that other part of the test, the one that feels completely unpredictable.
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Yep, you guessed it, it's that section that's basically a point-and-click video game.
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But here's the thing about this game, it has very, very specific rules.
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And just like any game, once you learn the rules, you can figure out how to win.
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So that's what we're going to do right now.
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We're going to break down the strategy.
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Okay, first up, spotting developing hazards.
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This is literally the one skill you need to master.
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And I'm not exaggerating the whole test every single point comes down to this one idea.
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If you can get your head around what a developing hazard is, you are pretty much halfway to
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passing.
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It's that important.
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So what is a developing hazard exactly?
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Well, the official definition is actually pretty simple.
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It's anything that would cause you the driver to take action.
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You know, things like changing your speed or changing your direction.
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So think about a pedestrian about to step into the road or a car that's starting to pull
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out of a side street.
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Basically, if it's going to make you hit the brakes or turn the wheel, it's a developing
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hazard.
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Let's look at a perfect example.
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See this?
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A parked car on the side of the road.
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It's just sitting there, not doing anything.
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That's not a hazard.
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It's just scenery.
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But now look at this other situation.
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The car's indicator starts flashing and it begins to pull out into your lane.
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See that?
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That is your developing hazard.
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That exact moment of change is when you'd have to react in a real car and that's the moment
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the test wants you to click.
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OK, part two, how scoring actually works.
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Let's get into the rules of the game.
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So you know what you're looking for now, but how does spotting these things actually turn
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into points?
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Because trust me, knowing the scoring system is just as crucial as spotting the hazards
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themselves.
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So, the test itself, it's made up of 14, just 14 video clips, and each one is going to
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show you a totally normal everyday road scene.
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The key thing is, it's filmed from the driver's point of view.
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So your job is to basically pretend you're the one behind the wheel.
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Now here is a really, really important tip.
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You have to be ready for this.
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Most of the clips will have just one developing hazard.
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But they throw in a little curveball.
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One of those 14 clips and you won't know which one actually has two developing hazards in
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it.
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So you can't relax.
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You've got to stay focused and alert through every single clip.
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So for each hazard you spot, what's the goal?
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Well, the top score you can get is five points.
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A maximum of five.
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But how do you get those five points?
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It's not just about spotting the hazard.
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It's about when you spot it.
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It is all about timing.
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This is the absolute key to the whole thing.
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To get that high score, you have to click the mouse as soon as you see the hazards starting
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to develop.
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Think of it like a scoring window that opens up.
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The instant that hazard begins, the window opens, and you can get five points.
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The longer you wait, the score drops.
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Four.
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Three.
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Two.
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If you wait too long in that window closes, you get a big fat zero.
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So yeah, timing is literally everything.
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Okay, so let's get into the nitty gritty of clicking strategy.
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Rule number one, obviously, click as soon as that hazard starts.
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But here's what not to do, and this is super important.
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Don't just start clicking like crazy or in some kind of pattern.
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The system is designed to detect that.
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It'll think you're cheating and it will just give you a zero for that entire clip.
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But, and this is great news, you don't lose points for a wrong click.
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So if you see something and you think it might be a hazard, it's okay to click once.
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No penalty.
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Just remember, you only get one shot at each clip.
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There are no do-overs.
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All right, final section, passing, and what's next.
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We're going to cover the results and your next steps.
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So you've done it, you've watched all the clips, you've clicked the mouse, and the test
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is over.
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Deep breath.
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So what happens now?
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Let's talk about the results and what they mean for you getting that driver's license.
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So the good thing is, you don't have to wait around.
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You get your results right there at the test center.
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Now remember, the whole theory test is split into two parts, and they're scored separately.
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For this hazard perception bit we've been talking about, the magic number you need to hit
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is 44.
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44 points out of a possible 75.
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That's your pass mark.
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Okay, and this is a huge point, so listen up.
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You have to pass both parts of the test to pass the whole thing.
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It's all or nothing.
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I mean, you can get a perfect score on the multiple choice questions.
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If you get 43 on the hazard perception, just one point below the pass mark, you fail
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the entire theory test.
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You've got to pass them both on the same day, no ifsands or buts.
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So let's break down the two possible outcomes.
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First the good one.
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If you pass, you'll get a pass certificate number, and that is your golden ticket.
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That number lets you book your practical driving test, and it's good for two whole years.
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Now on the other hand, if you fail, it's not the end of the world.
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You'll get a letter that tells you exactly which areas you need to practice, which is
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actually pretty helpful.
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You do have to wait at least three working days before you can retake it, and this is the
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annoying part, you have to book and pay for the full test all over again, both sections.
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And there you have it.
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That's the hazard perception test, totally demystify it.
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See, it's not about luck, it's a skill.
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It's just a game with a very clear set of rules, spot the developing hazard, click early,
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and score points.
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It's that simple.
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So now, you know the rules of the game, you know the strategy, the only real question left
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is, are you ready to play?