Booking the test
When booking the test, choose a time that’s convenient for you and arrive early. Make sure your test won’t clash with school or work commitments, as you want to be able to focus on the test. A good time to book is Saturday morning. This time means you won’t have to worry about school or work and can take time to prepare without distraction. If you book a morning test, there will also be no pressure on you to finish before the testing facility closes.
Before the test
It’s important to get a good night’s sleep, stay hydrated, and make sure you eat before the test. Although not physically taxing, tests are often mentally draining and you want to be at your best to ensure you pass on the first go.
Make sure you’re aware of what you need to bring to the test and the test and licence fees you will have to pay. These administrative details can be found on the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) website.
Sitting the test
When you sit the test, try to remain calm. Using the Hazard Perception Test practice tests will have prepared you very well for the test.
When using the practice tests you would have been using a cursor and button below the video to indicate an action. It is important to note that there will not be a button to indicate an action - you will have to touch the area in which the video is playing. You will want to react quickly when you believe the relevant action should be taken. This will require you to have your hand ready to touch the screen. However, you want to cover as little of the screen as possible to ensure you can still accurately assess the footage and react appropriately. As such, it is recommended that you position your finger just over either the bottom left or right corner of the video area. This will allow you to react quickly when necessary, take in the complete scene and cover as little area as possible.
It is a requirement that you confirm whether or not you touched the screen after every clip. This confirmation is required because not all of the clips require a response. In some of the clips there is no appropriate time to react (a specific example would be overtaking cyclists on a narrow road while turning corners – don’t overtake!). When the test asks you to confirm whether or not you would’ve taken action during the clip it is not trying to make you question yourself. If an action is required it will be very obvious. Similarly, if no action is required it will be very obvious. If you touched the screen, confirm that you did. If you didn’t touch the screen, confirm that you didn’t.
Check out the other resources available to help you pass the Hazard Perception Test so you can take the Practical Driving Test:
For comprehensive information on the learner licence and Hazard Perception Test, please refer to the Roads and Maritime Services website. The above information is a summary of this content and although current when published may now be outdated. To ensure you are accessing the most current and accurate information, use the RMS website or visit your nearest Service NSW centre.
L Plates (Learners)
Red P Plates (P1)
Green P Plates (P2)
Full Licence