Video Scenarios
The test presents 25 short clips based on everyday driving situations.
Victorian Learner Driver Resource
Hazard Perception Test Guide Victoria
Learn how the Victorian Hazard Perception Test works, what the video scenarios assess and how to improve your ability to identify and respond to developing road hazards.
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25 video scenarios explained
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Official practice links
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Practical hazard-response tips
Minutes Maximum
Allow up to approximately 45 minutes to complete the test.
Official Practice Tests
Transport Victoria provides nine free online practice tests.
Understanding the Assessment
What Is the Hazard Perception Test?
The Hazard Perception Test, commonly called the HPT, is an online assessment that checks how well you recognise and respond to potential road hazards.
During the test, you view short video clips filmed from a driver’s perspective. You must decide whether it is safe to take an action, whether you should slow down or stop, or whether maintaining your current speed is the safest response.
The test focuses on judgement and timing rather than your ability to memorise road-rule questions.
Continue to the VicRoads Drive Test Guide →
Why the Test Matters
Hazard Perception Is a Critical Driving Skill
Safe drivers do not only react to danger. They continuously scan, predict and adjust so that dangerous situations are less likely to develop.
Improves Observation
Hazard perception encourages you to look beyond the vehicle immediately ahead and scan the wider road environment.
Creates More Response Time
Identifying danger early gives you more time to reduce speed, change position or prepare to stop.
Supports Safe Gaps
Good hazard awareness helps you choose safer gaps when turning, crossing traffic, merging and changing lanes.
Reduces Collision Risk
Early recognition allows smoother and safer responses before a situation becomes an emergency.
Before You Begin
Who Needs to Take the HPT?
Learner drivers progressing to a Victorian probationary car licence generally need to pass the Hazard Perception Test before attending the practical Drive Test.
Victorian Learner Drivers
Learners preparing to progress from their Ls to their Ps generally need to complete the HPT.
Eligible Age
Applicants can generally undertake the HPT from 17 years and 11 months of age, subject to current VicRoads conditions.
Before the Drive Test
The HPT must be completed and passed before you sit the practical VicRoads Drive Test.
Other Licence Holders
Interstate, overseas and other applicants may have different requirements depending on their licence history.
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Visit Official VicRoads HPT Page ↗
Check Your Personal Requirements
Eligibility and testing requirements may differ for overseas licence holders, interstate applicants and people with previous licensing history.
Step-by-Step Process
How to Complete the Hazard Perception Test
The online process is completed through your myVicRoads account. Prepare your device, internet connection and testing environment before starting.
Account
Sign In to myVicRoads
Access your myVicRoads account and locate the Hazard Perception Test under the relevant licence and permit services.
Preparation
Complete Practice Tests
Use the official practice scenarios to become familiar with the video format and the types of decisions you may need to make.
Environment
Choose a Suitable Location
Sit somewhere quiet with a reliable internet connection and a screen that allows you to clearly see small road details.
Instructions
Complete the Introduction
Read the instructions carefully and understand how to respond before beginning the assessed video clips.
Assessment
Watch and Respond to 25 Clips
View each driving situation and respond when you believe a safe driving action should occur.
Result
Receive Your Test Outcome
Once the test is completed, you will be advised whether you passed and can continue preparing for the Drive Test.
Test Format
What Happens in the Video Scenarios?
Each scenario shows a real or simulated road environment from the driver’s point of view. The situation may include traffic, intersections, pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles or changing road conditions.
You may need to indicate when it is safe to act or when a hazard requires a change in speed or position.
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Slow Down
Respond when a developing risk means the vehicle should reduce speed.
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Stop
Respond when continuing would be unsafe because of traffic, a pedestrian or another hazard.
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Maintain Speed
Avoid unnecessary action where the current speed remains safe and appropriate.
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Take an Opportunity
Identify when a safe gap exists to turn, cross or enter traffic.
Developing Hazards
Hazards You Should Learn to Recognise
A hazard is anything that may require you to change speed, direction or road position to remain safe.
Pedestrians
People approaching crossings, stepping between parked vehicles or moving near the road edge.
Cyclists
Cyclists changing position, passing parked vehicles or travelling near turning traffic.
Turning Vehicles
Vehicles waiting to enter, cross or turn through your intended path.
Large Vehicles
Buses, trucks and other vehicles that restrict visibility or need additional space to turn.
Intersections
Traffic lights, give-way situations, blocked views and vehicles approaching from multiple directions.
Parked Vehicles
Doors opening, vehicles moving away or pedestrians emerging from hidden positions.
Weather Conditions
Rain, glare, fog, low light and reduced visibility that affect stopping distance and observation.
Changing Road Conditions
Roadworks, narrow lanes, merging traffic, damaged surfaces and unexpected obstructions.
Understanding Risk
Potential Hazard vs Developing Hazard
Not every object or road user requires an immediate response. The important skill is recognising when a potential risk begins to develop into a situation requiring action.
A Risk That Might Develop
A person standing near a crossing, a vehicle waiting at a side road or a cyclist riding near parked cars may create future risk.
Example
A pedestrian is standing on the footpath but is not moving towards the road.
A Risk Requiring a Response
The situation changes and now affects your safe path, speed or stopping distance.
Example
The pedestrian turns towards the road and begins stepping onto the crossing.
Practical Observation Method
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Use the Scan, Predict and Respond Method
This simple method can help you practise hazard perception during normal driving lessons and supervised practice.
Scan
Look far ahead, near the vehicle, into side roads and through gaps where hazards may appear.
Identify
Notice road users, objects and conditions that could affect your intended path.
Predict
Consider what each road user might do next and whether the situation is changing.
Respond
Adjust speed, road position or following distance before the hazard becomes urgent.
Official Practice
Open Official Practice Tests
Complete the Free Victorian Practice Tests
Transport Victoria provides nine free practice tests that are designed to look and operate similarly to the official HPT.
Use the practice tests to become familiar with the interface, but do not focus only on remembering individual clips. The actual assessment may present different situations.
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Free online access
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Video-based scenarios
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Suburban driving situations
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City driving scenarios
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Country-road situations
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Official Victorian resource
Preparation Strategy
How to Prepare for the HPT
Strong preparation combines official online practice with real supervised driving experience.
Gain Real Driving Experience
Practise in traffic, quiet streets, busy intersections, rain, darkness and different speed zones.
Practise Looking Further Ahead
Avoid focusing only on the car in front. Scan for traffic lights, side roads, pedestrians and changing conditions.
Talk Through Hazards
During supervised practice, identify potential hazards aloud and explain what response may become necessary.
Review Following Distance
Maintaining an adequate safety gap gives you more time to respond when traffic conditions change.
Use Official Practice Tests
Complete the free Victorian scenarios and learn how the response system works.
Take Professional Lessons
An instructor can help identify observation problems that may be difficult for a learner to recognise independently.
Avoid These Problems
Common HPT Mistakes
Many errors occur because applicants react automatically without first understanding how the situation is developing.
Responding Too Early
Clicking before a safe gap or developing hazard can be clearly identified.
Responding Too Late
Waiting until danger is immediate instead of recognising the earlier developing clues.
Clicking Repeatedly
Making multiple random responses rather than selecting the most appropriate moment.
Watching Only One Area
Focusing only on the centre of the screen and missing side roads, pedestrians or vehicles near the edge.
Assuming Every Situation Is Dangerous
Slowing or stopping unnecessarily when maintaining speed is the appropriate response.
Memorising Practice Clips
Remembering a familiar video instead of analysing the actual road situation being presented.
Ignoring Hidden Areas
Missing risks behind parked vehicles, large vehicles, vegetation or visual obstructions.
Using a Small or Unclear Screen
Attempting the test on a device where important details are difficult to see.
Response Timing
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How to Choose the Right Moment
Focus on changes in movement and behaviour. A developing hazard usually becomes clearer when another road user starts moving, changes direction or enters a position that affects your path.
Watch for Movement
A pedestrian turning towards the road or a vehicle beginning to move may signal developing danger.
Notice Reduced Space
A narrowing gap or blocked path may require an earlier speed adjustment.
Consider Stopping Distance
Respond early enough that a safe driver could slow or stop smoothly.
Avoid Rushed Decisions
Do not act merely because the video has been playing for a certain amount of time.
Before Starting Online
Prepare Your Device and Environment
Technical distractions can make it harder to concentrate on the road scenarios.
Use a Clear Screen
A desktop, laptop or suitably sized device can make small road details easier to identify.
Check Your Internet
Use a reliable connection to reduce interruptions while video scenarios are loading or playing.
Connect Your Charger
Ensure your device has sufficient power for the full assessment.
Remove Distractions
Silence notifications, close unrelated applications and choose a quiet room.
Use Required Glasses
Wear your normal corrective lenses where required to clearly view the scenarios.
Allow Enough Time
Do not begin when you are rushed, tired or likely to be interrupted.
Apply It on the Road
Online Practice Is Only Part of the Preparation
Hazard-perception skills develop through experience. Professional driving lessons allow you to practise identifying hazards while controlling a real vehicle in changing traffic conditions.
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Scanning intersections and side roads
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Anticipating pedestrian movement
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Managing safe following distances
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Adjusting speed before hazards
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Choosing safe turning gaps
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Responding to cyclists and parked vehicles
Next Step
What Happens After You Pass the HPT?
Passing the HPT allows you to continue towards your practical Victorian Drive Test once all other eligibility requirements have been satisfied.
Confirm Your Driving Hours
Ensure your required supervised hours and night-driving hours are completed and correctly declared where applicable.
Check Your Learner Period
Confirm that you have held your learner permit for the minimum period required for your age.
Book Your Drive Test
Choose an appropriate VicRoads testing location and appointment date.
Complete Test Preparation
Practise independent driving, observation, manoeuvres, speed management and safe gap selection.
Take a Mock Test
Use a realistic assessment to identify repeated errors before the official appointment.
Arrange a Test Vehicle
Confirm that you have a suitable vehicle available for the practical Drive Test.
Prepare for the Practical Test
View Mock Driving Test
Complete a Mock Driving Test
After passing your HPT, a mock driving test can assess how well you apply observation, hazard response and safe decision-making in actual traffic.
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Realistic test-style assessment
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Observation and head-check review
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Speed and road-position assessment
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Hazard-response evaluation
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Detailed instructor feedback
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Test-readiness recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions
Hazard Perception Test FAQs
Common questions about the Victorian HPT, practice tests and next licensing steps.
How many videos are in the Victorian Hazard Perception Test? +
The Victorian HPT contains 25 short video scenarios showing different road and traffic situations.
How long does the HPT take? +
The test may take up to approximately 45 minutes. Allow additional uninterrupted time to sign in, review instructions and resolve any technical issues.
Do I need to pass the HPT before the Drive Test? +
Yes. Victorian learner drivers generally need to pass the Hazard Perception Test before attending the practical Drive Test.
Can I take the HPT online? +
Yes. Eligible applicants can access the online HPT through their myVicRoads account.
Are there official practice tests? +
Yes. Transport Victoria provides nine free online practice tests featuring simulated driving videos from suburban, city and country-road environments.
Should I click whenever I see a hazard? +
No. You need to distinguish between a potential hazard and a developing hazard. Respond when the situation begins to require a driving action, not merely because an object or road user is visible.
Can I click more than once in each video? +
Follow the official instructions provided during the test. Random or repeated clicking is not a substitute for choosing an appropriate response moment.
What happens if I do not pass? +
You will need to complete another attempt after meeting the relevant rebooking and payment requirements. Review official practice scenarios and improve your real-world observation before trying again.
Does passing the HPT mean I am ready for the Drive Test? +
Not necessarily. The HPT assesses hazard judgement through video scenarios. The practical Drive Test also assesses vehicle control, observation, road position, speed management and independent driving.
Can driving lessons help with hazard perception? +
Yes. Professional lessons allow learners to practise scanning, predicting hazards, selecting safe gaps and responding smoothly in real traffic conditions.
Build Real Hazard Awareness
Learn to Identify Risks Before They Become Emergencies
Book a professional automatic driving lesson with Advice Driving School.