Theory test / Hazard awareness
Hazard awareness theory test questions
Up to date with the current Highway CodeLast reviewed October 2026
Hazard awareness questions test whether you can read a road scene and work out what is likely to happen next. A hazard is anything that might make you change speed, position or direction: a child near parked cars, a bus about to pull out, mud near a farm gate, a cyclist looking over their shoulder. The questions are less about remembering a number and more about choosing the response a careful driver would make before the situation turns into an emergency.
The Highway Code builds this into Rule 146: adapt your driving to the road you are on, do not treat speed limits as a target, and be prepared for the unexpected, such as the road being blocked beyond a blind bend. Rule 152 lists what to expect in residential streets (vehicles emerging, car doors opening, children running out between parked cars) and Rule 154 does the same for country roads (sharp bends, hidden junctions, horse riders, farm vehicles and mud). Rule 206 covers places where pedestrians appear suddenly, such as bus stops and ice cream vans.
Learners most often go wrong by picking an answer that reacts too late or too hard. Sounding the horn, braking sharply or overtaking to get past a problem are rarely the best choice. The answer the examiner wants is usually the one that slows you down early, gives you space and keeps your options open. Another common trap is assuming other road users will do what their signals say: Rule 170 warns that a vehicle signalling left may not actually turn, so wait until you are sure.
Your own condition is part of hazard awareness too. Rule 91 recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving and warns that natural alertness is lowest between midnight and 6 am. Rule 93 tells you to slow down, and stop if necessary, when dazzled by bright sunlight. Rule 149 bans using a hand-held phone while driving, and that includes when you are stopped in traffic.
Weather changes the picture. Rule 227 says stopping distances are at least double in the wet, Rule 230 says they can be ten times greater on ice, and Rule 226 says you must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see more than 100 metres. In fog, Rule 235 warns that the rear lights of the car in front can give a false sense of security, so keep a gap you could stop in.
Try 5 free questions
No account needed. Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
You are driving along a residential street lined with parked cars. A football bounces into the road ahead. What should you do?
The free questions with answers
1. You are driving along a residential street lined with parked cars. A football bounces into the road ahead. What should you do?
Answer: Slow down and be ready to stop for a child
A ball in the road often means a child is about to chase it out from between the parked cars. Rule 152 tells you to look out for children running out, so slow down early and be prepared to stop.
Highway Code rules 152, 205
2. A bus has stopped at a bus stop on your side of the road. What is the main hazard as you pass it?
Answer: People may step out from in front of the bus
Passengers who have just got off often cross in front of the bus, where you cannot see them. Rule 206 tells you to drive carefully and slowly past bus stops because pedestrians may emerge suddenly.
Highway Code rules 206, 223
3. On a country road you see fresh mud on the surface near a farm entrance. What should you expect?
Answer: A slow-moving farm vehicle pulling out
Mud near a gateway is a strong clue that tractors or other farm vehicles use it. Rule 154 tells you to be prepared for slow-moving farm vehicles and mud on country roads, and mud also reduces your grip.
Highway Code rule 154
4. An ice cream van is parked on the left with its chimes playing. Why should you drive slowly past it?
Answer: Children may run into the road without looking
Children heading for or leaving an ice cream van are focused on the van, not the traffic. Rule 206 picks out ice cream vans as a place where children may run into the road unexpectedly.
Highway Code rule 206
5. The cyclist ahead of you glances over their right shoulder. What does this most likely mean?
Answer: They may be about to pull out or turn right
A look over the shoulder is often the first sign that a rider is about to move out, turn right or change direction. Rule 212 says you should give them time and space to do so.
Highway Code rule 212
Questions people ask
- Is hazard awareness the same as the hazard perception test?
- No. Hazard awareness is one of the topics in the multiple choice part of the theory test. Hazard perception is the separate video part, where you click when you see a developing hazard in each clip.
- What is the best general answer to a hazard question?
- Look for the option that has you slowing down early and being ready to stop. Answers that rely on the horn, harsh braking or speeding up past the hazard are usually wrong.
- Which Highway Code rules matter most for this topic?
- Rules 146, 152 and 154 on adapting to the road, Rule 206 on places where pedestrians appear suddenly, and Rules 91 and 149 on tiredness and phones. Rules 226 to 235 cover weather.
- Does a 20 mph or 30 mph limit mean that speed is always safe?
- No. Rule 146 says a speed limit is not a target and it is often not safe to drive at the maximum. Parked cars, pedestrians or poor weather can all call for a lower speed.
Other theory test topics
Rule references: The Highway Code (GOV.UK), Open Government Licence v3.0. Questions and explanations are written by PassRank and are not the official DVSA revision questions.