---
title: "Hazard Awareness: Spotting Hazards, Drink & Drugs"
url: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/theory-test/hazard-awareness/
updated: 2026-09-26
---

> Source: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/theory-test/hazard-awareness/ — last reviewed 2026-09-26. Markdown version generated at build time from the same content the page serves.

DVSA theory test topic guide

# Hazard Awareness: Spotting Hazards, Drink & Drugs

Spotting developing hazards early — the skill the hazard perception clips score.

[Practise 54 Hazard Awareness questions](/theory-test/hazard-awareness/practice-test/)

Quick answer

How Hazard Awareness questions test anticipation: developing hazards, road clues, vulnerable road users, alcohol, drugs, medicines and tiredness.

## What does the Hazard Awareness topic test?

Hazard Awareness questions test anticipation: reading clues in the road scene, adjusting your speed for what you cannot yet see, and recognising when you are the hazard because of alcohol, drugs, medicine or tiredness. It is the written partner to the hazard perception video test, and both reward spotting trouble early.

The questions lean on Highway Code rules 95 and 96 (alcohol and drugs), 126 and 154 (stopping within the distance you can see), 146 (adapting to the road) and 204 to 210 (pedestrians most at risk).

## What is a developing hazard?

A developing hazard is something that would make you take action, such as changing speed or direction. That is the definition GOV.UK uses for the hazard perception test. A parked car doing nothing is not a developing hazard, but the same car signalling right and starting to pull out is, because you would need to slow down.

The difference matters in both parts of the test. A static feature, such as a junction, a bend or a parked lorry, is a clue that tells you where a hazard could come from. It becomes a developing hazard only when something starts to happen that needs a response from you.

In the video test you watch 14 clips, each with at least one developing hazard and one with two. You can score up to 5 points per hazard, but clicking continuously or in a pattern scores nothing.

## Which clues warn you that a hazard is about to develop?

Clues are details that tell you what might happen next: a ball in the road, a school sign, an ice-cream van, a bus at a stop, or a large vehicle positioning for a turn. When you spot one, check your mirrors, ease off and be ready to stop before the hazard actually appears.

| Clue | What might happen | Highway Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ball or toy rolling into the road | A child runs out after it | Rules 205 and 206 |
| Parked ice-cream van | Children cross without looking | Rule 206 |
| Bus or tram at a stop | Passengers step out to cross | Rules 206 and 223 |
| School sign with flashing amber lights | Children crossing ahead | Rule 208 |
| Stationary bus showing a School Bus sign | Children getting on or off | Rule 209 |
| Rows of parked cars in a residential street | Doors opening, cars moving off, children stepping out | Rule 152 |
| Large vehicle moving out before a left turn | It may need the whole width of the road | Rules 170 and 221 |
| Pedestrian looking the other way | They step out without seeing you | Rule 146 |

If a school crossing patrol shows a “Stop for children” sign, you must stop (rules 105 and 210).

## How fast should you drive when you cannot see what is ahead?

Drive at a speed that lets you stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. Rule 126 sets that standard, and rule 154 repeats it for country roads, where bends can be sharper than they look and junctions may be hidden. The speed limit is a maximum, not a target, as rules 125 and 146 make clear.

Why it matters so much near people: rule 207 says that at 40 mph your vehicle will probably kill any pedestrian it hits, while at 20 mph there is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed.

On country roads, rule 154 tells you to expect pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, slow farm vehicles and mud on the road. Rule 146 adds the example of a road blocked beyond a blind bend, and says to look out for unmarked junctions where nobody has priority.

## Which road users are most likely to create a sudden hazard?

Children, older people, disabled people, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders are the road users most at risk, and the most likely to appear or change direction suddenly. Rule 204 names them, and rule 205 warns that children in particular may step into the road without warning. Give them extra time, extra space and lower speed.

Specific behaviours to anticipate:

-   **Cyclists and motorcyclists** may swerve suddenly to avoid drain covers, uneven surfaces or oily, wet or icy patches (rule 213).
-   **A rider looking over their shoulder** may be about to pull out, turn right or change direction (rule 212).
-   **Horses** can be startled and move quickly. Slow to a maximum of 10 mph and pass wide (rule 215).
-   **Blind or partially sighted people** may carry a white cane or use a guide dog, and may not see you coming (rule 207).

## How do alcohol, drugs, medicines and tiredness affect your driving?

They all make you slower to spot and react to hazards. Rule 95 says alcohol gives a false sense of confidence, slows reactions and affects judgement of speed, distance and risk, even below the legal limit. Rule 96 says the effects of illegal drugs are unpredictable and can be even more severe than alcohol.

What the law says:

-   **Drink-drive limits:** in England and Wales, 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath or 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood. In Scotland, 22 and 50. Alcohol can still affect you the morning after drinking the previous evening.
-   **Drugs:** it is illegal to drive while unfit through legal or illegal drugs, or with certain illegal drugs in your blood above specified limits, even if your driving seems unaffected. GOV.UK says a conviction brings a minimum one-year ban.
-   **Medicines:** check with your doctor or pharmacist and do not drive if told you may be impaired.
-   **Tiredness:** rule 91 recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours, and avoiding long journeys between midnight and 6 am.

## What mistakes do learners make on hazard awareness questions?

The biggest mistake is reacting to the hazard you can see instead of the one that clue predicts. A ball, a bus or a school sign is a warning about people you cannot see yet. Learners also underestimate how much a small drink, a cold remedy or a late night affects their ability to spot danger.

-   **Swerving round the ball.** The real hazard is the child who may follow it.
-   **Treating the limit as a safe speed.** Stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
-   **“Below the limit means unaffected.”** Rule 95 says any alcohol reduces your driving ability.
-   **“Prescribed means safe to drive.”** Ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
-   **Sounding the horn at a horse.** Rule 215 says do not sound your horn or rev your engine; slow down and pass wide and slow.
-   **Overtaking near a school crossing patrol.** Rule 167 says do not overtake when approaching one.

## Where should you go next?

Put this into practice with the [Hazard Awareness practice test](/theory-test/hazard-awareness/practice-test/), then read our [hazard perception guide](/hazard-perception/) for the video half of the test. Related topics worth revising next are [Vulnerable Road Users](/theory-test/vulnerable-road-users/) and [Alertness](/theory-test/alertness/). Finish with a full [mock theory test](/mock-theory-test/) or pick another topic from the [theory test hub](/theory-test/).

## Ready to test yourself on Hazard Awareness?

54 free Hazard Awareness questions in the official four-option format, each with an explained answer and the Highway Code rule it tests — with a timed test mode.

[Start the Hazard Awareness practice test](/theory-test/hazard-awareness/practice-test/)

## Frequently asked questions

**### What is a developing hazard?**

GOV.UK defines a developing hazard as something that would cause you to take action, such as changing speed or direction. A car parked at the roadside is not one, but if its right indicator starts flashing and it begins to pull out, you would need to slow down, so it becomes a developing hazard.

**### Is Hazard Awareness the same as the hazard perception test?**

No. Hazard Awareness is one of the multiple-choice topics, testing anticipation in written questions. The hazard perception part is a separate video test of 14 clips, scored out of 75 with a pass mark of 44. You must pass both parts, and the multiple-choice pass mark is 43 out of 50.

**### What is the drink-drive limit in the UK?**

In England and Wales the limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, or 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood. Scotland is lower, at 22 and 50. Rule 95 says any amount of alcohol affects your driving, so the safest choice is not to drink at all.

**### Can you drive after taking prescribed or over-the-counter medicine?**

Only if it does not impair you. Rule 96 says you must not drive under the influence of drugs or medicine, and that you should check with your doctor or pharmacist and not drive if told you may be impaired. Annex 8 reminds new drivers that even over-the-counter medicines can affect driving.

**### Why should you slow down near a parked ice-cream van or bus stop?**

Rule 206 warns that children may run into the road near ice-cream vans because they are more interested in ice cream than traffic, and that pedestrians may step out suddenly near bus and tram stops. Slowing down gives you time to stop if someone appears from behind the vehicle.

Sources

-   [GOV.UK — Theory test: hazard perception test](https://www.gov.uk/theory-test/hazard-perception-test)
-   [The Highway Code — Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/road-users-requiring-extra-care-204-to-225)
-   [The Highway Code — General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158)
-   [The Highway Code — Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-drivers-and-motorcyclists-89-to-102)
-   [GOV.UK — The drink drive limit](https://www.gov.uk/drink-drive-limit)
-   [GOV.UK — Drugs and driving: the law](https://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law)

Sources last checked on 26 September 2026. Found an error? Email us — fixes are logged on our [corrections page](/corrections/).

## Which other theory test topics should you revise?

All 14 topics feed the same 50-question test, so revise every one. Then sit the [full free mock theory test](/mock-theory-test/) under the real time limit.

-   [Alertness](/theory-test/alertness/)
-   [Attitude](/theory-test/attitude/)
-   [Essential Documents](/theory-test/essential-documents/)
-   [Incidents, Accidents & Emergencies](/theory-test/incidents-accidents-emergencies/)
-   [Motorway Rules](/theory-test/motorway-rules/)
-   [Other Types of Vehicle](/theory-test/other-types-of-vehicle/)
-   [Road & Traffic Signs](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/)
-   [Rules of the Road](/theory-test/rules-of-the-road/)
-   [Safety & Your Vehicle](/theory-test/safety-and-your-vehicle/)
-   [Safety Margins](/theory-test/safety-margins/)
-   [Vehicle Handling](/theory-test/vehicle-handling/)
-   [Vehicle Loading](/theory-test/vehicle-loading/)
-   [Vulnerable Road Users](/theory-test/vulnerable-road-users/)