Changes to the hazard perception test

On Monday 29 March 2021, we released a new hazard perception test to improve the road safety knowledge of some of our most at-risk groups. Good hazard perception can be the difference in avoiding a crash.

The changes include:

all learner licence holders will be required to pass the test before upgrading their licence
introducing a hazard perception test for motorcycle learner licence holders
improving the quality of the test clips with new computer-generated images.

Find out how the changes will affect you or the licence you want to apply for:

Learner licence
P1 licence
Motorcycle learner licence

Learner licence

From Monday 29 March 2021 all learner licence holders must pass the hazard perception test before upgrading their licence.

Once you have completed PrepL and have your learner licence, you will have to complete the following licence requirements to upgrade to unsupervised driving:

Hazard perception test
Learner logbook (for learner licence holders under 25 years)
Practical driving test

Before Thursday 1 July 2021 you can take the hazard perception test before or after your practical driving test.

Once you pass your driving test you'll be keen to upgrade your licence.

You can upgrade your licence on the same day as your driving test if:

You have passed the hazard perception test before your driving test.

and

The transport and motoring customer service centre is open for business after your driving test.

You'll need to come back another day to upgrade if:

You have not passed the hazard perception test before your driving test.

The transport and motoring customer service centre is not open for business after your driving test.

From Thursday 1 July 2021, you will need to pass the hazard perception test before you can take your practical driving test.

You will be eligible to take the hazard perception test after you've held your learner licence for 6 months. We'll send you an email to let you know when you can take the test.

P1 licence

If you were issued a P1 licence before Monday 29 March, you are required to pass the hazard perception test before you can upgrade to a P2 or Open licence.

You need to hold your P1 licence for a minimum of 12 months before you will be eligible to take the hazard perception test. If you have an email address registered with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, we'll send you an email to let you know when you can take the hazard perception test.

Motorcycle learner licence

We have introduced a hazard perception test for motorcycle riders.

From Monday 29 March 2021, all motorcycle learner licence holders must pass the motorcycle hazard perception test before upgrading their licence.

Before Thursday 1 July 2021 you can choose to take the hazard perception test before or after your Q-Ride RE Course or RE practical riding test.

From Thursday 1 July 2021, you will need to pass the hazard perception test before you take the Q-Ride RE Course or RE practical riding test.

We recommend you get as much supervised practise in as possible, but you can take the hazard perception test at any time during your learner period. The Q-Ride RE Course or RE practical driving test can only be taken after you have held your learner licence for 3 months.

Changes to the hazard perception test

The hazard perception test was originally introduced in 2008 and featured real life footage containing hazards. This test has been a useful road safety tool, but it was time to modernise it. As part of a national project we've created brand new 3D computer generated situations showing hazards in each video.