The key difference between the restricted and the full licence test is hazard perception. 

A hazard is anything moving, or which might move, that you could collide with while doing a driving manoeuvre.

Hazards include:

• pedestrians
• other motor vehicles
• other road users, such as cyclists.

During the test you’ll be asked to say:

• the hazards you can see
• where the hazard is in relation to you
• what you’re doing about the hazard.

Example:

• You spot some oncoming traffic.
• You say to the testing officer ‘oncoming traffic’.
• You explain your response ‘keeping left to keep a safe distance’.

In the weeks before your test, practise talking about hazards while driving. Start as a passenger with a more experienced driver. Sit in the passenger seat and describe hazards you see and what you’d do about them.

When you’re more confident, try it as you’re driving.

Remember, it’s just a few simple words – don’t overdo the detail and don’t worry about using complete sentences.

Related driving skill: Scanning for hazards