Photo: Nick-D, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Every ACT learner whose licence was issued or renewed after 1 January 2020 must pass the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) before getting their Ps. You take it online, at home, any time after 3 months on your Ls, and your first attempt is free. This guide covers the format, what happens if you fail and how to prepare.
ACT Hazard Perception Test at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Online at safeplatestesting.act.gov.au |
| When | After you have held your ACT learner licence for at least 3 months |
| Format | 25 videos of about 15 seconds each |
| Time | About 20 to 30 minutes |
| Cost | First attempt free; $30.00 for each later attempt (from 1 July 2026) |
| After a first fail | 24-hour lockout |
| After a second fail | 3-day lockout |
| Expiry | A pass does not expire |
What you need to take the test
- Your name and ACT learner licence number.
- A stable internet connection.
- 20 to 30 uninterrupted minutes. The test times out after 10 minutes of inactivity, and a time-out counts as a failed attempt.
- The biggest screen you can use. A phone works, but hazards are easier to spot on a larger screen. If you start and cannot see properly, you can switch to another device within 10 minutes and carry on.
How to prepare for the ACT HPT
- Do the official practice test first. It uses examples like the real test and also checks the test runs on your device.
- Practise spotting hazards on real drives. Ask your supervisor to call out hazards with you: a car edging out of a driveway, a cyclist ahead, a bus pulling out, pedestrians near shops.
- Know what a hazard looks like on Canberra roads. Roundabouts, merging lanes and school zones all feature in everyday ACT driving. See driving in Canberra.
- Pick a quiet time. No notifications, no one walking in, device charged.
What happens if you fail the HPT in the ACT?
- First fail: you are locked out for 24 hours and must pay for your next attempt.
- Second fail: you are locked out for three days and must pay again.
Safe Plates Testing suggests using the gap to redo the practice scenarios, do more supervised drives or book a professional lesson. The ACT Government notes research that drivers who failed the HPT at least twice were more likely to crash than those who passed first time, so treat a fail as a sign you need more practice, not just another try.
After you pass
You get a completion certificate you can print. Safe Plates Testing says you do not need to bring it when applying for your Ps. However, Access Canberra’s one-off assessment page lists the HPT certificate among the things to bring on assessment day, so print a copy and take it.
Then you still need to finish your time on Ls and your logbook hours, and pass either CBT&A or the one-off practical assessment. See ACT logbook hours and credits and CBT&A or the one-off driving assessment.
Common questions
When can I do the HPT in the ACT?
Any time after you have held your ACT learner licence for 3 months. You do not have to finish your hours first.
Is the ACT Hazard Perception Test free?
Your first attempt is free. Each further attempt costs $30.00 (the fee from 1 July 2026), paid before the test.
How many clips are in the test?
25 videos, each about 15 seconds long.
Does my HPT pass expire?
No. Once you pass, it does not expire.
Can I do the HPT on my phone?
Yes, but a bigger screen makes hazards easier to see. Run the practice test on your device first.
What if the test crashes partway through?
Call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 about technical problems. Inactivity for 10 minutes counts as a fail, so contact them straight away.
Do I need to do the HPT if I am over 25?
Yes. It applies to all ACT learners issued or renewed after 1 January 2020, whatever their age, and cannot be exempted.
Related: ACT pre-learner course and road rules test. Back to the main guide: learning to drive in the ACT.
Sources
- Safe Plates Testing, “Hazard Perception Test” (safeplatestesting.act.gov.au)
- Access Canberra, “Get your provisional driver licence” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
- Access Canberra, “One off practical driving assessment” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
- City Services, “Safe plates frequently asked questions” (cityservices.act.gov.au)
- ACT Government, “Road Transport (General) (Driver Licence and Related Fees) Determination 2026 (No 1)”, DI2026-44, Schedule 1 item 18 (legislation.act.gov.au)