Hazard perception in the Dutch theory test 2026: brake, release the accelerator or do nothing?

Hazard perception in the CBR exam in 2026

The CBR car theory exam is one continuous exam. There is no longer a separate hazard perception section, but the questions still exist and are mixed in with the others. You get a short animation or image of a situation and choose what the driver (you) should do. The CBR checks whether you look ahead and whether your reaction fits your speed and the distance to the hazard.

The three answers, simply explained

Brake: when?

Choose brake when you really need to reduce your speed to prevent a collision or dangerous situation. Examples:

• A child, ball or animal comes onto the road (a ball is often followed by a child).
• The car in front brakes suddenly, or you are quickly approaching stationary traffic.
• A cyclist or car from the right has priority and you are driving onto the intersection.
• An oncoming car is overtaking and comes onto your side of the road.
• You approach a pedestrian who is already on the zebra crossing.
• You are going too fast for a bend, speed bump or unclear situation just ahead.

Release the accelerator: when?

Choose release the accelerator when there is a possible hazard you need to keep an eye on, but you do not need to brake yet:

• Children are playing on the pavement but are not on the road yet.
• A cyclist looks over their shoulder or wobbles a little.
• You approach an intersection where you cannot yet see clearly whether anyone is coming.
• A bus is at a stop and may pull away, or people are getting off.
• A sign warns of a dangerous bend or crossing wildlife.
• It is raining, the road is slippery or visibility is getting worse.

Do nothing: when?

Do nothing means you continue at the same speed. That is right when:

• you are on a priority road and the intersection is clear and empty;
• you are already driving at a suitable speed, for example 30 km/h in a quiet residential area;
• there is enough distance to other road users and nobody can cross your path;
• you have already released the accelerator and the situation is under control.

Note: driving too cautiously also counts as a mistake. Braking on an empty, clear road is not the right answer.

Rules of thumb when in doubt

1. Look at your speed. Are you driving fast (for example 80 km/h) and is the hazard close? Then braking is needed sooner than at 30 km/h.
2. Look at the distance. The closer the hazard, the sooner you brake. Far away and still uncertain: release the accelerator.
3. Who has priority? If you must let someone go first and cannot calmly roll to a stop, you brake. Unsure about priority? Read priority rules explained.
4. Look far ahead and in your mirrors. The hazard is often at the edge of the picture: a car door opening or a cyclist in your blind spot.
5. Already released the accelerator? If you see the same situation in several steps, you do not need to release the accelerator again each time; if your speed is already right, doing nothing is correct.

Most common mistakes

• Braking too soon for every little thing, when releasing the accelerator is enough.
• Not paying attention to your own speed: the same situation calls for something different at 50 km/h than at 100 km/h.
• Forgetting priority: a cyclist from the right at an equal intersection goes first.
• Ignoring signs that tell you that you will soon have to stop or give way.

Read about more pitfalls in the most common mistakes in the theory exam.

Practise hazard perception for free

You learn hazard perception mainly by seeing many situations. In the free CBR practice exam you practise with real exam-style questions, including hazard perception, and get an explanation with every answer straight away.