How to Train Risk Perception Before the DGT Exam in 2026

In the theory exam, questions where recalling a rule isn't enough matter more and more: you have to spot the danger and anticipate what will happen next. The DGT emphasises understanding the situation, not memorising. The DGT is studying video questions, but as of October 2026 they are not introduced (more in the article on the 2026 exam changes). Here's how to train this skill.

How Risk Perception Differs From Knowing the Rules

A rule question: "What is the maximum speed in a built-up area?" You have to recall a number.

A risk question: the picture or video shows a junction, cars parked by the kerb and a pedestrian in the distance. What do you do? Here it matters more to see where danger could come from and reduce speed in advance.

Knowing the rules is necessary but not enough: what helps you answer correctly is the habit of looking further ahead and thinking one step ahead.

1. Types of Risk Worth Knowing

Vulnerable road users

Pedestrians (especially children and older people), cyclists, e-scooter users and motorcyclists. They can change course suddenly, and a motorcyclist easily disappears into a blind spot. When overtaking a cyclist you must leave a lateral gap of at least 1.5 m.

Limited visibility

Bends, crests, tunnels, fog, rain and parked cars blocking your view. The worse you can see, the lower your speed must be so you can stop within the stretch of road you can see.

Junctions and priority

Even if you have priority, another driver may not give way. The right answer is often something like "reduce speed and be ready to stop". Priority gives you the right of way but doesn't relieve you of responsibility for driving safely.

Distance and speed

Safe following distance depends on speed, the road and the weather. The DGT's guideline for cars is to keep at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and to increase it in rain, fog or on a slippery road.

2. A Method for Analysing the Situation

Train the same order of thought every time:

1. Look at the whole picture before you read the question: signs, road markings, other road users, road condition.
2. Look for possible sources of danger: who or what could appear in your path?
3. Ask yourself: what will I do in advance, before the danger becomes real?
4. Only then read the answer options and choose the one that reduces risk.

Sometimes the right answer is to keep going, if the situation is safe. Don't look for danger where there isn't any.

3. How to Train in Skilyapp

RaceGame

A game of fast analysis of situations with pictures. Start without rushing, then raise the pace.

Duels

A contest against another player on the same questions. Duels show well whether you freeze under time pressure.

GuessTheSign

Recognising signs instantly saves time when analysing a situation: if you see a restriction sign right away, you understand sooner what scene you're looking at.

Error Bank and AI assistant

All your mistakes go to the Error Bank. Go through them with the AI assistant: ask it to explain which detail in the picture you missed.

Official DGT materials

The DGT has its own training videos for risk perception (Test de Predicción de Riesgos). They're free and show how such a format might look if it is introduced. Look for them on dgt.es.

4. Training Checklist

Every day (10 minutes)

• A short test of a few questions on the "Risk perception" topic
• Review of mistakes, with the AI if needed
• Difficult questions to favourites

Once a week (30 minutes)

• A 20-question test on the topic
• Two RaceGame sessions or duels
• Review of favourite questions

The week before the exam

• Several full 30-question timed tests
• Review of all favourite questions
• If you consistently make no more than one or two mistakes, you're on track

Common Mistakes

1. Relying on the rule alone. You recall the rule but don't look at what's happening in the picture.
2. Small details. You miss a pedestrian at the roadside, a sign or a parked car.
3. Answering too slowly. You know it but run out of time. Train speed with RaceGame and duels.

What's Next

Open a test on "Risk perception", analyse the picture with the method above and notice the details you used to miss.

Start training