Following the introduction of the new driving test in 2019, the DVSA released a list of the top ten most common reasons for failing a driving test. Most of these relate to lack of observations, not using mirrors or not responding to your surroundings.
You will fail your driving test if you receive one or more serious or dangerous driving faults or fifteen or more driving faults (also known as minor driving faults).
See our article on the practical driving test for more guidance.
Top Ten Driving Test Faults
The driving test report that examiners use lists various driving faults that a candidate could make during their test. Remember, these could either result in a driving fault, serious fault or dangerous fault depending on the level of seriousness. The top ten that occur most often are:
- Junctions – observation. Not making proper observations before moving off from a junction or not taking into account your surroundings.
- Mirrors – change direction. Not using your mirrors before changing directions or switching lanes.
- Control – steering. Not using the controls smoothly and carefully.
- Junctions – turning right. Not having good road position, not taking into account your surroundings, not making your intentions clear and keeping control of the car.
- Move off – safely. Not making your intentions clear, not carrying out proper observations (including checking your blind spot), moving off when it is unsafe and not keeping control of the car.
- Response to signs – traffic lights. Not stopping when you are supposed to, reacting late, stopping in the space reserved for cyclists at traffic lights or using the incorrect lane.
- Move off – control. Not keeping control of the car i.e repeatedly stalling or rolling back.
- Positioning – normal driving. Poor positioning when driving such as driving too close to the pavement or driving in the wrong lane.
- Response to signs – road markings. Failing to read and follow road markings/signs, driving in the incorrect lane or reacting late to signs such as speed limit changes.
- Reverse park – control. Not keeping control of the car when reversing i.e driving on the pavement or not finishing up in the bay correctly or not taking into account your surroundings.
Tips For Avoiding Making These Mistakes
- Look around carefully before pulling out of a junction and make sure there is a big enough gap.
- Use your mirrors regularly especially before turning, changing lanes, carrying out manouvers or changing speed.
- Position your car properly in the road.
- Take a careful note of any road markings and signs.
- Try to stay calm and focused during the test.
