Driving test faults

It’s extremely uncommon to come out of a driving test with a clean sheet. Most people will get at least a few minor driving test faults during their test and that’s okay. The examiner isn’t expecting you to be perfect. Very few people are, especially in a high-pressure test environment.

Remember to check you’re insured for your driving test too, especially if you’re taking it in a friend’s or family member’s car. Take a look at our hourly car insurance to see how it works.

We’ll run through the most common faults made during a driving test, how you can avoid them, and what you can expect to happen if you make one.

Types of fault

There are 3 types of fault you can make during your driving test:

• Driving fault: also known as a minor, this isn’t potentially dangerous, but it could become a serious fault if repeated.
• Serious fault: also known as a major, this has the potential to cause danger.
• Dangerous fault: also known as a major, this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public, or property.

Driving test marking sheet

Your driving examiner will fill out a marking sheet during your test, and you’ll get a copy of it at the end. This is what the examiner uses to make their decision. We know it looks a bit scary with all those fields, but it’s basically just a list of all the categories you’ll be marked on. This is exactly what you’ve prepared for, you’ve got this.

The sheet is officially called the DL25. Read the secrets of the DVSA DL25 form for a box-by-box look at what each section means.

Common driving test faults

1. Observation at junctions

You’ll need to show awareness of any hazards when approaching a junction, and prove you can pull onto a new road safely. If you don’t recognise potential hazards, it could cause danger to you or others and land you with a minor or major fault on your test. Mirror-signal-manoeuvre will be key here.

A common mistake is looking without really seeing, or misjudging how fast oncoming traffic is moving. Use the mirror, signal, position, speed, look routine, pause if you need to, check both ways, and only pull out when it’s safe.

2. Mirrors: changing direction

Using your mirrors properly will make driving safer and smoother. They should be used before any manoeuvre, such as changing speed, switching lanes, and to check on the space around you.

Did you know that failing to check your mirrors before changing direction is a common reason drivers don’t pass their test? That’s why exaggerating your mirror checks is one of our top 10 tips to pass your driving test first time. Make sure to use both the wing mirrors and the rear-view mirror to check on the space around you, other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians before turning.

Check your mirrors before you signal, not after. If it helps, say each check out loud during lessons until it becomes a habit.

3. Control: steering

Follow the kerb smoothly, but try not to get too close. To avoid a major driving test fault, keep your hands at 10 to 2 for good control of the wheel. This will help to keep you on a steady course.

4. Junctions: turning right

Driving examiners like to get this in there as a tricky manoeuvre. Take it slow and use your mirrors before signalling. You’ll need to make sure the lanes are clear of cyclists and pedestrians, as well as cars, before pulling out onto the road.

5. Moving off safely

During your test, you’ll be marked from the get go, so checking your blind spot before moving off will steer you in the right direction. You may also be asked to move off at another point in the test, either way it’s a given and could be crucial to your success. Checking your blind spot will help to take care of cyclists and pedestrians.

6. Moving off: control

Showing you’re in control when moving off involves a few different things. You don’t want to move off while the handbrake is up for example, or roll backwards if you’re on a hill. Likewise, be careful to avoid stalling the car. We know it’s every learner’s worst nightmare to stall during the test, but if it does happen, don’t panic. In most cases, you’ll only get a minor fault for stalling.

7. Response to signs: traffic lights

Driving through a red light is classed as a major fault, but there are other things to look out for too. Think outside the box. Stopping inside a yellow box junction will block off other road exits and could mean you’ll fail the test. If you’re going to drive over it, make sure there’s enough room between you and the car in front. Other things to keep in mind are staying behind the stop line and not waiting too long at a green light.

The same goes for signs. Missing a stop sign or a no entry sign can be dangerous and is likely to mean a fail. Look well ahead so you have time to spot each sign and react calmly.

8. Response to signs: road markings

Show the examiner you’re paying attention to road markings. Don’t get caught out by switching lanes over a double white line and make sure you’re following the lane direction arrows. Your theory test will help with this.

9. Positioning: normal driving

Your car should stay in the middle of the lane markings, or slightly to the left if it’s a wider road. Remembering the 2 second rule when it comes to the car in front will help you ace this part of the test too.

10. Reverse park: control

You’ll have to complete 1 of 3 parking manoeuvres during your test and reverse bay parking or parallel parking are tricky even for experienced drivers. The examiner will be looking out for observation, control, and accuracy, so try to avoid needing to reposition the car after you’ve parked. Keep checking on pedestrians, approaching cars, and the kerb.

Break each manoeuvre into small steps, practise in a quiet car park, and use reference points on the car to judge your position. Our guide to driving test manoeuvres walks through each one.

11. Use of speed

Some learners drive too slowly out of caution, while others creep over the limit because of nerves. Both can be marked as faults. Know the speed limits, but also match your speed to the road and the conditions. The limit is a maximum, not a target.

12. Following the examiner’s directions

Mishearing a direction, or losing your way during the independent driving part of the test, can throw you off. If you didn’t catch an instruction, ask the examiner to repeat it. Asking is always better than guessing. If you do go the wrong way, stay calm and keep driving safely, because a rushed change of direction is more likely to cost you than the wrong turn itself.

Driving test minors

A minor fault isn’t potentially dangerous to you or your surroundings. For example, you could pick one up for missing one of the examiner’s directions, or touching the kerb gently while carrying out a manoeuvre. The examiner will decide how to mark the fault, but your driving instructor will have prepared you to know what to look out for.

Not got an instructor yet? Check out the 6 things to think about when choosing a driving instructor.

How many minors can you get in a driving test?

You can get 15 minors and still pass your driving test. However, you’ll fail the test for getting 3 minors in the same category.

Major faults in a driving test

Both serious and dangerous faults are classed as major and making one of these will mean you’ll fail the test. Here are a few major faults to look out for:

• Driving too slowly for the road, or going over the speed limit
• Pulling onto a road when it’s not safe to do so
• Mounting or driving into the kerb forcefully

You’ll still have to complete the test if you make a major fault, and you won’t find out if you’ve failed until the end. Ultimately, it’s up to the examiner to decide whether a fault is marked as a major or not.

Can you fail your driving test for stalling?

You might not believe it, but stalling the car doesn’t mean you’ll instantly fail your test. It’s likely you’ll only pick up a minor fault. Whether it leads you to fail depends on how it happened, how many times, and how you responded. Stalling somewhere risky, such as on a roundabout or while pulling out of a junction, is more likely to be marked as a major. So keep calm and try not to panic.

To get the car moving again, press the brake before switching the engine back on, and make sure to check your mirrors and blind spot before driving off. Remember that the handbrake should be used as a precaution if you stall on a hill.

Good clutch control is the best prevention, especially when moving off on a slope. Our guides to why cars stall and how to do a hill start can help.

How to avoid driving test faults

Most of these faults can be avoided by having good observation whenever you’re driving, parking, or carrying out a manoeuvre. Remember that, by the time you sit your test, you’ll have had plenty of time on the road, either with your instructor or practising with family or friends, so don’t panic, stay calm, and take your time.

A few habits make a real difference:

• Get regular, consistent practice with a qualified instructor
• Add private practice with family or friends between lessons
• Learn the test format and try a mock driving test
• Spend extra time on the faults above that you find hardest

Dealing with test day nerves

Nerves aren’t a fault in themselves, but they can lead to rushed decisions, missed checks or panicked reactions. Practising under test conditions, with your instructor or during private practice, can help the real thing feel familiar. Simple breathing exercises before you set off can help you stay focused, too.

If you do fail your driving test, try not to be too hard on yourself. The practical driving test is really tough, and a test is only a snapshot of your driving on that day. On the plus side, you’ll know exactly what to expect next time. Use your marking sheet to see which areas to work on before you book again.

If you’re worried about your driving test, it might be a good idea to get in some practice with a friend or family member. Make sure you’re covered with learner driver insurance before getting behind the wheel.