Sitting a driving test is nerve-wracking, and failing can feel even worse. Knowing you’ve failed might have an impact on your confidence as a driver and put you off sitting a test again.
However, you shouldn’t let a failure put you off trying again. The best way to make sure you pass is to practice as much as possible with driving lessons and try not to give up.
Our guide looks into some of the most common driving test fails and how you can avoid them in order to become a safer driver.
Types of driving test faults
The three main types of driving test faults are driver, serious, and dangerous. We have highlighted what each of these mean below:
- Driver faults are the smallest of faults and are known as minor ones. While minor faults aren’t as severe, you will fail if you make 16 or more. It’s worth remembering that you can also fail if you make the same fault several times.
- Serious faults are potentially dangerous mistakes to yourself or other road users. Only one serious fault will cause you to fail your test.
- Dangerous faults are the most serious and, if you make one, it means you’ve endangered yourself or other road users. Your test may end after making a dangerous fault if your driving is dangerous to others.
Driver fault examples
There are several reasons why you might get a minor driving fault. These include:
- Stalling
- Hesitation
- Coasting
- Inappropriate gear use
- Poor clutch use
- Not signalling correctly
Serious fault examples
Below are some examples of serious faults made during a practical test:
- Not checking mirrors before turning
- Poor steering control
- Not making observations at junctions
- Moving off poorly
- Positioning at junctions
- Drivers disobeying traffic lights
Dangerous fault examples
Making a dangerous driving fault means you’ve put yourself and others at risk. Making one will result in an instant failure, and your examiner may have to intervene to prevent any accidents. Some examples of these include:
- Not checking blind spots before changing lanes, causing a vehicle to slow, swerve or stop
- Not checking mirrors before turning left to check for cyclists
- Mounting the pavement at any point
The most common driving test fails (updated with the latest government data)
The list below is based on the latest official DVSA data from 2024, taken from the UK government’s car driving tests – top 10 faults made in Great Britain dataset. This data reflects the most common faults recorded by driving examiners during practical driving tests across the UK in 2024.
By understanding and avoiding these common mistakes, you can significantly improve your chances of passing your driving test on your first try.
1. Junction observations
One of the biggest reasons students fail a driving test is by not making the proper observations when approaching and using junctions.
Some of the most common ‘Junctions – Observations’ faults include:
- Judging the speed of an approaching vehicle
- Entering a roundabout with poor observations
- Making no observations at all
- Poor dual carriageway observations when entering from a slip road
- Not making observations at crossroads and driving straight across
- Looking at junctions too late when turning
- Not looking left at all when turning left
Always take your time at junctions and make clear, deliberate observations before committing.
2. Not using mirrors correctly
Not checking mirrors properly before changing direction is a common failure for many learner drivers. These faults will be noted as ‘Mirrors – Change direction’ on your test and usually happen when you fail to check before signalling, changing direction or changing speed.
Reasons for drivers failing for incorrect mirror use include:
- Not checking or using mirrors when leaving roundabouts
- Failing to check mirrors and causing a car to slow down when changing lanes
- Changing lanes on a roundabout without checking mirrors
Always check your mirrors correctly when changing speed, direction or before you signal. By following the ‘mirror – signal – manoeuvre’ routine, you should master this skill in no time.
3. Moving off unsafely
Ensuring you move off safely from the side of the road is crucial, especially if you’re on a hill or positioned behind a parked car. The most common reasons for a ‘Moving off – Safety’ fault include:
- Pull away without checking blind spots
- Move off into the path of another vehicle
- Cause another road user to slow or stop
- Fail to check for cyclists or pedestrians
Always make full observations and ensure it’s safe before moving off.
4. Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions
Incorrect positioning when turning right is one of the most common junction-related failures.
A ‘Junctions – Turning right’ fault may occur if you:
- Position the car incorrectly on the approach
- Block traffic while waiting to turn
- Use the wrong lane on a roundabout
- Turn too wide or cut across lanes
Practice correct road positioning and lane discipline well before your test.
5. Not responding correctly to traffic lights
A ‘Response to signs – Traffic lights’ fault means you’ve not responded correctly to traffic lights during your test. As well as responding to traffic light signals you need to make sure the road is clear before proceeding if there is a green light.
Top reasons for failing the driving test due to traffic lights include:
- Failing to stop at red lights
- Proceeding when a junction isn’t clear on green
- Stopping beyond the stop line
- Hesitating unnecessarily when it is safe to go
Always assess the junction, not just the signal.
6. Poor steering control
Lack of steering control is recorded as a ‘Control – Steering’ fault and can quickly lead to a fail.
Common reasons include:
- Steering too late or too early
- Poor control on bends
- Mounting the kerb
- Over- or under-steering when manoeuvring
Smooth, controlled steering shows confidence and good vehicle control.
7. Not responding to road markings
A ‘Response to signs – Road markings’ fault relates to ignoring or misinterpreting road markings.
This includes:
- Driving in bus lanes incorrectly
- Ignoring the give way or stop markings
- Incorrect lane positioning
- Failing to follow directional arrows
Always read the road ahead and plan early.
8. Not responding to traffic signs
Failing to obey traffic signs is another common reason learners fail.
A ‘Response to signs – Traffic signs’ fault may be given if you:
- Ignore stop or give way signs
- Enter no-entry roads
- Miss speed limit changes
- Fail to follow mandatory direction signs
Traffic signs are legally enforceable — missing one can easily cost you your test.
9. Poor positioning during normal driving
Positioning errors during everyday driving are recorded as ‘Positioning – Normal driving’ faults.
Common issues include:
- Driving too close to the kerb or centre line
- Poor lane discipline
- Incorrect road positioning on bends or roundabouts
- Unnecessary lane changes
Aim to keep a safe, consistent road position at all times.
10. Incorrect use of speed
Incorrect speed choice is one of the top ten driving test faults according to 2024 data.
A ‘Use of speed’ fault may occur if you:
- Drive too fast for the road or conditions
- Drive well below the speed limit unnecessarily
- Fail to adjust speed in poor weather
- Approach hazards too quickly
Driving at a safe, appropriate speed is just as important as staying within the limit.
Instant fails on the UK driving test
Some faults result in an instant fail, and there are no second chances. If you make one, your test will be ended, and you’ll be directed back to the test centre.
- Failing the vision test – The first step of your test is to check your eyesight meets the ‘standards of vision for driving’. You’ll be asked to read a number plate on a parked vehicle from 20 metres away. Failing means you will fail your test.
- Mounting the kerb – Regardless of whether there is a pedestrian there or not, you’ll fail your test if you mount the kerb. This is extremely dangerous and could injure somebody.
- Crossing a solid white line – Passing over a solid white line is an instant fail. These could signify bus lanes, junctions, and advanced stop lines.
- Forcing vehicles to take evasive actions – If your actions cause another driver to slow down, swerve or stop, this will result in an instant failure. You must make sure you don’t impact other drivers using the road.
What happens when you fail a driving test?
At the end of your test, you’ll return to the driving test centre and be asked to pull up where it’s safe to park. Your driving examiner will go through the test results with you and explain whether you’ve passed or failed.
They’ll go through any faults, hazardous, severe and repeated minor faults. If you make more than 15 driver faults causing a fail, the driving examiner will go through each of these faults.
Once the debrief has finished, you’ll either be given or emailed a copy of your driving test results, where you can look at them in more detail.
How to get over a failed driving test
There’s nothing worse than failing a driving test, and it might affect your confidence. Luckily, you can do a few things to get over it and prepare for your next driving test. Follow our top driving test tips to help you pass.
Take a deep breath
Once you know you’ve failed, take a deep breath and allow yourself time to process. Look at your driving test results and see which faults you made. After processing these, you can look forward to starting driving lessons again.
Consider pass rates
You’re not the only person who’s failed, and it’s incredibly common for people to sit their test more than once. According to Gov.uk, the national practical driving test pass rate was 48.5% in 2024/25. Pass rates vary depending on the test centre, so it could be lower or higher than this.
Start working on any areas of improvement
As soon as you’re ready, start driving again and speak to your driving instructor about areas to improve. You can focus on any minors you got and any serious or dangerous driving faults.
Make sure to read everything there is to know about driving tests to prepare yourself, from how long they are to what you’re being tested on.
Book another driving test
Make sure you book another test and try again. You might be tempted to leave it and give up driving, but don’t. It’s best to book your test as quickly as possible, so you don’t have to wait too long to sit your test again.
Take a look at our tips for passing your driving test or our guide on how to pass your driving test to expand your knowledge and boost your confidence.