One of the biggest worries for learner drivers is making a mistake during their practical driving test.

Perhaps you’re concerned about stalling at a junction, getting a manoeuvre wrong or forgetting to check your mirrors.

But here’s something worth remembering: you don’t have to drive perfectly to pass your driving test.

The examiner wants to see that you can drive safely, make sensible decisions and deal with everyday road situations independently.

So, what actually counts as a driving test fault, and which mistakes could result in a fail?

What Are the Different Types of Driving Test Faults?

During your practical driving test, the examiner assesses your driving and records any faults in three categories.

Driving faults

Sometimes referred to as minor faults, these are mistakes that aren’t considered potentially dangerous in the circumstances.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass your test, provided you don’t make any serious or dangerous faults.

However, repeatedly making the same type of driving fault could result in the examiner recording a serious fault.

Serious faults

A serious fault is a mistake that is potentially dangerous.

For example, failing to make adequate observations at a junction could be recorded as a serious fault if your actions create a potential risk.

Just one serious fault will result in a failed driving test.

Dangerous faults

A dangerous fault involves actual danger to you, the examiner, another road user or property.

These are the most serious mistakes, and a single dangerous fault will result in a fail.

What Are the Most Common Driving Test Faults?

Although every driving test is different, some mistakes occur more frequently than others.

1. Not Making Effective Observations at Junctions

Approaching junctions safely is an important part of your driving test.

Failing to look properly before emerging, misjudging approaching traffic or pulling out when it isn’t safe can result in a fault.

Remember, it’s not simply about looking left and right. You need to take in what you see and make a safe decision.

2. Forgetting to Check Your Mirrors

Your examiner will expect you to use your mirrors appropriately, particularly before changing speed or direction.

Common mistakes include failing to check mirrors before signalling, changing lanes or slowing down.

The key is to make mirror checks part of your normal driving rather than something you only remember because you’re taking a test.

3. Problems with Moving Off Safely

Whether you’re pulling away from the side of the road or moving off on a hill, you need to make sure it’s safe before doing so.

Failing to check blind spots, moving off without adequate observations or causing another road user to react could result in a fault.

4. Poor Positioning on the Road

Your road position matters, particularly when approaching junctions, navigating roundabouts or turning right.

Being in the wrong lane, cutting corners or positioning your vehicle incorrectly can create problems for other road users.

Your instructor will help you recognise the correct position for different situations during your lessons.

5. Mistakes During Manoeuvres

Parallel parking, bay parking and other reversing manoeuvres can make learners nervous.

But your examiner isn’t expecting a perfectly positioned car every single time.

They’re looking for good control, effective observations and an awareness of what’s happening around you.

If you need to make a safe correction during a manoeuvre, that doesn’t automatically mean you’ve failed.

Will You Fail Your Driving Test If You Stall?

Not necessarily!

Stalling during your driving test doesn’t automatically mean a fail. What matters is the situation and how you deal with it.

For example, if you stall while moving off in a safe location, remain calm, secure the car if necessary, restart the engine and make the appropriate observations before moving away, it may only result in a driving fault or no fault at all.

However, stalling in a situation that creates danger or significantly affects other road users could result in a more serious fault.

The important thing is not to panic. Take a moment, regain control and continue safely.

What If You Think You’ve Made a Mistake During Your Test?
Carry on!

It’s surprisingly easy to convince yourself that you’ve failed after making a mistake, even when the examiner hasn’t recorded a serious fault.

Perhaps you took the wrong turning, stalled or needed to correct your parking.

None of these automatically means you’ve failed.

Concentrate on the road ahead rather than worrying about something that’s already happened.

Remember, the examiner is assessing your driving throughout the test, not expecting every moment to be perfect.

How Can You Avoid Common Driving Test Faults?

The best preparation is to develop good driving habits long before your test date.

Regular practice, constructive feedback and experience of different road situations will help you become more confident and independent.

During your driving lessons, your instructor will help you identify any areas that need improvement and work towards driving safely without guidance.

Mock driving tests can also be useful, giving you an opportunity to experience test conditions and recognise any habits that might lead to faults.

For more advice, take a look at our guide to preparing for your driving test.

Remember, Safe Driving Matters More Than Perfection

It’s natural to feel nervous about making mistakes, but try not to become so focused on avoiding faults that you forget to concentrate on your driving.

Your examiner wants to see that you can make safe decisions, respond appropriately to hazards and drive independently.

And if you don’t pass first time, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. Use the feedback to understand what needs improving and work on those areas with your instructor.

Passing your test is an important milestone, but becoming a safe and confident driver is what really matters.