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The DVSA publishes detailed data on why candidates fail the practical driving test. Every year, the same handful of faults account for the vast majority of failures. These are not obscure technical violations. They are everyday mistakes that almost every learner makes at some point — and that almost every examiner has seen a thousand times.
Here are the top 10, what they look like, and how to fix them in your lessons before they become test-day problems.
1. Junction observations — not looking effectively
This is the number one reason for test failure. At junctions, the examiner needs to see that you are checking left and right, assessing gaps, and making decisions based on what you see. A quick glance is not enough. Move your head. The examiner cannot see your eyes, so your head movement is their only evidence that you are looking. Exaggerate it slightly.
Fix: Narrate what you see out loud during lessons. “Checking right — car approaching but far enough — left clear — going.” This builds the habit and reassures the examiner.
2. Mirrors — not checking before signalling or changing direction
Mirror checks need to happen before you signal, before you change speed, and before you change direction. The most common failure is signalling first and checking mirrors second. By then it is too late — you have already committed.
Fix: Drill the sequence: Mirrors → Signal → Manoeuvre. Say it in your head every time you move off, turn, or change lanes. After a few lessons it becomes automatic.
3. Moving off — not checking the blind spot safely
When pulling away from the side of the road, you must check your blind spot over your left shoulder (or right, depending on the situation). Learners often glance but do not actually look. The examiner is watching for a distinct head turn. If they do not see it, you will get a fault. A serious fault here, especially if something is in the blind spot, is an instant fail.
Fix: Physically turn your upper body. Point your chin at the window. It feels unnatural but it is the only way to actually see what is in the blind spot.
4. Steering control
Crossing hands on the wheel, letting the wheel spin back through your fingers, or steering too late into a junction are all common steering faults. The examiner wants to see smooth, controlled steering with hands at a quarter-to-three position most of the time.
Fix: Push-pull steering. It seems old-fashioned but it gives you the most control. Also, look where you want the car to go — your hands follow your eyes.
5. Response to traffic lights
Hesitating when a light turns green, stopping at an amber when you could have safely gone through, or running a red light altogether. The examiner needs to see decisive, safe decision-making at traffic lights.
Fix: Plan your approach. If the light has been green for a while as you approach, prepare to stop — it is likely to change. If it changes to amber and you are too close to stop safely, continue. The key word is safely.
6. Response to road signs and markings
Missing speed limit changes, ignoring “keep clear” markings, or failing to comply with give-way lines. The examiner is constantly assessing whether you are reading the road. Look up, look ahead, scan for signs. If you drive past a speed limit sign without reacting, the examiner knows you did not see it.
Fix: Practice scanning. Every 8-10 seconds, deliberately check: what does the next sign say? What is the speed limit right now? Are there any road markings I need to obey?
7. Positioning — lane discipline
Drifting out of your lane, positioning incorrectly at roundabouts, or sitting in the wrong lane on approach to a junction. On dual carriageways, staying in the right-hand lane when the left is clear is a common fault.
Fix: For roundabouts, know your lane before you arrive. Left lane for left and straight ahead (unless marked otherwise). Right lane for right turns. When in doubt, follow the road markings on the lane itself.
8. Reverse parking — control and observation
Any of the reversing manoeuvres can trip people up. The key faults are: poor control (stalling, hitting the kerb, taking too many corrections), and poor observation (not checking around the car while reversing).
Fix: Go slowly. There is no time limit on the manoeuvre. Check all around every few seconds. If you think you are about to hit the kerb, stop, pull forward, and try again. Correcting is not a fault. Hitting things is.
9. Use of speed — driving too slowly
Yes, you can fail for being too slow. Driving well below the speed limit on a clear road in good conditions shows a lack of confidence and can be marked as a serious fault if it impedes other road users. The examiner wants to see you making progress.
Fix: On a clear, straight 30 mph road in good weather, you should be driving close to 30 mph. Match the flow of traffic. If you are nervous about speed, practice on quiet roads until faster speeds feel normal.
10. Clearance — passing parked cars and obstacles
Passing too close to parked cars is dangerous (doors can open) and a common serious fault. Equally, swinging too wide into oncoming traffic is dangerous.
Fix: The rule of thumb: leave at least a car door’s width when passing parked vehicles. If you cannot leave that gap safely, slow down and be prepared to stop to let oncoming traffic through. Slow and safe beats fast and close every time.
The common thread
Look at that list again. Almost every item comes down to observation and planning. The driving test is not really a test of car control. It is a test of whether you can spot hazards, assess them, and respond safely. Focus your practice there and the rest follows.
