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DRIVING TEST FAULTS
Know the difference between minor, serious and dangerous faults.
Understanding how driving test faults are categorised helps you know what to prioritise in your practice. Our guide explains minor, serious and dangerous faults and reveals the most common errors to avoid.
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Types of driving test faults
During your practical driving test, the examiner records any errors you make. There are three types of fault: minor (driver) faults, serious faults and dangerous faults. Understanding the difference between them is important — only a serious or dangerous fault causes an immediate test failure.
Minor (driver) faults
Minor faults — sometimes called driver faults — are small errors that do not pose an immediate danger. You can accumulate up to 15 minor faults and still pass. However, if you make the same minor fault repeatedly, the examiner may upgrade it to a serious fault. Getting 16 or more minor faults in total is also a fail.
Serious faults
A serious fault is one that could potentially be dangerous to yourself, other road users or pedestrians. A single serious fault results in an immediate test failure. Examples include: incorrect use of mirrors before a manoeuvre, moving away unsafely, and consistently poor lane discipline.
Dangerous faults
A dangerous fault is one where the examiner has had to intervene or where another road user has had to take action to avoid an incident. A single dangerous fault is an immediate test failure. Examples include: running a red light, pulling out in front of oncoming traffic and mounting the kerb at speed.
Minor Faults
Up to 15 minor faults allowed. A 16th minor fault or a pattern of the same minor fault causes a fail.
Serious Faults
One serious fault = fail. These are errors that could be dangerous in the prevailing conditions.
Dangerous Faults
One dangerous fault = fail. These involve actual danger or required examiner intervention.
Most Common Faults
The most common minor faults are: mirrors before manoeuvres, steering, junctions (observation), moving off (safely) and control.
Reversing Manoeuvres
Poor observation during reversing manoeuvres is a top cause of serious faults. Always check mirrors and blind spots throughout.
Show Me, Tell Me
Getting a show me or tell me question wrong counts as one minor fault — it doesn't end your test.
Most common driving test faults
According to the DVSA, the most common test faults are: not checking mirrors effectively; incorrect observations at junctions; poor steering control; not moving off safely; and incorrect use of signals. Awareness of these areas helps you focus your practice in the right places before your test.
Get test-ready with RED
Our instructors will focus on the areas most likely to attract faults so you go into your test fully prepared.
Driving Test Faults FAQs
How many minor faults can you get and still pass?
Is stalling a serious fault?
Can I still pass with a minor fault?
What happens after a serious fault?
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