It’s rare to pass the driving test without picking up a few faults.
According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the top 10 reasons for failing a driving test are:
1. Not making effective observations at junctions –Failing to judge the speed of approaching traffic, only checking in one direction, or going straight ahead without realising you’re at a crossroads.
2. Failing to check mirrors– Whether you’re changing direction or exiting a roundabout, not checking your mirrors counts as a fault.
3. Not having proper control over your steering –Poor steering or steering too late can cause you to swing out onto the wrong side of the road or mount the pavement.
4. Poor road positioning when turning right at junctions –This includes obstructing traffic while you wait, or using the left-hand lane when you’ll be turning right at a roundabout.
5. Not moving off safely –Failing to check your mirrors and look around you before moving off, particularly if you’re behind a parked vehicle, on a slope, or you’re moving from the far side of the road.
6. Responding incorrectly to traffic lights –Failing to stop at a red light or to go ahead on a green.
7. Not positioning your car correctly during normal driving –Driving too close to the kerb, or parked cars, or too close to the centre.
8. Not understanding and reacting properly to traffic signs –Your driving theory knowledge isn’t just needed for your theory test. You need to use that knowledge in real life.
9. Not being in full control of your car when you move off –Rolling back or stalling the car repeatedly as you try to move off are examples of not being in control.
10. Not controlling the car accurately when you’re reverse parking –Too many attempts to parallel park the car, ending up with your parked car’s wheels on the pavement, or parking outside of the parking bay lines.