When preparing for a practical driving test, one of the most important things learners need to understand is how faults are marked. During the test, you can be marked on both major and minor faults, and knowing the difference between them, as well as what they involve, can significantly affect how you approach the test. At Wimbledon Driving School, our experienced instructors guide learners in Wallington through common faults and teach practical ways to avoid them, helping maximise their chances of passing. We explain driving test faults in detail, including what counts as a major, what constitutes a minor, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Major and Minor Faults: What are the Key Differences?
During a driving test, examiners assess your performance by recording faults, which are divided into major and minor categories. Understanding the difference between them is essential for knowing how your driving is being judged and what can affect your final result. Minor faults, sometimes called driving faults, are small mistakes that do not create an immediate danger, such as slightly late mirror checks or minor hesitation at junctions.
You are allowed up to 15 of these in a test. Major faults, however, are much more serious and occur when a mistake puts you, your examiner, or other road users at risk. A single major fault will result in a failed test. The key difference lies in the safety impact: minor faults cause inconsistencies, while major faults lead to unsafe or incorrect decision-making in driving situations.
Examples of Major Faults During a Driving Test
Failing to Give Way Correctly
One of the most common major faults is failing to give way at junctions or roundabouts. This happens when a learner enters a junction without properly checking for oncoming traffic or misjudges the speed of other vehicles. It creates an immediate safety risk and forces other road users to react suddenly, which is why it results in an automatic test failure. Strong observation and patience are essential to avoid this mistake.
Driving Through a Red Light
Driving through a red traffic light is considered a serious major fault as it directly endangers other road users. It usually occurs due to distraction, poor observation, or late decision-making when approaching junctions. Examiners expect full compliance with traffic signals, and failing to stop at a red light demonstrates unsafe driving behaviour that cannot be accepted during the test. Early anticipation and controlled approach speed help prevent this error.
Poor Observation at Junctions
Failing to observe properly at junctions is another major fault that can lead to test failure. This includes not checking mirrors, blind spots, or traffic from both directions before emerging. It can result in pulling out into another vehicle’s path or making unsafe decisions. Consistent, thorough observation is essential for safe driving, and missing key checks creates a serious safety risk during the test.
Examples of Minor Faults During a Driving Test
Late Mirror Checks
A common minor fault is performing mirror checks too late or not often enough. While this does not usually pose an immediate danger, it indicates inconsistency in observation. For example, failing to check mirrors before changing speed or direction can reduce awareness. Regular mirror use at the right time helps build safer habits and ensures greater awareness of surrounding traffic throughout the drive.
Hesitation at Junctions
Hesitating unnecessarily at junctions is another minor fault that many learners experience. This happens when drivers take too long to decide whether it is safe to move off, even when a suitable gap is available. While it is safer than rushing, excessive hesitation can disrupt traffic flow and show a lack of confidence or decision-making ability. Clear judgment and calm timing help reduce this issue.
Slightly Incorrect Positioning
Minor positioning errors, such as being slightly too far from the kerb or not centred perfectly in a lane, are also common. These faults usually do not create danger but indicate a lack of precision or control. Examiners expect reasonable positioning throughout the drive. With regular practice, learners improve spatial awareness, steering control, and consistency when positioning the vehicle on different road types.
How to Avoid Driving Test Faults
Avoiding driving test faults comes down to building strong habits, staying aware, and making safe decisions consistently throughout your lessons and test. While minor faults can affect your overall performance, major faults can result in an immediate fail. By understanding how these mistakes happen, learners can focus on improving observation, control, and judgment.
Improve Observation and Awareness
Strong observation is one of the most effective ways to avoid both major and minor faults. Learners should develop a habit of regularly checking mirrors, scanning the road ahead, and staying aware of junctions, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Early spotting of hazards allows more time to react safely, reducing hesitation, missed signs, and dangerous decision-making during critical driving situations.
Practise Calm and Confident Decision-Making
Many faults occur when learners rush or hesitate under pressure, especially at junctions or roundabouts. Taking a moment to assess the situation properly helps avoid unsafe actions or delayed reactions. Building confidence through practice allows better judgment of gaps in traffic and smoother control. Staying calm ensures decisions are made safely and consistently, reducing the risk of both major and minor faults.
Take Feedback and Practice Regularly
Instructor feedback is also essential for identifying and correcting repeated mistakes before they become habits. Paying attention to advice during lessons helps improve weak areas such as positioning, signalling, or observation timing. Regular practice in different road conditions also strengthens overall driving ability. Consistent improvement over time reduces errors, builds confidence, and ensures learners are better prepared for their driving test.
Join Wimbledon Driving School: A Local Driving School in Wallington
At Wimbledon Driving School, we help learners in Wallington develop the skills and awareness needed to reduce faults on the driving test and pass with confidence. We provide lessons tailored to each learner’s ability, helping you identify and correct mistakes early so they do not become repeated faults. We offer both automatic and manual lessons, with a range of lessons available, including standard lessons, refresher courses, and Pass Plus programmes, to suit everyone. To get started, why not book driving lessons in Wallington online today?
