It’s not uncommon to fail a driving test, with many people needing to take a few attempts before successfully passing. There are a wide range of reasons why people fail driving tests, from major faults including failing to give way or cutting in front of another car, to an accumulation of minor faults such as poor observation or failing to signal properly. With proper preparation and practice, these common mistakes can be avoided giving you the best chance of passing.
At Wimbledon Driving School, we provide driving lessons to students all across South West London, including in Kingston, to help students drive with confidence and pass their tests. In this post, we share some of the most common reasons why people fail their driving tests and how to avoid them.
Understanding the Causes of Driving Test Fails
Driving tests can result in failures due to a range of mistakes, and it can be due to either major faults or having a number of minor faults that add up. Its important to be able to understand these types of faults, and why they can lead to failing a driving test. Below we share the differences between majors and minors in driving tests;
Major Faults
A major fault is a serious error that occurs during a driving test, and results in an immediate fail. This means that as soon as the fault happens, the examiner will explain that you have failed the driving test. Major faults instantly lead to failure because they directly affect safety – whether it’s your safety, others on the road, or pedestrians – and are too dangerous to overlook. Here are a few common examples of major driving faults:
- Not giving right of way at a junction
- Going through a red light
- Performing dangerous overtakes
- Not checking blind spots when changing lanes or performing a manoeuvre
- Causing an accident
In these cases of major faults, the examiner will deem the situation unsafe, resulting in an automatic failure. Major faults like these show a lack of road awareness and caution, which is why they’re considered serious during the test.
Minor Faults
A minor fault is a less serious mistake, but can still lead to a failure, if too many minors are accumulated. When making a minor fault, you won’t know how many have accumulated until the end of the test. Minor faults indicate that you don’t have good control, road awareness, or safety, which can endanger you and others. Some common minor faults include:
- Not checking mirrors regularly
- Incorrect parking
- Failing to signal properly
- Driving too slowly or too quickly
- Poor steering control
In the UK, you can accumulate up to 15 minor faults during a driving test. And if you get 16 or more minor faults, this will result in a driving test failure.
Some of the Most Common Reasons People Fail their Tests
Whilst there’s a number of major faults and accumulations of minors that can lead to people failing their tests, there are some common mistakes that a lot of people tend to make. Here are some of the most common reasons why many people fail their tests:
Failing to Give Way
Failing to give way when required, for example at a roundabout or junction, can lead to dangerous situations that put you and other road users at risk. In the UK, right of way rules are vital to ensure smooth traffic flow and to prevent accidents from occurring. If you don’t give way during the test, it is considered a major fault and will result in an immediate fail.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, familiarise yourself with right of way rules, especially at roundabouts, junctions, and pedestrian crossings. Always be sure to check carefully for approaching traffic before pulling out, and be aware of road signs that indicate right of way.
Incorrect Parking
When a driver fails to park within the lines but corrects their position to finish within them, a minor fault occurs – the minor fault is due to the need to correct the initial parking position. However, consistently making this mistake reflects a lack of control and attention to detail, and can affect the safety of other road users and cause traffic disruption. Although it is a minor fault, making this mistake multiple times or accumulating other minors can lead to a failure.
To avoid getting this minor fault, practice parking in different situations, such as parallel parking, reversing into spaces, and parking in a bay. Take your time when parking, check mirrors, and position the vehicle carefully. Make sure to focus on steering smoothly and adjusting your position if needed, and always double check your parking before leaving the vehicle.
Not Using Indicators Properly
Failing to use your indicators or signalling too late can confuse other road users and lead to accidents. Indicating is a vital part of safe driving, as it lets others on the road understand your intentions, especially when turning or changing lanes. It is typically considered a minor fault by an examiner, as long as it doesn’t lead to a dangerous situation.
To avoid this minor fault, make a habit of using the indicators early and clearly whenever you change lanes, turn, or pull out. Always double check your indicator is off after completing the manoeuvre. Practising good signalling will demonstrate awareness of other road users and help prevent misunderstandings.
Learn From Our Driving Instructors in Kingston
If you’re ready to start learning how to drive, taught by an expert, highly skilled driving instructor in Kingston, then why not book your lessons at Wimbledon Driving School? We provide lessons to those who have never driven before, alongside refresher, Pass Plus, and intensive driving courses, offered in both automatic and manual vehicle options.
All of our lessons are taught by our team of highly experienced and qualified driving instructors in Kingston. For further information on our driving lessons contact us today or, you can book lessons online.
