DVSA top ten reasons for failing driving tests revealed

A whopping 865,703 exams were carried out between April 2023 and September 2023 across the UK, with an average pass rate of 48.8 per cent.

For those of us preparing for an upcoming test, the DVSA has revealed the most recent top ten reasons for failing driving tests,

Soon-to-be motorists are urged to use the examples with their driving instructors to help identify any areas where they still need to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding.

• Not making effective observations at junctions
  

Drivers must always make effective observations before moving into a new road and make sure it is safe before proceeding.

Any mistakes made in this area will be counted under the ‘Junctions – Observations’ fault on their driving test result.

More than one in three crashes reported in Britain in 2021 were caused by people driving not looking properly.

   2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction

You must always make full and effective use of all the mirrors, check the mirrors carefully before signalling, changing direction or changing speed and use the ‘mirror – signal – manoeuvre’ routine effectively.

Any mistakes made in this area when changing direction will be counted under the ‘Mirrors – Change direction’ fault on your driving test result.

  3. Not moving off safely

Motorists must be able to move off safely while making the correct observations from the side of the road, on a slope or hill (gradient) and from behind a parked vehicle, so they have to move off at an angle.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Moving off – Safety’ fault on your driving test result.

 4. Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions

You must be able to position the car as close to the centre of the road as is safe.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Junctions – Turning right’ fault on your driving test result.

  5. Not having proper control of the steering

Drivers must be able to steer their car as smoothly as possible.

They must also steer at the appropriate time, as steering too early or late can cause the car to hit the kerb or swing out towards another road user.

Any mistakes in this area will be counted under the ‘Control – Steering’ fault on the driving test result.

More than one in ten reported crashes in Britain in 2021 were caused by someone driving making a poor turn or manoeuvre.

  6. Not responding appropriately to traffic lights

Drivers must act correctly at traffic lights, checking that the road is clear before they proceed when the green light shows.

Any mistakes in this area will be counted under the ‘Response to signs – Traffic lights’ fault on the driving test result.

There were 1,683 casualties in 2021 where people disobeying traffic lights was a factor in the crash.

  7. Not responding correctly to traffic signs

You must be able to understand and react correctly to all traffic signs.

Any mistakes in this area will show as ‘Response to signals – Traffic signs’ in your result.

8. Poor positioning on the road during normal driving

To pass, you must be able to position the car correctly for your intended route, position the car in the middle of marked lanes and only change lanes when necessary.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Positioning – Normal driving’ fault on your driving test result.

  9. Not responding correctly to road markings

You must be able to understand and react to all road markings correctly.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Response to signals – Road markings’ fault on your driving test result.

  10. Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking

You must be able to control the car accurately when you parallel park at the side of the road or reverse to park in a parking bay.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Reverse park – Control’ fault on your driving test result.