The Most Common Reasons
People Fail Their Driving Test

The DVSA’s top 10 reasons, what each one means, and how to avoid them.

Knowing the most common reasons for failing driving test attempts is one of the best ways to avoid them. The DVSA publishes the top 10 every year, and the same faults come up time after time.

How a test is marked

You pass if you make no more than 15 driving faults (minors) and no serious or dangerous faults. Most fails come from one serious fault, often a single moment of not looking properly or not reacting to something in time.

The top 10 reasons

These are the DVSA’s figures for April 2024 to March 2025:

Not looking properly at junctions. Pulling out without checking well enough, especially at junctions where your view is limited.
Not using mirrors properly. Not checking mirrors before signalling, changing lanes or turning.
Not moving off safely. Pulling away without the right checks, from the kerb, on a hill or from behind a parked car.
Poor position when turning right. Not getting close enough to the centre of the road when turning right at a junction.
Not responding properly to traffic lights. Going through a red, or not moving off safely on green.
Poor steering control. Steering too early or too late, clipping kerbs or drifting towards other road users.
Not following road markings. Ignoring lane arrows, crossing solid lines, or getting box junctions and mini-roundabouts wrong.
Not following traffic signs. Missing signs such as stop, no entry, bus lanes or speed limit changes.
Poor position during normal driving. Driving too close to the kerb or centre line, or staying in the wrong lane.
Wrong speed. Going over the limit, or not adjusting for the road, traffic or weather.

How to avoid them

Look, then look again. At junctions, keep looking until you’re sure it’s safe, especially where your view is blocked.
Mirrors first, every time. Before you signal, change speed or change direction.
Plan ahead. Read signs and road markings early, so you’re in the right lane in good time.
Practise moving off. On hills, from behind parked cars and at an angle, with full checks.
Drive at the right speed. Not just within the limit, but right for the road and conditions.

How we help

We don’t teach set test routes. We teach you to drive safely on any road, and these faults are exactly what we work on. Before your test, a mock test with your instructor shows you what to tidy up.

Read our tips for passing your test at St Albans or Borehamwood next.

Sources: GOV.UK: Top 10 reasons for failing the driving test, Driving test faults and your result.

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The Most Common Reasons People Fail Their Driving Test