What are the most common reasons why people fail the driving test? Have you asked yourself this questions?
Find below 12 Practical Reasons Why People Fail the Driving Test! All you need to know. Stop wasting time and money. Pass your Driving Test the first time!
And as a bonus, just in case it’s a dark or heavily overcast day when you take your test, you may also want to check out our blog on how to deal with dazzling drivers.
Over the years very little has changed regarding how people fail the driving test.  Even the overall pass rates for the driving test has changed very little.
Here is a break down of the top reasons why people fail the driving test in the UK.

1- Mirrors

Check your mirrors constantly specially before changing lanes. You can fail your driving test by not checking those little mirrors on the side doors. It’s also important for drivers to use their rearview mirror, especially when moving the car in reverse gear. Rearview mirrors can also aid in changing lanes.
You can fail your driving test by not checking your side mirrors and rear view mirror

2 – Junctions

Observation is the big one here, and it is mostly coming out of a minor road on to a major road if you can’t see clearly then do the peep and creep method, come out a little at a time.
Check Junctions clearly so you can pass your driving test

3 – Positioning

Means that people are not in the correct position. When driving on the left you should always position your car one metre from the left or from a parked car on the left. if someone opens the door of a parked car as you are driving past you will not hit them. The first rule of driving in the UK is to drive on the left. The right-hand lanes are for overtaking.
Position your car correctly during your driving test will increase your chances to pass your driving test

4 – Moving off

Control of the car is the upmost importance, do not let the car roll back, get the biting point first before trying to move off on a hill.
Control of the car is the upmost importance, do not let the car roll back, get the biting point first before trying to move off on a hill.

5 – Move off safely

 Not checking the blind spots and mirrors is the big one here, always check before moving off.

6 – Steering Control

Poor steering control is one the reasons why pupils fail their driving test. You need to develop a uniform way of turning. Steering control is the big one here, steering to soon or too much is mainly what happens but some times people steer too late.
The main reasons to fail your driving test are:
Swerving, swinging to the right or left on your turns, swinging too far out into the street when pulling out of a parking spot, an apparent loss of control of the vehicle when doing certain manoeuvres, sloppy steering and poor hand position on the steering wheel.

 

Lack of steering control and poor hand position is one of the main reasons why pupils fail their driving test

7 – Respond to signals

Traffic signs, what is meant here is where the road markings or signs are saying the left lane is for left only and the right lane is for right only, people miss the signs simply because they are not continuously looking out for those signs.

Pupils missing the signs simply because they are not continuously looking out for those signs is one of the reasons to fail your driving test

8 – Reverse Park

Another control issue, it simply means that on the reverse park people are hitting the kerb or stopping too far away, you should not be more than a foot or so away from the kerb when you have finished parking. If you feel you might be about to hit the kerb stop and correct the manoeuvre.

9 – Respond to signals at traffic lights

This happens a lot where you have an extra light on the traffic lights system, where it shows turn left or turn right only arrows,  be alert at traffic lights, even though the car is not moving you are still driving the car and controlling the car.

Respond to signals at traffic lights

10 – Junctions, Turning right

Mostly coming from a major road to a minor road, give yourself more time to do this safely, and sometimes it can be from minor roads turning right onto major roads, again the key is to give yourself more time.

 Junctions, Turning right

11 – Progress

Making progress is another major issue on the driving test, it is where you take too long to pick up speed when joining a new road, try and keep up with the flow of traffic.

 

Car is not making much progress in traffic - photo 1
Car is not making much progress in traffic - photo 2

The blue car joined a new road and it’s taking too long to pick up speed 

12 – Speed

Going to slow for the traffic or breaking the speed limit. Do not assume what you think the speed limit is, always keep your eyes peeled for changes to the speed limit. Joining a new road where the speed limit changes are the one that catches people out.

Car is slow in speed in traffic - photo 1
Car is slow in speed in traffic - photo 2

The blue car above is too slow. It’s going about 19 mph on a 30 mph road

On a happier note, there are a lot more people passing the driving test with zero faults which means people are getting better prepared for the test. I m assuming the reason you are reading this is that you have a driving test coming up. If so may we wish you every success on your driving test!

Related links

Intensive Courses offers intensive driving courses in many areas of London and the Uk. Most postcodes covered.

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Last updated: 12/03/2024

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