Top 10 Reasons People Fail the Driving Test (DVSA Data)

The most common reason for failing the UK driving test is not making effective observations at junctions, followed by not using mirrors correctly when changing direction and not moving off safely. That's according to DVSA's list of the top 10 reasons for failing between April 2024 and March 2025. Nearly all of them come down to observation, positioning and control, so they can be fixed with targeted practice.

Only just under half of tests end in a pass (48.9% in July to September 2024, according to DVSA statistics), so knowing where others go wrong is a real advantage.

The top 10 reasons for failing the driving test

Below, we explain what each one looks like on test and how to fix it.

1. Junction observations

What goes wrong: emerging from a side road without looking both ways properly, not spotting a cyclist or motorcyclist, or misjudging how fast an approaching car is going.

How to fix it:

• Slow down early on the approach so you have time to look.
• At a closed junction with poor visibility, creep forward slowly until you can see, then look again.
• Look right, left and right again, and make the last look count. Check for smaller road users specifically.
• Only go when you have a safe gap, not a hopeful one.

2. Mirrors when changing direction

What goes wrong: signalling or moving across before checking the mirrors, or looking without acting on what you see.

How to fix it: use the Mirrors–Signal–Manoeuvre routine every time, and remember it's not enough to glance; you must act on what the mirrors show. Our guide to mirrors and blind spots covers it step by step.

3. Moving off safely

What goes wrong: pulling away from the kerb, on a hill or from behind a parked car without checking the blind spot, or pulling out in front of someone.

How to fix it: before moving off, check all mirrors and look over your right shoulder for the blind spot, signal if anyone would benefit, then check again just before you move. Practise hill starts until clutch control feels automatic.

4. Positioning when turning right

What goes wrong: staying too far left when turning right into a side road, or using the wrong lane at a roundabout.

How to fix it: position just left of the centre line (or in the right-turn lane) in good time, and follow lane markings. For roundabouts, read how to drive on roundabouts.

5. Traffic lights

What goes wrong: going through on red, stopping beyond the stop line, or sitting still on green when it's clear to go.

How to fix it: plan your approach so you can stop if the lights change, and look past the lights for queues or pedestrians. Remember that green means go if the way is clear, not "go regardless".

6. Steering control

What goes wrong: steering too early and clipping the kerb, steering too late and swinging wide, or not steering enough to clear parked cars.

How to fix it: keep your speed down before a turn, look where you want to go, and use smooth, controlled hand movements. Quiet car parks and estates are good places to practise.

7. Road markings

What goes wrong: ignoring lane arrows, crossing solid white lines, straddling lanes, or entering a box junction when your exit isn't clear.

How to fix it: read the road surface well ahead, choose your lane early and stay in it.

8. Traffic signs

What goes wrong: missing a stop sign, a no-entry sign, a bus lane restriction or a change of speed limit.

How to fix it: practise commentary driving and call out every sign you see. Revise sign shapes and colours with our guide to UK traffic signs, and check UK speed limits.

9. Normal road positioning

What goes wrong: driving too close to the kerb or the centre line, staying in the right lane on a dual carriageway after overtaking, or cutting across unmarked roundabouts.

How to fix it: aim for a steady position roughly in the middle of your lane, and move back to the left lane after overtaking.

10. Speed

What goes wrong: going over the limit, but also driving too slowly where it's safe to make progress, which can hold up traffic and cause others to take risks.

How to fix it: keep checking your speedometer, look for limit signs, and drive at a speed that suits the road and conditions. The limit is a maximum, not a target.

How to use this list before your test

1. Ask your instructor for an honest review against these 10 areas.
2. Book mock tests where your instructor marks faults like an examiner.
3. Work on patterns, not one-offs. Repeating the same minor fault can become a serious fault.
4. Only book when you're ready. DVSA says that if you regularly make these mistakes in lessons or practice, you're not ready for your test.

Read the practical driving test explained for how the test is structured and how faults are marked.

Summary

Most fails come from observation at junctions, mirror use and moving off safely, followed by positioning, lights, steering, markings, signs and speed. Build solid routines for each and ask your instructor to test you on them before the big day.

Practise with Co-Drive

Co-Drive is an iOS app with a full mock drive marked the GB way (up to 15 driving faults, no serious or dangerous faults), step-by-step lessons on junctions, mirrors and manoeuvres, and spaced review of your weak areas. It isn't affiliated with the DVSA and doesn't replace your instructor. Find out more.