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Failing Your Driving Test: Faults, Costs and What Happens Next
Understanding the fault system, knowing the common mistakes, and budgeting for retakes.
How the Scoring Works
Driving Faults (Minors)
15 max
You can still pass with up to 15
Serious Faults
0 allowed
1 serious fault = instant fail
Dangerous Faults
0 allowed
1 dangerous fault = instant fail
Driving faults (minors) are small errors that are not dangerous in isolation. Serious faults are errors that could potentially be dangerous. Dangerous faults are errors that actually cause danger. A repeated minor in the same category can be escalated to a serious fault at the examiner's discretion.
Top 10 Most Common Faults
Based on DVSA published data. If you can eliminate the top three categories, you avoid over 60% of the faults that cause people to fail.
| # | Fault category | % of fails |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junctions: observation Not looking properly before emerging at junctions | 26% |
| 2 | Mirrors: change direction Failing to check mirrors before turning, changing lanes, or overtaking | 20% |
| 3 | Control: steering Erratic steering, mounting kerbs, or poor wheel control | 14% |
| 4 | Moving off: safely Not checking blind spots or mirrors when pulling away | 12% |
| 5 | Positioning: normal driving Too far left, too far right, or straddling lanes | 11% |
| 6 | Response to signals: traffic signs Missing or misreading road signs, traffic lights, or road markings | 9% |
| 7 | Junctions: turning right Poor observation or positioning when turning right | 8% |
| 8 | Control: move off Stalling, rolling back, or poor clutch control | 7% |
| 9 | Use of speed Too fast or too slow for conditions | 6% |
| 10 | Reverse park Poor observation or accuracy during parking manoeuvres | 5% |
The Real Cost of Each Failed Attempt
Failing is not just another £62. You need extra lessons, another waiting period, and the stress of retaking.
| Component | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Retake test fee | £62 | £75 |
| Extra lessons (5 to 10 hours) | £150 | £450 |
| Cost per failed attempt | £212 | £525 |
Plus the time cost: 10 working days mandatory wait, then potentially weeks more for a new slot. Passing first time is by far the cheapest option.
What Happens Immediately After Failing
- 1
The examiner explains your faults
They will go through each fault on your results sheet and explain what went wrong. This is valuable feedback.
- 2
You receive a results sheet
Keep this. Share it with your instructor. It shows exactly which areas to work on before retaking.
- 3
You can rebook immediately
You can book your next test straight away, but the earliest date allowed is 10 working days from the failed attempt.
When to Rebook vs Get More Lessons
Rebook soon (with a few targeted lessons)
- You had 1 serious fault on something you normally do well
- Your instructor agrees it was a one-off
- You had very few minors otherwise
- You feel confident overall
Invest in 10+ more hours first
- You had multiple serious faults
- Your minors were spread across many categories
- You felt nervous and underprepared
- Your instructor suggests more practice
Theory test validity: Your theory test pass is valid for 2 years. If your theory expires between practical test attempts, you will need to retake (and pay for) the theory test again before booking another practical.