Did you know?

Top 10 reasons to fail the driving test

This information is provided by the DVSA April 2021.

  1. Junctions (observation)
  2. Mirrors – (change direction)
  3. Control (steering)
  4. Junctions (turning right)
  5. Move off (safely)
  6. Response to signals (traffic lights)
  7. Move off (control)
  8. Positioning (normal driving)
  9. Response to signals (road markings)
  10. Reverse park (control)

MYTH 1

It is a myth that driving examiners are only allowed to pass a certain number of pupils per week. This is just not true. Perhaps this myth originates with those embarrassed by failure trying to come up with a convincing reason for family and friends. If you are up to driving test standard you will pass. It’s not meant to be easy, and the fact is that over 50% of candidates are just not up to the standard required. Driving examiners don’t fail you: you fail yourself.

MYTH 2

People say that driving examiners enjoy failing learner drivers. Examiners are professionals: their personal feelings do not enter into their assessment of you. Also, they have their bosses to report to - an unusual or inexplicable number of passes or failures would be looked into. It’s easier for an examiner to give good news rather than bad, and a pass means less paperwork for them.

MYTH 3

It’s also a myth that there may be a particular examiner who has tested a pupil at the same test centre several times and failed them because they do not like them. It's easy to blame a ‘personality clash’ for failure, but again, driving examiners are professionals. Personal feelings or prejudices are irrelevant. An examiner whose work record showed an inclination to fail, for example women or a particular ethnic group, would soon be spotted. We would all like to blame someone else for our mistakes. The only way you will eventually pass is if you take responsibility for your performance and work hard to correct your faults.

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