The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) driving test for car drivers is about 40 minutes long. During this time the examiner will try to ensure that you cover a wide variety of different road conditions. From quiet low speed roads to busy high-speed roads and town or city centre driving. You will also be required to undertake several set manoeuvres. The examiner may require you to undertake two of the following manoeuvres and optionally the emergency stop:

- Reverse parking behind a parked car or into a parking bay.
- Reversing round a corner.
- Turn in the road

During the test the examiner will tell you in good time which way to go. If you go the wrong way do not panic the examiner is testing your ability to drive not your ability to follow directions. It is better to go the wrong way correctly than to go the right way incorrectly.
If at any time you are unsure what the examiner requires do not hesitate to check what he or she wants; the examiner appreciates that you may be nervous and will be happy to repeat any instructions or clarify any instructions given.

While you are driving the examiner will note any driving faults on the driving test report form (DL25). The driving faults are categorised into minor, serious and dangerous and are recorded against the appropriate headings shown below. Each fault is denoted by a slash '/' in the appropriate box. At the end of the test the examiner will total up the number of minor driving faults under each heading and overall. If you commit 16 or more minor driving faults you will unfortunately fail the driving test. If you commit one or more serious or dangerous driving faults you will also fail the test. Even if you feel you have failed the test you should continue to try, as the test will help you to identify where you need more practice. At the end of this web page we have listed all the common driving faults committed by learners under each of these headings. By checking through the list you may find some that you are guilty of.

Booking the driving test

You can obtain a driving test application form (DL26) from your driving instructor, any driving or theory test centre or by telephoning the driving test enquiry line on 0870 0101 372, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Welsh speakers can also book on 0870 0100 372. If you are deaf and need a minicom machine telephone 0870 0106 372. If you are able to pay by credit or debit card you can book a driving test appointment direct on the same numbers without the need to complete an application form. You will however, need to quote your driver number from your provisional driving licence, your theory test pass certificate number and your driving school code if you are being trained by a professional driving instructor. Upon booking you will be given a booking number and sent an appointment card as confirmation within a few days.
You can also book online see DSA web page.

Cancelling a test
You are required to give a minimum of three clear working days notice of your decision to cancel or postpone your test; otherwise you will lose your test fee. If you are unwell on the day of the test and can get a doctor to verify this, the DSA will refund the test fee.
Special requirements

The DSA are required to make every effort to ensure that all candidates can take the driving test. However, it is important that you discuss your needs with them when booking the test.
If you cannot speak English or are deaf you are allowed to bring an interpreter with you who must be at least 16 years of age and cannot be a driving instructor.
If you are disabled you will receive the same test, however, more time will be allocated so that you can explain the nature of your disability and describe any special adaptations fitted to your vehicle.

At the test centre

You must take the following items with you to the test centre.
1. Your theory test pass certificate;
2. Both parts of your signed photocard driving licence or your signed driving licence and photographic identification.

Acceptable forms of photographic identification include:
Your photocard driving licence.
Your passport, which doesn't have to be a British passport.
An employers identity or workplace pass bearing your photograph and name or signature or both.
Trade union card bearing your photograph and signature.
School Bus Pass bearing the name of the issuing authority and your photograph and signature.
A signed photograph, together with a suitable statement (as shown opposite) from a recognised figure of authority. Acceptable figures who can certify you as being the named person include: Approved Driving Instructor, Member of Parliament, medical practitioner, teacher (qualified), Justice of the Peace, police officer, civil servant (established), bank official, minister of religion, barrister or solicitor.

It is extremely important that you arrive in good time at the test centre so that the above documents can be checked. If you arrive after the start time you will not be allowed to sit the test and you will lose your test fee.

Your test vehicle
The vehicle you intend to drive must be legally roadworthy, has a current MOT certificate if over the prescribed age and be fully covered by insurance for its present use and for you to drive. The driver will be asked to sign a declaration that the cars insurance is in order. The test will not be conducted if you are unwilling to do this. Hire cars are unlikely to be insured for this purpose.
Your test vehicle should also display a valid tax disc and L-plates or alternatively D-plates in Wales to the front and the rear. Your vehicle must also have a properly fitted head restraint and a fully functioning seat belt fitted to the front passenger seat, and an additional interior rear-view mirror for suitable use by the examiner. If you overlook any of the above your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee.
Saturday and evening tests

Some test centres operate Saturday tests and in summer, when it is light, evening test at an extra cost.

Common driving faults committed by learners

The following notes are designed to help you pin point any driving faults that you regularly commit. The faults are listed in the order in which they would be marked on the examiners Driving test Report (DL25).

The degree of seriousness of each individual fault will be totally dependent on the prevailing conditions at the time. When other road users are affected, a minor fault can immediately become a serious one. Dangerous faults will only be recorded when either the driving examiner or when another road user has been forced to take evasive action to avoid danger.

FAILING THE REQUIREMENTS OF EYESIGHT test:

Unable to read a number plate at 67 feet or 20.5 meters which is about 5 car lengths.
TAKE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE:
Jumping forward while attempting to start the engine with the car in gear.
Rolling backwards or forwards while attempting to restart the engine.

FAULTS USING CONTROLS:

ACCELERATOR:
Excessive pressure causing wheel spin.
Erratic pressure causing surging.
Not removing pressure while changing gear.
Applying pressure too soon after changing gear.

CLUTCH:
Jerky control.
Lack of control.
Releases too quickly.
Riding the pedal.
Not pressing fully to the floor.
Not used when stopping.

HANDBRAKE:
Not applying when necessary
Not releasing properly.
Moving away with it partially on.
Not applying properly.
Applying on the move.
Rolling backwards or forward after stopping.

GEARS:
Incorrect gear selection.
Reluctant to select higher gears.
Labours the engine.
Does not match gear with road speed.
Excessive speed in gear.
Unnecessary gear changes.
Used to reduce speed instead of brakes.
Selected too soon for hazards.
Selected too late for hazards.
Coasting with clutch down.
Coasting in neutral.

FOOTBRAKE:
Not used when required.
Late use on approach to hazards.
Harsh use by pressing too fiercely.

STEERING:
Incorrect hand position on the wheel.
Losing control by crossing hands.
Allowing wheel to spin back after turning.
Retaining hand on the gear lever for too long.
Removes both hands from steering wheel.
Overshooting right turns.
Over steers on corners.
Under steers on corners.
Steering with the right arm on the window ledge.
Striking kerb when stopping.

FAULTS WHEN MOVING AWAY:

SAFETY:
No attempt to look around.
Lack of observation ahead and to the rear.
Moves away when unsafe.

UNDER CONTROL:
Stalls the engine.
Moving away at too high a speed.
Rolls back.

FAULTS WHEN STOPPPING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY:

PROMPTLY:
Slow reaction to signal.
Not stopping quickly enough.

UNDER CONTROL:
Uses footbrake and clutch together.
Clutch pedal used too soon.
Harsh application of footbrake.
Uses handbrake to stop.
Locks front or rear wheels.
Induces a skid by braking and steering at the same time.
Loses control by skidding.

FAULTS WHEN REVERSING INTO A LIMITED OPENING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT:

UNDER CONTROL:
Poor Clutch control.
Stalls the engine.
Excessive acceleration.
Footbrake not used when required.
Erratic use of steering.
Touches kerb.
Mounts pavement.
Over centre of the side road.
Unable to enter side road.
Too far from kerb at completion.
Car not parallel to the kerb.

WITH PROPER OBSERVATION:
Does not look out of rear window.
Does not take all around observation throughout.
Uses nearside door mirror for observation.
Does not observe other road users.
Does not give way to other road users.
Does not pull forwards to allow vehicle to emerge from the side road.

FAULTS WHEN TURNING IN THE ROAD:

UNDER CONTROL:
Poor clutch control.
Stalls the engine.
Excessive acceleration.
Harsh use of footbrake.
Not applying the handbrake properly.
Strikes kerbs with front or rear wheels.
Mounts pavement with front or rear wheels.
Overhangs the kerb with front or rear of car.
Unable to complete exercise within five moves.
Turns the steering wheel in the wrong direction.
No attempt to correct steering on forward or reverse moves.

WITH PROPER OBSERVATION:
Lack of all round observation before moving.
Moves forwards or backwards when unsafe to do so.
Does not look to the rear while reversing.
Only looks back over one shoulder while reversing.
Lack of all round observation during each movement.
Continues with movement, does not give way to passing traffic.
Does not allow pedestrians to proceed safely on the pavements.

FAULTS WHEN REVERSE PARKING:

UNDER CONTROL:
Poor clutch control.
Stalls the engine.
Excessive acceleration.
Insufficient or excessive steering.
Harsh use of footbrake.
Too close to parked car.
Strikes the kerb with front or rear nearside wheel.
Too far away from the left hand kerb at completion.
Car finishes up at an angle to the kerb.
Unable to complete within two car lengths.

WITH PROPER OBSERVATION:
Does not take all round observation before exercise.
Does not look out of rear window while reversing.
Uses door mirror to observe while reversing.
Ignores passing traffic and does not give way.
Reverses back with pedestrians passing by on the pavement at rear.

FAULTS NOT MAKING EFFECTIVE USE OF MIRROR(S) WELL BEFORE:

SIGNALLING:
Does not use Mirror Signal Manoeuvre routine.
Signals before using mirrors.
Looks and signals at the same time.
Does not take appropriate action after observing traffic in mirrors.
Signals regardless of following traffic situation.

CHANGING DIRECTION:
Does not consult mirrors before turning left.
Does not consult mirrors before turning right.
Does not consult mirrors before changing lanes.
Does not consult mirrors before overtaking.
Does not consult mirrors after overtaking.

CHANGING SPEED:
Does not consult mirrors before increasing speed.
Does not consult mirrors before reducing speed.
Does not consult mirrors before stopping.

FAULTS ON SIGNALS:

WHERE NECESSARY:
Omits signals when they could benefit other road users.

CORRECTLY:
Gives signals in the wrong direction.
Gives misleading signals.
Does not cancel signals after completion of manoeuvre.
Using any signal not in the highway code.

PROPERLY TIMED:
Give signals too early.
Gives signals too late.
Signals for too short a period of time.
Signals for too long a period of time.

FAULTS WHEN NOT TAKING CORRECT AND PROMPT ACTION ON ALL:

TRAFFIC SIGNS:
Disregards speed limit signs.
Does not obey mandatory signs.
Ignores warning signs.
Ignores prohibiting signs.

ROAD MARKINGS:
Does not act in accordance with lane direction arrows.
Crosses or straddles double white lines.
Drives in bus lanes at prohibited times.
Parks on double yellow lines.
Disregards box junction markings.
Stops on worded markings such as "Keep Clear".
Parks on zig-zag lines.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS:
Attempts to drive through a red light.
Does not stop on amber when it was safe to do so.
Drives away on red and amber.
Proceeds on green light when unsafe to do so.

FAULTS WHEN NOT TAKING CORRECT AND PROMPT ACTION ON ALL SIGNALS BY:

TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS:
Disregards signals given by police or a traffic warden.
Disregards signals given by a person in charge of road works with Stop/Go sign.
Disregards signal given by School Crossing Patrol.

OTHER ROAD USERS:
Disregards clearly given signals by other drivers.

FAULTS WHEN NOT EXERCISING PROPER CARE IN THE USE OF SPEED:

Drives in excess of the speed limit.
Drives at a speed which is too fast for the road and traffic conditions.

FAULTS WHEN FOLLOWING BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE:
Drives too close to large vehicles ahead.
Does not attempt the two second rule.
Drives closer than thinking distance in heavy traffic.
Stops too close to vehicles ahead in traffic queues.

FAULTS WHEN MAKING PROGRESS BY:

DRIVING AT A SPEED APPROPRIATE TO THE ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS:
Crawls along at slow speeds on clear roads.
Makes no attempt to achieve maximum speeds for the road when safe to do so.
Reduces speed excessively when the conditions do not merit doing so.
Makes slow progress through the gears in normal driving.

AVOIDING UNDUE HESITANCY:
Makes predetermined stops at junctions and other hazards.
Waits unnecessarily when it is safe to proceed at junctions.
Waits for green light at Pedestrian Crossings when clear on flashing amber.
Waits for other drivers, who are clearly giving way.

ACT PROPERLY AT ROAD JUNCTION WITH REGARD TO:

SPEED ON APPROACH:
Approaches at too high a speed.
Approaches at too slow a speed.

FAULTS WHEN NOT TAKING OBSERVATION:
Only looks in one direction at junctions before emerging.
Looks in both directions after emerging.
Does not look in the direction of travel while emerging.
Takes no observation whatsoever at unmarked crossroads.
Emerges at too slow a speed.
Emerges when traffic is too close or too fast.
Emerges into the path of approaching traffic.

FAULTS ON POSITIONING:

POSITION BEFORE TURNING RIGHT:
Positions over centre lines.
Positions left of centre in narrow roads.
Does not position near enough to centre lines.
Does not move into protected centre lane.
Does not use right hand lane, when one is available.
Does not proceed far enough forward when giving way to oncoming traffic.
Does not move out to centre of the side road when turning right at traffic lights.
Sits behind stop line at green light, with room to move forwards.

POSITION BEFORE TURNING LEFT:
Too far from left hand kerb on the approach.
Swings out to the right on the approach.
Too close to the kerb on approach.
Drives over the kerb with rear nearside wheel.

CUTTING RIGHT HAND CORNERS:
Cuts across onto the wrong side of side road while turning the corner.


DURING NORMAL DRIVING:
Drives too close to the left hand kerb.
Drives too far out towards the middle of the road.

EXERCISE LANE DISCIPLINE:
Chooses incorrect lane when proceeding ahead at roundabouts or traffic lights.
Straddles lane markings.
Wanders back and forwards from one lane to the other.

ALLOW ADEQUATE CLEARANCE TO STATIONARY VEHICLES:
Drives too close to the rear of stationary vehicles before pulling out.
Drives too close to the side of stationary vehicles while driving past.
Cuts back to the left too soon after passing stationary vehicles.

SELECT A SAFE POSITION FOR NORMAL STOPS:
Stopping in an unsafe or inconvenient location.
Blocking an entrance or driveway when stopping.
Causing an obstruction to other road users.
Stopping too far away from the pavement.
Stopping with one or more wheels on the pavement.

FAULTS WHEN DEALING WITH OTHER VEHICLES SAFELY WHEN:

OVERTAKING:
Attempts to overtake in an unsafe location.
Attempts to overtake when traffic conditions make it unsafe to do so.
Takes too long a time and distance to carry out manoeuvre.
Does not give enough clearance to other vehicles.
Cuts back in too soon after overtaking.

MEETING:
Causes oncoming traffic to slow down or stop.
Drives on towards other vehicles when other vehicles have priority.

CROSSING THEIR PATH:
Inconveniences oncoming road users by cutting across in front of them.

FAULTS AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS:

Does not reduce speed on the approach when vision is restricted.
Approaches at too high a speed with pedestrians on crossing.
Overtaking on zig-zag lines on approach.
Not giving precedence to pedestrians on a crossing.
Not stopping at give way or stop lines when necessary.
Not acting in accordance with the traffic lights controlling the crossing.
Harassing pedestrians.
Waving pedestrians over a crossing.
Moving away before pedestrians have crossed over in front of the car.
Attempting to proceed when unsafe to do so.
Stopping on the actual crossing.

FAULTS RE SHOWING AWARENESS AND ANTICIPATION OF THE ACTIONS OF:

OTHER ROAD USERS:
Not anticipating that pedestrians are about to cross the road at any time.
Not giving way to pedestrians at junctions or pedestrian crossings.
Not anticipating that cyclists may be passing on the left or right.
Not anticipating that cyclists are about to make a change of direction.
Not anticipating or showing awareness of direction signals given by other drivers.
Not anticipating or showing awareness of vehicles displaying hazard flashers.
Not anticipating or showing awareness of vehicles reversing lights.
Not anticipating or showing awareness of brake lights on other vehicles.
Not anticipating the actions of other drivers changing speed or direction.

FAULTS RE USE OF ANCILLARY CONTROLS:

Only applicable if the driver requires to use them in addition to the normal controls.
Not operating the front or rear windscreen wipers or washers when required.
Not operating the side or headlamp controls when required.
Not operating the horn when required.
Not operating the heated rear screen control when required.
Not operating the demister controls when required.
Not operating the hazard warning light when required.