Driving test pass rates are calculated each year from April through to March, the following year. The current manual pass rate is 45.9 percent and with those choosing to take a test in a automatic, it’s even lower at 39.5 percent.
Pass rates have remained relatively consistent over the years, with the only change being that a greater number of candidates are choosing to take the test in an automatic car rather than manual. An additional consistency is the top 10 driving test failure reasons, with every year seeing driving tests failed for exactly the same reasons.
If you have knowledge on the most common reasons why candidates fail driving tests, you can practice to ensure that you avoid becoming another top 10 driving test failure statistic.
The top 10 test fails detailed below apply to both automatic and manual driving tests, though there are certain specific faults that apply to manual cars only. We’re going to start at number 1, being the most common reason to fail a driving test and work our way up to number 10.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 1: Observation at Junctions
Here we go into detail the number one most common reason to fail a driving test. Explained are the reasons why examiners fail test candidates due to observation at junctions and tips on how to avoid making the same mistakes.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 2: Not Using Mirrors Correctly
After junctions, the next most common reason to fail a driving test is due to not using the mirrors correctly. There are many ways to fail a driving test for not properly using the mirrors, but here we look at the most common reasons.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 3: Lack of Proper Steering Control
Moving onto the 3rd most common reason for driving test failures, is steering. This article covers the most common steering control related serious and dangerous faults that are marked by examiners.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 4: Positioning When Turning Right at Junctions
Onto the 4th most common reason for failing a driving test will see us taking a look at incorrect road positioning when turning right at junctions. Here we explain the fails, plus tips on how to avoid them.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 5: Not Moving Off Safely
Not moving off safely is often always due to a lack of appropriate observations and is the 5th most common reason for failing a driving test. Here we explain the reasons why examiners fail tests in this category.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 6: Traffic Lights
Now for number 6 in the top 10 most common driving test fails comes traffic lights. Here we explain why examiners fail test candidates at traffic lights, plus tips on how to prevent those dreaded faults.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 7: Road Positioning
Next on the top 10 list of driving test fails is poor road positioning during normal driving. Here we explain the most common reasons that examiners fails tests under the road positioning category, plus advice on how to avoid faults.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 8: Traffic Signs
At number 8 for the top 10 driving test fails we deal with traffic signs. This is where test candidates fails to act on traffic signs at all, respond incorrectly or act too late. Here we look at the reasons why examiners fail test candidate due to traffic signs.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 9: Lack of Control When Moving Off
A lack of observation when moving off is the top 5 reason for failing a driving test, still with moving off, the test fails are the result of a lack of control. Let’s look at the reasons why examiners fail learner drivers.
Top Driving Test Fails No. 10: Lack of Control When Reverse Parking
The final top 10 driving test fails is where the test candidate is carrying out a reversing manoeuvre. Here we explain the reasons why tests are failed during either the reverse bay parking manoeuvre or the parallel parking manoeuvre.