Is Forgetting to Indicate a Major Mistake in Your Driving Test?

You’re on your driving test. You’ve nailed the parallel parking, handled the roundabout like a pro, and even remembered to check your mirrors before pulling away. Then, just as you’re about to turn right onto a quiet street, you forget to signal. You don’t even realize it until the examiner gives you a long look. Was that it? Did you just fail because you forgot to indicate?

The short answer: yes, it can be. But not always. It depends on when, how, and why you forgot.

Why Indicating Matters More Than You Think

Indicators aren’t just a formality. They’re a communication tool. Every time you signal, you’re telling other road users what you’re about to do. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers rely on that information to stay safe. In New Zealand, where rural roads and narrow streets are common, a missed signal can force someone to brake suddenly or swerve into danger.

The Driving Test Standards from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) clearly state that you must use signals correctly and in good time. But they also say that not every missed signal is an automatic fail. It’s about context.

When Forgetting to Indicate Is a Fail

Here’s when examiners will mark you down as a fail:

• You turn left or right without signaling - no exceptions. Even if the road looks empty, you still need to signal.
• You change lanes without signaling. This includes merging onto a highway or moving over to let a bus in.
• You signal incorrectly - like signaling left when you’re turning right. This is worse than no signal at all because it misleads others.
• You forget to cancel your signal after turning. It’s a small thing, but it shows you’re not fully aware of your surroundings.
• You forget to signal at a roundabout when you’re taking the second or third exit. Many learners think roundabouts don’t need signals, but they do - and getting this wrong is one of the top reasons people fail.

In Wellington, where narrow streets and heavy tram traffic are common, a missed signal at a junction near the CBD can cause real disruption. Examiners are trained to watch for these patterns. If you do it once, they might give you a warning. If you do it twice, especially under pressure, you’re likely to fail.

When It Might Not Be a Fail

There are rare cases where forgetting to indicate won’t cost you the test:

• You’re going straight ahead at a junction where no turn is required. No signal needed.
• You’re pulling over to the curb in a clearly safe spot, and the road is completely clear. If you forgot to signal but there was zero risk to anyone, the examiner might just note it as a minor fault.
• You briefly forget, then correct it immediately - like realizing you didn’t signal, then quickly turning it on before the turn. This shows awareness and control.

But here’s the catch: even if it’s not a fail, it’s still a fault. And if you’ve already got one or two other minor faults, this one could push you over the edge.

What Examiners Really Look For

It’s not about perfection. It’s about awareness. Examiners aren’t trying to trick you. They’re looking for:

• Consistency - do you signal every time, without having to be reminded?
• Timing - do you signal early enough for others to react?
• Confidence - do you signal without hesitation, or do you look unsure?

One common pattern we see in Wellington: learners signal correctly on highways but forget on quiet residential streets. They think, “No one’s around, why bother?” That’s exactly the mindset that gets people failed. The examiner doesn’t care if the road is empty. They care if you’re following the rules.

How to Stop Forgetting - For Good

Here’s a simple habit that works for 9 out of 10 people who’ve passed after failing for this reason:

1. Use the ‘Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre’ routine every single time - no shortcuts.
2. Make your signal the first action before any change in direction or lane.
3. Practice with a mirror. After each turn, ask yourself: ‘Did I signal?’ If you’re unsure, you didn’t.
4. Record your practice drives. Watch them back. You’ll be shocked how often you miss signals.
5. Use a mental checklist: ‘Am I turning? Am I changing lanes? Am I pulling over?’ If yes, signal.

Some learners use a physical reminder - like taping a small note to the steering wheel that says ‘SIGNAL?’ It sounds silly, but it works. Muscle memory isn’t built by hoping you’ll remember. It’s built by repeating the right action until it’s automatic.

What to Do If You Forget During the Test

If you realize mid-test that you forgot to signal:

• Don’t panic. Don’t overcorrect and swerve.
• If it’s safe and you’re still approaching the turn, signal now - even if it’s late.
• If you’ve already turned, keep driving. Don’t try to undo it.
• Stay calm and focus on the next maneuver. One mistake doesn’t define the whole test.

Examiners appreciate drivers who stay composed. If you handle the mistake calmly and continue safely, they’ll often give you a second chance.

Real Example: The Wellington Roundabout

One student I worked with failed her test because she forgot to signal at the Kelburn roundabout. She was turning right, but the signal didn’t come on. She thought she was fine because no cars were coming. The examiner noted: ‘Failure to indicate at roundabout - risk of collision with unseen vehicle from left.’

She retook the test three weeks later. She practiced that roundabout 12 times in a row. She used a sticky note on her dash: ‘Roundabout? Signal!’ She passed.

It wasn’t luck. It was repetition.

Final Rule: Signal Every Time - No Exceptions

Forget the ‘maybe’, the ‘probably’, the ‘no one’s around’. In New Zealand’s driving test, the rule is simple: if you’re changing direction or lane, you signal. Full stop.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being predictable. Other road users need to know what you’re doing. That’s the whole point.

If you’re preparing for your test, make signaling your default. Don’t wait to remember. Make it happen before you even think about moving the wheel.

One test, one signal, one life saved. That’s what it’s really about.