Major Faults in Driving Tests – What They Are and How to Avoid Them

When you sit for a driving test, the examiner is watching for any mistake that could be unsafe. Those serious slips are called major faults. One major fault can be enough to fail, so knowing them inside out can be a game‑changer.

Common Major Faults You’ll See on the Test

Not every slip is a major fault. Here are the ones that usually tip the balance to a fail:

• Dangerous manoeuvres: Cutting corners, not checking blind spots, or pulling out into traffic without proper observation.
• Failure to stop: Ignoring a stop sign or red traffic light, even briefly.
• Incorrect stopping distance: Braking too late at a hazard or not leaving enough room for the car ahead.
• Improper use of mirrors: Not checking mirrors before changing speed or direction.
• Excessive speed: Going over the limit or driving too fast for the road conditions.

These are the big red flags. If the examiner notes any of them, you’ll walk away with a ‘major fault’ on your sheet.

How to Prevent Major Faults and Pass with Confidence

Prevention starts long before the test day. Here’s a practical checklist you can follow:

1. Practice the basics every lesson: Start each session by reviewing mirror checks, signalling, and checking blind spots. Make them second nature.
2. Do mock tests: Simulate the real test environment. Ask your instructor to give you feedback on any major fault‑type behaviour.
3. Slow down on tricky sections: When you approach a roundabout, junction or narrow road, reduce speed a little. It gives you more time to think and act safely.
4. Use the “look‑check‑act” routine: Look for hazards, check mirrors, decide, then act. Saying it out loud helps reinforce the habit.
5. Review your test report: After each practice, read the examiner’s notes. Spot patterns – maybe you’re missing mirror checks on right‑hand turns.

Remember, it’s not about memorising a list of faults; it’s about building safe habits that you’ll use every day on the road.

On the day of the test, keep calm, breathe, and focus on the process rather than the outcome. If you catch yourself about to breach a rule, correct it immediately – the examiner will see the correction and may not mark it as a major fault.

Bottom line: major faults are avoidable. Treat every drive as a chance to practice safe, deliberate actions, and you’ll walk out of the test centre with a pass.