Road Test Errors Allowed: What You Can Get Away With on Your UK HGV Test

When you’re preparing for your UK HGV driving test, the practical exam that determines if you can legally operate a heavy goods vehicle in the UK. Also known as Class 1 licence test, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being safe and in control. The DVSA doesn’t expect you to drive like a robot. You’re allowed some small mistakes. But knowing which ones are forgivable and which will cost you the test is the difference between passing and having to book again.

Most candidates focus on avoiding big errors like hitting the kerb or failing to check mirrors, but the real secret is understanding how the scoring works. There are three types of faults: driving faults (minor), serious faults, and dangerous faults. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass, as long as you don’t get even one serious or dangerous one. A driving fault, a small mistake that doesn’t immediately put anyone at risk. Also known as minor fault, it’s something like not using indicators clearly or hesitating too long at a junction. These add up, but they won’t fail you. A serious fault, a mistake that could have caused an accident if conditions were slightly different. Also known as major fault, it’s something like pulling out without checking blind spots or misjudging a gap in heavy traffic—that’s an automatic fail. And a dangerous fault, an action that actually endangered someone. Also known as critical fault, it’s like forcing another vehicle to swerve or stopping in the middle of a roundabout—no second chances.

What trips people up isn’t the big moves—it’s the small ones they ignore. Forgetting to check your nearside mirror before pulling away. Not using the correct gear on a steep hill. Not adjusting your seat or mirrors before starting. These aren’t flashy mistakes, but examiners notice them. And if you make five or six of them in one test, you’re over the limit. The 3-second rule, a simple method to maintain safe following distance. Also known as time gap rule, it’s one of the most frequently checked items on the test isn’t just theory—it’s a live requirement. If you’re tailgating, even by a little, you’re risking a fault. Same with using both feet while driving an automatic. It’s not illegal, but it’s a red flag for examiners because it increases the chance of sudden braking. They want to see smooth, controlled inputs.

Some mistakes are obvious—like missing a traffic light. Others are sneaky. Did you know that not checking your mirrors before changing direction, even if you’re not turning, counts as a fault? Or that stopping too far from the curb after parking can be marked down? These aren’t about skill—they’re about awareness. And that’s what the test is really measuring: whether you’re thinking ahead, not just reacting.

You’ll find posts below that dig into exactly what examiners watch for, how to avoid common traps, and what real test-takers got wrong. Whether it’s the 3-second rule, how to handle automatic transmissions, or what counts as a serious fault, these guides give you the real talk—not the textbook version. No fluff. Just what you need to walk out of that test with a pass.