Serious Fault on Your Driving Test: What It Means and How to Avoid It

If you've ever heard an examiner say "serious fault", you probably wondered how big a deal it is. In simple terms, a serious fault is a mistake that could put people at risk if it happens on the road. It’s not just a tiny slip‑up; it’s something the examiner expects you to correct right away.

During a HGV or car test, you can collect a few minor faults without penalty, but serious faults are counted differently. Most UK driving tests allow only one serious fault before the test is automatically failed. Some specialist HGV exams may have stricter rules, but the principle stays the same: one serious error and you’re out.

Common Causes of Serious Faults

Knowing what triggers a serious fault helps you stay clear of it. Typical examples include:

• Failing to give way to pedestrians at a crossing.
• Driving onto the wrong side of the road or into a bus lane.
• Ignoring a traffic signal or stop sign.
• Taking a turn that endangers other road users, like cutting across on a sharp bend.
• Not controlling the vehicle properly on a hill start, causing a roll‑back.

Each of these mistakes could lead to an accident, which is why they’re flagged as serious.

Practical Tips to Keep Serious Faults at Bay

Here are no‑nonsense actions you can take right now:

1. Plan your route. Know where zebra crossings, roundabouts and traffic lights are. When you see them, you’re less likely to be surprised.
2. Use the mirror check routine. Before any lane change or turn, glance left, right and centre. Making this a habit removes many serious errors.
3. Stay in the correct lane. On dual carriageways, keep to the left unless overtaking. On motorways, stay in the middle or right unless you need to pass.
4. Practice hill starts. Find a quiet slope and rehearse the clutch‑biting technique. Controlling the vehicle on a hill is a common source of serious faults.
5. Give pedestrians priority. Treat every crossing as a potential waiting area. Slow down, look both ways, and stop when needed.

Another key is to stay calm. Nervousness can make you miss a sign or forget a step. Take deep breaths, focus on the road, and remember the examiner is looking for safe, consistent driving, not perfection.

After each practice session, ask your instructor to point out any moves that felt risky. Even if they’re not classified as serious faults yet, early correction prevents them from becoming major problems on test day.

Finally, review the official HGV or car test handbook before the exam. The handbook lists the exact criteria for serious faults, and familiarising yourself with the language makes the examiner’s feedback easier to understand.

In short, a serious fault is any mistake that could endanger others, and you usually get only one chance. By planning routes, mastering mirror checks, staying in the right lane, practicing hill starts, and always giving pedestrians priority, you dramatically lower the odds of getting that costly error. Keep these habits in your daily driving, and you’ll go into the test with confidence, not fear.