"Bot 10"
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These don't change much over time. In 2017, the DVSA (who set the practical test) said the10 commonest reasons for not passing were:
1. OBSERVING AT JUNCTIONS Take effective observations before you go. Most junctions have a permanently restricted ("closed") view. Even "open" ones can temporarily suffer obstructions to vision (parked cars, pedestrians, etc.). If in doubt, creep-&-peep until it is safe to move out. Common Fault — approaching too fast to have time for effective observations, or misjudging when it's safe to emerge (mainly from T-junctions or onto roundabouts) |
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2. PARALLEL PARK
Act correctly on what you see so, again, make observations and think about what's safest to do given what you saw. Accuracy isn't the most important criterion for success. Move slowly enough that you have time to keep fully alert all around. If you need to, adjust your position by moving slightly forward ... ideally just once. Common Fault — not making effective observations at each point of steering i.e. checking over your right side before the vehicle swings out
3. MIRRORS
Use your mirrors EFFECTIVELY, so you're up-to-date on what's around you and act on what you see. If you're already moving, before you change speed or direction, get info from your mirrors. If mirrors aren't enough (e.g. to see what's happening in "blind spots") look over your shoulder. Common Fault — signaling, or changing direction or speed, without checking mirrors. (Remember: "Eyes before fingers or feet")
4. MOVING OFF
Each time you're about to move away from the kerb, take EFFECTIVE observations. This means looking all around you to make sure it's safe to go. On the Test you'll be asked to do this on a level road, on an uphill or downhill gradient, and from a limited space of about a car length behind parked car. Common Fault — not checking the right "blind spot" (by looking over your shoulder, into the space your mirror can't show you)
Act correctly on what you see so, again, make observations and think about what's safest to do given what you saw. Accuracy isn't the most important criterion for success. Move slowly enough that you have time to keep fully alert all around. If you need to, adjust your position by moving slightly forward ... ideally just once. Common Fault — not making effective observations at each point of steering i.e. checking over your right side before the vehicle swings out
3. MIRRORS
Use your mirrors EFFECTIVELY, so you're up-to-date on what's around you and act on what you see. If you're already moving, before you change speed or direction, get info from your mirrors. If mirrors aren't enough (e.g. to see what's happening in "blind spots") look over your shoulder. Common Fault — signaling, or changing direction or speed, without checking mirrors. (Remember: "Eyes before fingers or feet")
4. MOVING OFF
Each time you're about to move away from the kerb, take EFFECTIVE observations. This means looking all around you to make sure it's safe to go. On the Test you'll be asked to do this on a level road, on an uphill or downhill gradient, and from a limited space of about a car length behind parked car. Common Fault — not checking the right "blind spot" (by looking over your shoulder, into the space your mirror can't show you)
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5. SIGNALS
Signal to other road users only in the ways the Highway Code describes, so they clearly show your intentions. Use signals to help them plan, or to warn them, so make sure they're in good time and cancelled once you've finished doing what they were for. Common Fault — signal too early or too late, or missed out when required |
6. POSITION
Your car should be correctly positioned at all times, that is normally positioned 1m from the left kerb or from an obstruction in your lane. Position tells other road users where you intend to go, as much as your signal. Common Fault – positioning the vehicle over the centre line when turning right, "cutting" over road markings
7. REVERSING ROUND A CORNER [no longer tested]
As with any low-speed manoeuvre, you need to control your car (direction and speed) while taking effective all-round observations. Faults can also include brushing or touching the kerb (minor), hitting or mounting it (serious), swinging out wide over the centre line, and failing to pause for other road users. Common Fault — looking mainly in the passenger door mirror instead of through the rear windscreen
8. STEERING
All controls should be used smoothly and at the correct time. This includes your control of direction. Faults comprise steering too early / too much (so making contact with the kerb), or too late / insufficiently (causing the car to come out of "normal position"). Common Fault — looking too long in one direction, so drifting off the normal line, e.g. at T-junctions, turning left but looking excessively to the right
9. TURNING THE CAR IN THE ROAD [no longer tested]
Usually the easiest of the reversing manoeuvres on a Test, but problematic if rushed. Again, EFFECTIVE observations while limiting the car's speed but changing its direction efficiently (i.e. briskly). Common Fault — not taking observations (or making good decision on what you see; that is, effective observation) before moving off after each stage. Note: you CAN use more than 3 stages to turn the car, but it's less efficient.
Your car should be correctly positioned at all times, that is normally positioned 1m from the left kerb or from an obstruction in your lane. Position tells other road users where you intend to go, as much as your signal. Common Fault – positioning the vehicle over the centre line when turning right, "cutting" over road markings
7. REVERSING ROUND A CORNER [no longer tested]
As with any low-speed manoeuvre, you need to control your car (direction and speed) while taking effective all-round observations. Faults can also include brushing or touching the kerb (minor), hitting or mounting it (serious), swinging out wide over the centre line, and failing to pause for other road users. Common Fault — looking mainly in the passenger door mirror instead of through the rear windscreen
8. STEERING
All controls should be used smoothly and at the correct time. This includes your control of direction. Faults comprise steering too early / too much (so making contact with the kerb), or too late / insufficiently (causing the car to come out of "normal position"). Common Fault — looking too long in one direction, so drifting off the normal line, e.g. at T-junctions, turning left but looking excessively to the right
9. TURNING THE CAR IN THE ROAD [no longer tested]
Usually the easiest of the reversing manoeuvres on a Test, but problematic if rushed. Again, EFFECTIVE observations while limiting the car's speed but changing its direction efficiently (i.e. briskly). Common Fault — not taking observations (or making good decision on what you see; that is, effective observation) before moving off after each stage. Note: you CAN use more than 3 stages to turn the car, but it's less efficient.
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10. APPROPRIATE SPEED
You must be able to identify the speed limit of any road you're on, so you can keep within the law. You must also take into account other limiting factors that might make that speed too high (weather, lots of pedestrians, damaged surface). But you could also travel too slowly, making insufficient progress when it's in fact safe. This might frustrate other drivers, creating danger if they do something rash to get past you. Avoid this by being ready to move away from junctions (and onto roundabouts) as soon as safe and correct to do so. Common Fault — being so hesitant you delay people behind, or excessive speed (given the circumstances). |
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