Any driving faults you commit during your practical test will be logged on form DL25 - an A4-sized document that is completed by your examiner.
The quantity and severity of the faults you record will determine whether or not you pass your driving test.
Faults are classified according to their seriousness, with separate categories for Dangerous, Serious and Minor errors.
In order to pass your practical driving test, you will have to drive for the duration of the 40-minute test without making any dangerous or serious mistake, and without committing more than 15 faults of a more minor nature.
Dangerous Faults are those that result in actual danger, either to yourself or to other road users. Any such fault will result in immediate failure.
Serious Faults are recorded when the candidate repeatedly makes the same driving error or is unable to perform one of the (slow) set manoeuvres correctly. One serious fault will also lead to automatic failure, although the candidate will be permitted to complete the test.
Minor Faults are less serious errors that do not cause any actual or potential danger to other road users. Typical examples include harsh use of the brakes, crossing of hands on the steering wheel and excessive hesitation at a junction. Don't forget that you can pick up a minor fault before you even start the engine, through an incorrect answer in the "Show Me/ Tell Me" quiz. No more than 15 minor faults must be committed if you are to pass your driving test.
Driving is monitored for 48 categories of predefined faults in total.
In your general driving, your competence will be assessed in the following areas. Committing three minor faults in the same area will lead to you receiving a serious fault for a repeated mistake, thereby failing your driving test.
Precautions: Checking that mirrors are set, seatbelts are fastened, controls are within reach etc before you move away.
Control: Smooth, controlled and appropriate use of the breaks, clutch, gears, accelerator, steering and parking brake.
Moving Off: Ability to move from a stationary position in a safe and controlled manner, remembering to check your mirrors. Level starts and hill starts will both be required.
Use of Mirrors: Frequent checking during normal driving as well as appropriate use when making turns, changing speeds and performing manoeuvres.
Signals: Appropriate use of indicators, ensuring that signals are given in good time, and that the indicator is turned off as soon as the move has been completed.
Clearance & Obstructions: Allowing sufficient room to pass stationary vehicles and obstructions. Driving with due care to accommodate sudden, unexpected hazards such as pedestrians stepping out onto the road.
Response to Signs and Signals: Ability to understand and respond appropriately to road signs and traffic signals (traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, police signals and signals of other road users).
Speed: Ability to make safe progress, without traveling too slowly or breaking the speed limit at a speed appropriate to the weather, traffic and other conditions so that you will be able to stop safely in the distance you have available.
Following Distance: Observance of the "2 second rule", taking care not to tailgate other vehicles.
Maintain Progress: Ability to drive at a speed appropriate to the conditions, including any potential hazards. At junctions, you should be prepared to move out as soon as it is safe to do so.
Junctions / Roundabouts: Accurate judgment of the speed of the approach so that the car does not cross the white lines. Ability to position the vehicle in the correct lane (where applicable), ensuring that it does not obstruct other vehicles. The driver must stay alert to pedestrians / cyclists and take care not to cut the corner or swing out of the junction.
Judgment: Exercising good judgment throughout, especially when passing stationary vehicles, cyclists and motorbikes, or in places where the road narrows, where traffic calming measures exist, when pulling out of a junction etc
Road Positioning: Maintaining a sensible road position at all times, taking care not to cross the white lines (unless overtaking) or straddle lane markings on multi-lane roads.
Pedestrian Crossings: Recognition of and appropriate response to the different kinds of crossing, showing courtesy to pedestrians. At all crossings you should slow down and stop if required.
Positioning (when stopping): Stopping only where it is safe and will not cause an obstruction, taking care not to stop on yellow lines, white zigzag markings or at a bus stop. (The latter will result in an instant fail).
Awareness / Planning: Constant awareness of other road users, thinking ahead to judge what they might do and make plans to avoid them. Due consideration for vulnerable road users. Planning for changes in traffic conditions.
Ancillary Controls: Confident and appropriate use of controls for windscreen wipers, indicators, demisters and headlights.