Driving test: Top 10 reasons learners fail including not checking mirrors and not moving off safely

For many people, passing a driving test is not an easy process, demonstrated by the  low pass rate nationwide. Whether hoping to pass first time or avoid yet another failed attempt, learners might be keen to find out what skills in particular they should be brushing up on and some new research might do just that.

According to the latest study by road safety experts at Road Angel, the top 10 most common reasons for failing the driving test, include failing to check mirrors enough and forgetting blind spots when moving off.

Fortunately, many of these skills are easy to master but some of the other common mistakes made by learner drivers might take a little longer to grasp - such as reverse bay parking and hill starts. Other common mistakes for failure include incorrectly responding to traffic lights and signs, bad observations, and wrong positioning when turning right.

Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel said: “It can be easy to make a mistake on the day of your driving test which can cause you to fail. Some of these common errors may be considered obvious but under the pressure of a driving test, it’s easy for even the best learners to make one of these 10 mistakes.

“Getting in as much practice as possible beforehand will improve your driving skills and confidence behind the wheel, which will help control test day nerves and avoid making these common errors.

“And if you’re regularly making these mistakes during your driving lessons your instructor will most likely recommend you not to take your test yet as you’re not quite ready. Although it can be upsetting to hear that you’ve failed your driving test, it just means you need a bit more practice to be fully safe on the roads.”

Top 10 reasons learners fail their driving test

Not checking mirrors enough

Learners won’t pass their test if they don’t check their mirrors often enough - particularly before signalling changing speed or direction. Mirrors must be checked along roundabouts and when changing lanes - especially on the dual carriageway to avoid other cars from having to slow down.

Bad observations at junctions

Not making effective observations left and right when learners are approaching junctions is one of the most common reasons pupils fail their driving test. Every time the car enters a new road the driver must ensure it is safe to proceed. This also applies when entering a roundabout, slip road and looking ahead at crossroads.

Poor road positioning

Throughout the test, learners often fail for having poor road positioning during normal driving. This includes using the right-hand lane unnecessarily with no attempt to move over to the left and not driving in the middle of the road.

Failing to move off safely

Any time a learner driver moves off, they must do a six-point check to ensure it is completely safe to continue. Along with checking their mirrors, pupils must ensure to effectively check their blind spots, indicate if necessary, and not enter into the path of any approaching vehicles.

Incorrectly responding to traffic lights

Learner drivers will fail if they don’t respond correctly to traffic lights - one of the most common reasons is ignoring or not anticipating a red light and thus attempting to proceed through it. Pupils could also fail by entering the box reserved for cyclists and blocking traffic when waiting to turn right.