Key points
- There are 3 types of fault: driving faults (minors), serious faults and dangerous faults.
- You pass with 15 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
- If you keep making the same driving fault, the examiner can mark it as a serious fault. DVSA doesn't publish a set number for this.
- Examiners now record faults on a tablet. The paper DL25 marking sheet uses the same headings and is only a backup.
- You can carry on after a mistake. The examiner only stops the test if your driving is a danger to other road users, or for set reasons such as failing the eyesight check.
Examiners record three types of fault: driving faults (often called "minors"), serious faults and dangerous faults. You pass if you make no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.[1] A single serious or dangerous fault means you fail, however well you drove for the rest of the test. Repeating the same minor fault can also turn it into a serious one.[1]
The three types of fault
| Type | What it means | Effect on your result |
|---|---|---|
| Driving fault ("minor") | Not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault it could become serious[1] | You can have up to 15 and still pass[1] |
| Serious fault ("major") | Something potentially dangerous[1], or a breach of the law[4] | Fail[3] |
| Dangerous fault ("major") | Actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property[1] | Fail[3] |
The examiner guidance gives examples of breaking the law that count as a serious fault: not responding to a red light, driving well above the speed limit and not responding to a stop sign.[4] A dangerous fault is marked whether or not the examiner had to step in.[4]
There is also a level below a driving fault. A very small slip that doesn't affect safety is "not worthy" of recording. DVSA's examples include dry steering and not pressing the handbrake button when you apply it.[4]
How the examiner decides how serious a fault is
DT1, DVSA's guidance for examiners, explains how they grade each mistake. It is published, so you can read it too:
- Wait for the outcome. Examiners shouldn't decide too quickly. They wait until the situation has finished, then mark it. They must not mark the same error twice.[4]
- The "first rule". If the drive had been perfect before and after this fault, would this fault alone fail you? If so, it's serious or dangerous.[4]
- The "16th fault" test. To decide whether a small mistake should be recorded at all, the examiner asks whether they could justify failing you if it were your 16th driving fault.[4]
- Cause, then effect. A fault is normally marked under the heading that caused it. If the result was worse than the cause, the result is marked instead. For example, approaching a junction too fast and then emerging badly is marked as junction observation.[5]
DVSA's own example shows how one situation can be graded differently. If you look before emerging but misjudge an approaching car so it has to slow down, that can be a driving fault. If you don't look properly at all, it's serious. If the examiner has to act to avoid a collision, it's dangerous.[4]
When repeated minors become a serious fault
One driving fault doesn't fail you on its own. But if you keep making the same driving fault in one area throughout the test, the examiner can decide you aren't competent and mark it as potentially dangerous.[4] DVSA's example is a candidate who keeps failing to check their mirrors when they should.[4] The guidance doesn't give a set number. It describes a fault made "habitually" or by "constant repetition", and the examiner decides when that point is reached.[4]
The marking sheet (DL25) and the digital test report
Examiners now record results on a tablet. They only use the paper DL25 marking sheet if their tablet has a problem.[6] Instructors can use the DL25 for mock tests.[6] The sheet groups faults under these headings[7]:
| Heading | What's inside |
|---|---|
| Eyesight, manoeuvres, show me / tell me, controlled stop | Set parts of the test. Manoeuvres are marked for control and observation. |
| Control | Accelerator, clutch, gears, footbrake, parking brake, steering |
| Precautions, ancillary controls | Checks before driving, and using things like wipers and demisters |
| Move off | Safety, control |
| Use of mirrors | Signalling, change direction, change speed |
| Signals | Necessary, correctly, timed |
| Junctions | Approach speed, observation, turning right, turning left, cutting corners |
| Judgement | Overtaking, meeting, crossing |
| Positioning | Normal driving, lane discipline |
| Other driving headings | Pedestrian crossings, position / normal stop, awareness and planning, clearance, following distance, use of speed |
| Progress | Appropriate speed, undue hesitation |
| Response to signs / signals | Traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights, traffic controllers, other road users |
Each heading has separate boxes for serious and dangerous faults.[7] The sheet also records "ETA", meaning the examiner took action, either by speaking (verbal) or by using the controls (physical).[7] Your result will show an ETA if the examiner had to tell you to do something or take control to avoid an incident.[8] Getting one show me / tell me question wrong, or both, counts as one driving fault.[4]
When the examiner can stop the test
You can carry on if you make a mistake, and it might not affect your result if it isn't serious.[2] Your examiner will only stop the test because of your driving if they think it is a danger to other road users.[2] So a fault that means you've failed doesn't normally end the drive.[2]
A test also ends early in some set situations:
- you fail the eyesight check at the start[2]
- you refuse to wear a seat belt and don't have an exemption certificate[10]
- it becomes clear during the test that your licence or insurance isn't in order[10]
- you can't display L plates in a reasonable time[10]
Struggling to follow the independent driving directions isn't, on its own, a reason to stop the test or fail you.[10]
Common myths
- "Stalling is an automatic fail." Not necessarily. Stalling once while keeping control won't automatically fail you. Rolling back a long way, or stalling repeatedly, will.[9]
- "Crossing your hands on the wheel is a fault." The examiner judges whether your steering is smooth, safe and under control, not whether your hands crossed.[9]
- "Examiners have pass quotas." DVSA says this isn't true. If you drive to the required standard, you pass.[9]
- "Exaggerate your head movements at the mirrors." DVSA says you don't need to. Examiners are trained to see whether you're observing properly.[9]
After the test
The examiner tells you whether you passed and explains any serious or dangerous faults.[3] You also get an email with your result, showing the driving, serious and dangerous faults you made.[8] If you didn't pass, you have to book another test and pay again. The new date must be at least 10 working days away.[1] To see which faults cause the most fails, read the top 10 reasons people fail.
Sources
- Driving test: cars - Driving test faults and your result
- Driving test: cars - What happens during the test
- Driving test marking, faults and results (Ready to Pass?)
- Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance (DT1) - 11. Guide to assessment and marking
- Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance (DT1) - 12. Finding and recording faults on the digital test report
- Driving test marking sheet
- Driving test report (DL25) form
- Understanding your driving test result: car driving test
- Driving test myths (Ready to Pass?)
- Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance (DT1) - 6. General technical matters
Last checked against the cited sources on 14 October 2026. PassNav is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA, DVLA or TomTom. Our guides are prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources cited on each page. Rules and fees change — for current legal requirements and booking rules, always check GOV.UK. This is general guidance and does not replace professional driving instruction. Spotted something out of date? Email passnav@smartaisolution.co.uk — see our editorial policy.