Driving Test Faults Explained: What They Mean

Everyone · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Are Driving Test Faults in Simple Terms?

Driving test faults are official marks the examiner records when you make mistakes during your practical driving test. Unlike general driving errors, faults are specific behaviors or actions the examiner watches for as evidence of your driving competence and safety. They reflect how well you handle the car and respond to road conditions, other traffic, and rules. These faults range from minor lapses—like forgetting to signal once—to serious errors—like failing to stop at a junction—that affect your test outcome. Driving test faults help the examiner decide whether you can drive safely on your own or need more practice.

For example, if you take a corner slightly too fast but maintain control and safety, that might be a minor fault. But if you fail to stop fully at a stop sign, that would be a serious fault. Faults are your performance report card for this essential life skill. Understanding what faults are helps you prepare more effectively for the test and safer driving afterward.

How Does the Fault System Work During a Driving Test?

When you take your driving test, the examiner records faults in real-time based on your driving. These faults are categorized into three main types:

• Minor Faults (Driving Faults): These are small mistakes that don't pose immediate danger but show areas for improvement. For example, you might take a turn a bit wide or forget to check your mirrors briefly. Minor faults accumulate during the test, and you can still pass if you remain under the allowed limit.

• Serious Faults: These indicate poor judgment or control that could cause an accident. Examples include failing to observe properly at a junction or not yielding right of way. A serious fault usually means you fail the test because the examiner judges it unsafe.

• Dangerous Faults: These are critical errors that put you or others in immediate danger, such as pulling out in front of an oncoming vehicle or running a red light. These faults lead to instant failure.

Hypothetical Example

Imagine you’re taking your test and forget to signal once while changing lanes (minor fault). Later, you approach a roundabout but don’t properly check for traffic before entering (serious fault). If you also cut in front of a cyclist unsafely (dangerous fault), the examiner would stop the test immediately. However, if your only faults were minor and they were fewer than the allowed number, you’d likely pass.

Why Are Driving Test Faults Important for Learners?

Driving test faults matter because they highlight where your driving needs improvement before you can be trusted with a license. They serve as a practical checklist of safe driving behaviors, not just rules to memorize. Knowing what kinds of faults exist and how they affect your test result helps reduce anxiety by focusing your practice on areas the examiner will watch closely.

For example, if you learn that signaling and mirror checks are common fault areas, you can consciously practice these until they become automatic. This not only improves your test chances but also makes you a safer driver on the road. Since serious and dangerous faults reflect dangerously unsafe habits, understanding these can prevent accidents later.

Furthermore, being aware of faults encourages you to develop good habits like smooth clutch control, consistent speed, and clear communication with other road users. All of these are essential for passing your test and for driving safely throughout life.

What Are Common Driving Test Faults Learners Make?

Learners often make predictable faults during their tests. Recognizing these helps you know what to practice. Common faults include:

• Failing to Check Mirrors: Not looking into mirrors before pulling away, changing lanes, or turning is a frequent minor or serious fault.
• Inadequate Signaling: Forgetting to signal, signaling too late, or failing to cancel signals after a maneuver.
• Poor Junction Observation: Not looking properly both ways before crossing or joining traffic can be a serious fault.
• Incorrect Road Positioning: For example, drifting out of the lane or cutting corners on bends.
• Speeding or Driving Too Slowly: Driving faster than the limit or too slowly for traffic conditions.
• Stalling or Poor Clutch Control: Particularly for manual car learners, stalling the engine or jerky starts can lead to faults.
• Not Maintaining Safe Distances: Tailgating or not leaving enough space behind other vehicles.

Practice Tips for Avoiding These Faults

• Before every maneuver, use a clear mirror-signal-move routine: check mirrors, signal with enough time, then execute the move.
• Practice slow control exercises like hill starts or stop-start traffic to reduce stalling.
• Use mental checklists for junctions: "Look left, right, and left again" before going.
• Drive within speed limits but adjust for weather or traffic.

By consciously working on these common problem areas, you can reduce faults and improve test success.

What Terms Are Often Confused With Driving Test Faults?

Many people confuse driving test faults with other related terms. Here’s how to distinguish them:

• Driving Test Mistakes: This is a broad, informal term for any errors during the test. All faults are mistakes, but not all mistakes become recorded faults. For example, a brief hesitation might feel like a mistake but not be noted as a fault.
• Driving Test Errors vs. Faults: Errors can be informal self-identified flaws or examiner notes, while faults are formal, scored errors recorded on your test report.
• Failing the Test vs. Making Faults: Making minor faults doesn’t automatically mean failure. The test has a threshold. Serious or dangerous faults almost always cause failure.
• Faults vs. Traffic Violations: Faults are test-specific and do not necessarily mean legal violations, although some serious faults could also break traffic laws.

Clarifying these terms helps learners understand feedback and set realistic expectations during preparation and after testing.

How Many Faults Can You Make and Still Pass?

The number of faults you can make and still pass varies by state or region but generally follows a similar pattern:

• You can accumulate several minor faults and still pass, often up to around 15.
• One serious fault usually means automatic failure.
• One dangerous fault also results in immediate failure.

For example, if you make 10 minor faults but no serious or dangerous faults, you may pass. However, one serious fault like failing to stop at a traffic light will fail you regardless of how many minor faults you had.

Fault Allowance Table Example

Learners should check their local DMV or licensing authority for exact rules and allowances, as these can differ.

What Should You Do After Receiving Fault Feedback?

After your test, the examiner will provide a report listing all faults made. This feedback is crucial for understanding your driving strengths and weaknesses.

Steps to Take:

1. Review Each Fault: Read the explanation to understand what you did wrong. For example, if the fault says “mirror check missing before lane change,” practice that specific action.
2. Ask for Clarification: If unclear, request your examiner or instructor to explain faults in detail.
3. Practice Targeted Skills: Spend extra time practicing fault areas identified, such as signaling, observation, or clutch control.
4. Take Additional Lessons: Consider professional lessons focused on your weak spots to build confidence and competence.
5. Stay Positive: Many learners don’t pass on the first try but improve with focused practice and retesting.
6. Plan Your Retest: Schedule your next test when you feel comfortable and have addressed previous faults.

By treating the fault report as a learning tool, you improve not only your test chances but lifelong driving safety.

How Can You Prepare to Avoid Driving Test Faults?

Preventing faults starts well before the test day. Here are practical steps:

• Practice Regularly: The more you drive in varied situations, the better your control and awareness.
• Use Checklists: Develop routines like mirror-signal-move and observation at junctions.
• Simulate Test Conditions: Ask your instructor to do mock tests to identify fault areas early.
• Stay Calm and Focused: Nervousness can cause mistakes; practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing before and during the test.
• Learn From Others: Read about common driving test mistakes and how others succeed.
• Understand the Rules: Study your state’s driving manual to know legal and safe driving practices.

This preparation reduces the chance of faults and boosts your confidence during the actual test.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a minor and a serious fault on a driving test?

Minor faults are small mistakes that don’t immediately risk safety, like poor lane positioning. Serious faults involve mistakes that could cause danger, such as failing to check mirrors before moving off, usually resulting in test failure.

Can you pass your driving test if you make some faults?

Yes, you can pass with some minor faults, as long as you don’t exceed the allowed number and don’t make any serious or dangerous faults, which cause automatic failure.

What happens if I get a dangerous fault on my driving test?

A dangerous fault means you performed an action that put yourself or others at immediate risk. This results in an instant fail, and you must retake the test after further preparation.

How can I use my driving test fault report to improve?

Review each fault carefully, understand what went wrong, and practice those skills specifically. Consider additional lessons focusing on your weak points and use the feedback as a guide for safer driving.

Are driving test faults the same as traffic violations?

No, faults are test-specific errors noted by examiners during your exam. Traffic violations are legal offenses that can occur anytime you break traffic laws outside the test.

Where can I find the official list of driving test faults?

Your local state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or licensing authority website usually provides an official list or handbook explaining common faults and test requirements.