On a Driving Test,
what are Faults?
and how will they effect my result?

OK, this is where it can get a little confusing,

there are 3 kinds of faults:

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A Driving Fault, also known as a Minor Fault, which is a small mistake. Low risk. (You can make up to 15)

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A Serious Fault, which has the potential to affect pedestrians, property and\or other road users. Medium Risk.

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A Dangerous Fault, also known as a Major Fault, and is an instant fail based on actual danger. High Risk.

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First off let me start by saying never assume that you've failed while still on your test.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This can cause a lapse in your concentration, and actually cause you to make a fault when you wouldn't have done if you kept your concentration flowing.

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Below are examples, they are not complete but they do give you an idea of what's what.

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OK, let's begin by using the same example to explain these faults a bit further.

We'll use the example of stalling a car.

 

You've stopped at stop sign on a T-junction in a quiet little village, there's nothing coming and nothing behind you, there's no pedestrians or cyclists around, you pull out and stall.

In this instance there is no one and nothing around that's been affected, we'll assume you've done all the right things immediately after a stall happens, in this instance you may incur a minor fault.

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(Incidentally, if you continue to make the same minor fault, this may turn into a major and cause a fail)

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Now you're at the same junction in a small town and the same thing happens, here there is traffic about near you, so this may be noted as a possible Serious Fault.

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This time we're at the same junction, you miss something and pull out in the path of an oncoming vehicle, the examiner reads the situation and applies the dual brake to stop you.

As you've pulled out causing traffic to take evasive action, and also as the examiner had to come in in an emergency, these are Major Faults and incur an instant fail.

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Using these examples you can see how doing the same thing in different circumstances can have different outcomes, so a stall is not necessarily a bad thing, but also could be a fail in the wrong circumstances.

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