Every year, thousands of learner drivers across the UK fail their driving test, often making the same preventable mistakes. Understanding these common errors and knowing how to avoid them can significantly improve your chances of passing. Whether you’re preparing for your test in Birmingham or anywhere else in the country, this comprehensive guide will help you identify potential pitfalls and develop strategies to overcome them.
Understanding Driving Test Faults
Before we explore specific mistakes, it’s important to understand how faults are classified during your driving test:
Types of Faults
Driving faults (minors): Small errors that don’t pose immediate danger. You can accumulate up to 15 driving faults and still pass.
Serious faults: Errors that are potentially dangerous but don’t cause immediate danger to you, the examiner, other road users, or property.
Dangerous faults: Actions that cause actual danger to you, the examiner, other road users, or property.
Critical point: Just ONE serious or dangerous fault means an automatic fail. This is why understanding and avoiding the most common serious errors is crucial.
The Top 10 Most Common Test Mistakes
1. Observation at Junctions (The Number One Failure Reason)
Why it happens: Learners often look at junctions but don’t actually see what’s there. They go through the motions without properly assessing the situation, or they simply don’t look adequately in the first place.
Common scenarios:
- Pulling out of a junction when it’s not safe
- Not checking properly for motorcycles and cyclists
- Looking left and right but not looking left again before emerging
- Failing to observe when turning right at crossroads
- Not checking for pedestrians crossing the road you’re turning into
How to avoid it:
Develop a systematic approach:
- Look well ahead as you approach the junction
- Slow down early to give yourself time to observe
- Look left, right, then left again at T-junctions
- At crossroads, check the road you’re joining and the opposite side
- Actually turn your head – make your observations obvious
The “peek and creep” technique:
- At junctions with restricted views, edge forward slowly
- Stop, look, creep forward a bit, look again
- Only emerge when you have a completely clear view
- Don’t assume – if you can’t see properly, wait
Check for vulnerable road users:
- Motorcycles can appear quickly – look twice
- Cyclists may be filtering through traffic
- Pedestrians might be crossing where you’re turning
- Watch for children who may act unpredictably
Practice tip: During lessons, verbalize what you see – “checking left, car approaching but has time, checking right, clear” – this builds systematic observation habits.
2. Use of Mirrors – Lack of Proper Observation
Why it happens: Learners either forget to check mirrors or check them without properly processing the information. Some develop a habit of “token” mirror checks that don’t involve actually looking at what’s behind them.
Common scenarios:
- Changing lanes without checking mirrors and blind spots
- Slowing down or stopping without checking mirrors first
- Signaling without a prior mirror check
- Moving off without checking blind spot
- Not using mirrors regularly during general driving
How to avoid it:
The MSM routine (Mirror, Signal, Maneuver):
- ALWAYS check mirrors before signaling
- Check again after signaling before committing to the maneuver
- Use all three mirrors (interior and both door mirrors)
- Check mirrors every 8-10 seconds during normal driving
Blind spot checks:
- Always check over your shoulder before moving off
- Check blind spot when changing lanes
- Look over your shoulder when turning right at T-junctions
- Check blind spot before opening your door after parking
Make it obvious:
- Move your head noticeably when checking mirrors
- Examiners need to see you’re checking
- Don’t just flick your eyes – turn your head slightly
- Check in good time, not at the last second
Mirror check triggers:
- Before any signal
- Before any change of speed
- Before any change of direction
- Before moving off or stopping
- Before opening doors
Common mistake to avoid: Checking mirrors after you’ve already started the maneuver. Mirrors are for gathering information to make decisions, not for confirming what you’ve already done.
3. Control Issues – Steering
Why it happens: Under test pressure, learners often grip the steering wheel too tightly, make jerky movements, or revert to bad habits like crossing hands or one-handed steering.
Common scenarios:
- Crossing hands on the wheel when turning
- Steering one-handed, especially when changing gear
- Not keeping to the center of your lane
- Cutting corners when turning
- Wandering across lane markings
- Oversteering then correcting repeatedly
How to avoid it:
Master the push-pull technique:
- Keep both hands on the wheel (9 and 3 o’clock positions)
- Push up with one hand while pulling down with the other
- Never let your hands cross over
- Feed the wheel through your hands on slower turns
- This technique gives you better control and safety
Improve lane discipline:
- Look well ahead, not at the bonnet
- Use the center lines as guides
- Position your body centrally in the lane
- Avoid looking at the road edges – it pulls you toward them
- Make small, smooth corrections rather than big jerks
Cornering technique:
- Slow down before the turn
- Position correctly as you approach
- Look through the turn to where you want to go
- Apply smooth, progressive steering
- Don’t rush the turn – better to go slower and smoothly
Practice exercises:
- Drive along quiet roads focusing on straight-line steering
- Practice turns in empty car parks
- Use reference points to judge your position
- Ask your instructor to point out when you’re not centered
Relaxation tips:
- Consciously relax your grip periodically
- Shake out your hands at red lights
- Breathe steadily – tension restricts smooth movement
- Remember: loose hands, smooth steering
4. Inappropriate Speed
Why it happens: Many learners focus so much on not speeding that they drive too slowly, frustrating other road users and failing to make appropriate progress. Others fail to adjust their speed for conditions or don’t notice speed limit changes.
Common scenarios:
- Driving significantly under the speed limit when conditions allow appropriate speed
- Failing to reach appropriate speeds on faster roads
- Not slowing down for hazards
- Missing speed limit changes
- Creeping along unnecessarily in quiet areas
- Exceeding the speed limit
How to avoid it:
Know the default speed limits:
- Built-up areas with street lights: 30mph (unless signed otherwise)
- Single carriageways: 60mph (unless signed otherwise)
- Dual carriageways: 70mph (unless signed otherwise)
- Always watch for signs indicating different limits
Make appropriate progress:
- Aim to drive at or near the speed limit when safe to do so
- Don’t hold up traffic unnecessarily
- Build up to appropriate speeds reasonably quickly
- If there’s a queue behind you on a clear road, you’re probably too slow
Adjust speed for conditions:
- Rain, fog, ice = reduce speed significantly
- Heavy traffic = adjust to traffic flow
- Narrow roads = slow down appropriately
- Residential areas with parked cars = reduce speed
- Near schools, parks, pedestrian crossings = be ready to slow
Watch for speed limit changes:
- Speed limits change frequently in urban areas
- Look for repeater signs (reminder signs between junctions)
- When entering different zones (20mph near schools)
- Use landmarks to remember where limits change on familiar routes
The 20mph zone challenge: Birmingham and many UK cities now have extensive 20mph zones. These are easy to miss:
- Extra vigilance near schools, hospitals, residential areas
- Watch for road markings as well as signs
- If in doubt in a residential area, assume 20mph
- Don’t speed up prematurely when leaving 20mph zones
Speed awareness technique:
- Regularly check your speedometer
- Practice maintaining steady speeds
- Use engine sound to estimate speed
- Count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two” between posts on faster roads (posts are 100m apart on main roads; at 60mph you should pass roughly 3 posts every 6 seconds)
5. Responding to Traffic Signals and Signs
Why it happens: Learners become confused under pressure, misread signs, or make poor decisions about whether to stop or proceed at changing lights.
Common scenarios:
- Running through amber or red lights
- Stopping at amber when it would be safe to proceed
- Not stopping at red lights properly (behind the line)
- Misunderstanding traffic light filter arrows
- Ignoring “Stop” signs (not coming to a complete stop)
- Failing to give way at roundabouts or Give Way signs
- Missing regulatory signs entirely
How to avoid it:
Traffic light strategy:
- Approach every green light prepared for it to change
- When you see green turn to amber, stop if you can do so safely
- Only proceed through amber if stopping would cause harsh braking or danger
- Never speed up to “beat” the lights
- At red lights, stop behind the first white line
- Don’t creep forward at red lights
- At green lights, check the junction is clear before proceeding
Stop signs vs. Give Way signs:
- Stop signs: Come to a COMPLETE stop, even if the road is clear (both wheels must stop rolling)
- Give Way signs: Slow down, be prepared to stop, but you can proceed if clear
- Look both ways thoroughly at both
- If vision is restricted, edge forward slowly
Roundabout signals:
- Give way to traffic from the right (unless signs indicate otherwise)
- Watch for vehicles already on the roundabout
- Look for indicators but don’t rely on them entirely
- Take your time – there’s no prize for rushing
Road sign awareness:
- Scan ahead constantly for signs
- Read signs early so you have time to respond
- Understand common sign shapes and colors:
- Circles give orders (red circles = prohibitions, blue circles = mandatory actions)
- Triangles give warnings
- Rectangles give information
- Know direction signs vs. regulatory signs
Common sign mistakes:
- Missing “No Entry” signs
- Ignoring “No Right Turn” or “No Left Turn” signs
- Not observing “Keep Left” or “Keep Right” bollards
- Failing to act on weight or height restrictions
Practice tip: During lessons, call out every traffic sign you see. This builds automatic sign recognition.
6. Incorrect Positioning – Normal Driving and Turns
Why it happens: Learners often focus on not hitting things rather than positioning correctly in the lane. They also struggle with positioning for turns, especially at complex junctions.
Common scenarios:
- Driving too close to the center line or curb
- Wrong lane at roundabouts or multi-lane roads
- Incorrect positioning when turning right
- Cutting corners on left turns
- Positioning for turns too late
- Blocking junctions or yellow boxes
How to avoid it:
Lane positioning basics:
- Normal driving: Stay centered in your lane
- Passing parked cars: Move toward the center of the road when safe
- Meeting oncoming traffic with obstructions: Assess who has priority; position to wait if necessary
- Narrow roads: Keep left but not so close you risk hitting curbs or obstacles
Turning left:
- Keep left throughout your approach
- Don’t swing out to the right before turning left
- Follow the curve of the corner
- Don’t cut across the corner
- End up on the left side of the road you’re entering
Turning right:
- Approach just left of the center line
- At crossroads, you usually pass offside-to-offside (right side to right side) with right-turning opposite traffic
- However, at some junctions you pass nearside-to-nearside
- Look for road markings and arrows indicating the correct path
- Don’t cut corners – follow the proper path
Roundabout positioning:
- Left exit: Stay in left lane, keep left throughout
- Straight ahead: Usually left lane, but check for lane markings
- Right or beyond: Use right lane, stay in right lane until ready to exit
- Follow lane markings – they override general rules
- Signal appropriately for your exit
Yellow box junctions:
- Only enter if your exit is clear
- You can wait in the box when turning right if oncoming traffic prevents you from completing the turn
- Never stop in a yellow box junction unless turning right and blocked by oncoming traffic
Multi-lane roads:
- Choose your lane early
- Use left lane unless overtaking or turning right
- Don’t hog the middle or right lanes
- Change lanes safely with proper observation and signaling
- Follow lane direction arrows
Position practice:
- Use a quiet multi-lane roundabout for practice
- Practice various turns at different junctions
- Ask your instructor to explain positioning at complex junctions before you attempt them
- Use reference points to judge your position
7. Lack of Control – Moving Off and Stopping
Why it happens: Clutch control issues, nervousness, or rushing cause stalls, harsh braking, or rolling backward on hills. These control problems are among the most common reasons for test failure.
Common scenarios:
- Stalling when moving off (especially on hills or at junctions)
- Rolling backward on hills
- Harsh or late braking
- Jerky stops
- Moving off without checking blindspot
- Stopping too far from the curb when asked to pull over
How to avoid it:
Moving off smoothly:
- Set your gas (1000-1500 rpm sound) before releasing clutch
- Find the “bite point” (when car vibrates and wants to move)
- Handbrake off, slowly release clutch fully while gradually increasing gas
- Check mirrors and blindspot before moving
- Signal if necessary
- Move smoothly into traffic flow
Hill starts:
- Apply handbrake if stopped on steep hill
- Set gas higher than on flat ground
- Find bite point – car will feel like it’s pulling against handbrake
- Release handbrake while holding bite point
- Gradually release clutch while adding more gas
- Car shouldn’t roll back at all
Stopping smoothly:
- Look well ahead to plan your stops
- Begin braking early and gently
- Progressive braking: firm pressure initially, then ease off as you slow
- Come to a complete stop without jerking
- Apply clutch fully just before stopping to prevent stalling
- If stopping for a while, apply handbrake and select neutral
Common stopping mistakes:
- Braking too late and too hard
- Not applying clutch at low speed (causing stalling)
- Rolling forward or backward after “stopping”
- Stopping too far from curb when parking (should be within 30cm)
- Stopping in unsafe or illegal positions
Clutch control practice:
- Find an empty car park or quiet road with incline
- Practice finding bite point without moving
- Practice hill starts repeatedly
- Slow-speed maneuvering practice improves clutch feel
- The more you practice, the more automatic it becomes
Test day tips:
- If you stall, don’t panic – restart calmly following the proper procedure
- One stall isn’t necessarily a fail unless it’s dangerous
- Take your time at junctions – don’t rush and stall
- On hills, use handbrake confidently
8. Maneuver Mistakes
Why it happens: Maneuvers are performed under close examiner scrutiny, which increases pressure. Learners rush, forget observation, or haven’t practiced enough in varied situations.
Common scenarios:
- Hitting the curb during parallel park or pull up on right
- Forgetting to observe properly throughout maneuver
- Taking too many attempts or getting position badly wrong
- Rushing the maneuver
- Incorrect steering technique
- Not making necessary corrections
How to avoid it:
General maneuver principles:
- Slow speed is key: You can’t go too slowly during maneuvers
- Observation is crucial: Check all around throughout, not just at the start
- Take your time: There’s no time limit on maneuvers
- Make corrections: If it’s not going right, adjust rather than hoping
- Use reference points: But understand they’re guides, not absolute rules
Parallel parking:
- Choose a good reference point that works for you
- Reverse slowly with good clutch control
- Check all around constantly – especially for pedestrians and cyclists
- Turn lock on at the right point (usually when your mirror lines up with a feature of the target car)
- Straighten up when you’re about 45 degrees to curb
- Reverse back slowly, correcting position as needed
- Finish within one car length of car behind, about 15-30cm from curb
- If you’re not happy with position, pull forward and adjust
Bay parking (reverse):
- Line up the car before starting
- Choose your reference point (mirror in line with bay line is common)
- Reverse slowly with frequent observation
- Turn lock at your reference point
- Keep checking both sides – adjust if you’re not straight
- Reverse until fully in bay
- Finish reasonably centered between lines
Bay parking (forward):
- Approach at walking pace
- Line up carefully before entering
- Drive in slowly, keeping centered
- Stop before hitting the barrier or wall
- When reversing out, observe constantly, especially for pedestrians
Pull up on right and reverse:
- Find a safe place without driveways or junctions
- Check all around before pulling up on right
- Position 15-30cm from curb
- Before reversing, check all around thoroughly
- Reverse about two car lengths, constantly checking all mirrors
- Before moving off again, check mirrors and blindspot thoroughly
- Signal right, wait for safe gap, rejoin traffic
Critical observation points:
- All around before starting any maneuver
- Over your shoulder repeatedly during any reversing
- Check for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles constantly
- Never assume the coast is clear – keep checking
Common maneuver faults:
- Focusing only on steering, forgetting observation
- Going too fast to maintain control
- Not correcting when things go wrong
- Stopping on pedestrian crossings or driveways
- Mounting the curb
Practice strategy:
- Practice each maneuver until you can do it consistently
- Practice in different locations, not just the test center
- Vary conditions: tight spots, wide spots, hills
- Practice with cars on both sides
- Do maneuvers with your instructor watching silently to simulate test conditions
9. Awareness and Planning
Why it happens: Learners develop “tunnel vision,” focusing only on what’s directly ahead rather than reading the road and anticipating what might happen. They react rather than plan.
Common scenarios:
- Being surprised by hazards that were predictable
- Late reactions to traffic situations
- Not anticipating pedestrians crossing
- Failing to plan for lane changes in good time
- Missing important road features
- Not understanding what other drivers will do
How to avoid it:
Develop hazard perception:
- Scan the full road scene, not just what’s directly ahead
- Look as far ahead as you can see
- Use peripheral vision to notice movement
- Ask yourself “what if?” constantly
- Identify potential hazards early
Common hazards to watch for:
- Parked cars (doors opening, children running out, cars pulling out)
- Pedestrians near crossings or at road edges
- Children playing near the road
- Cyclists approaching junctions or roundabouts
- Vehicles signaling or positioned to turn
- Animals (even in urban areas – cats, dogs, birds)
- Road surface changes (puddles, gravel, oil)
Reading other road users:
- Watch for indicators and early signals
- Observe vehicle positioning to predict intentions
- Notice pedestrian body language
- Be especially aware of cyclists – predict their movements
- Don’t assume others will do what they’re indicating
Planning ahead:
- Know which lane you need in advance
- Plan your approach speed to junctions
- Anticipate traffic light changes
- Think about where you’ll position at complex junctions
- Consider what you’ll do if your intended action isn’t safe
Defensive driving mindset:
- Assume others might make mistakes
- Give yourself escape routes and options
- Maintain appropriate following distances
- Be prepared for the unexpected
- Expect pedestrians to cross without looking
- Assume hidden hazards at blind junctions
Practice improving awareness:
- Commentary driving: narrate what you see and what might happen
- Play “spot the hazard” during lessons
- Review hazard perception clips even after passing theory
- Discuss scenarios with your instructor
10. Hesitancy and Lack of Progress
Why it happens: Fear of making mistakes causes learners to be overly cautious. While being safe is important, failing to make reasonable progress frustrates other road users and shows lack of confidence.
Common scenarios:
- Waiting excessively long at junctions when safe to go
- Driving well under speed limits for no reason
- Taking too long to complete maneuvers
- Being overly cautious about overtaking parked cars
- Holding up traffic unnecessarily
- Second-guessing decisions and changing mind
How to avoid it:
Find the balance:
- Caution is good, but excessive hesitation is dangerous
- Other drivers expect you to make reasonable progress
- Unexpected stopping or hesitation can cause others to make mistakes
- It’s safer to make a decision and follow through than to dither
At junctions:
- If you can see the road is clear, go
- Don’t wait for a huge gap – a reasonable gap is fine
- Once you’ve started to emerge, commit to it
- If traffic is continuous, wait for a proper gap, don’t try to force your way in
- Remember: indecision is dangerous
On open roads:
- Drive at appropriate speeds for conditions
- Don’t crawl along for no reason
- Make progress where it’s safe to do so
- Build confidence in maintaining higher speeds (within limits)
Overtaking parked vehicles:
- Check mirrors and blind spot
- Signal if necessary
- Move out decisively (but safely)
- Return to normal position once past
Building confidence:
- Practice builds confidence – more hours mean less hesitation
- Gradually increase speed of decision-making
- Trust your training
- Remember: you need to drive like a driver, not a nervous learner
Test day confidence:
- Your instructor wouldn’t put you forward if you weren’t ready
- The examiner knows you’re a learner
- Make decisions and commit to them
- It’s okay to take a moment to assess, but don’t freeze
Other Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pedestrian Crossings
Zebra crossings:
- Must give way to pedestrians on the crossing
- Must give way to pedestrians clearly intending to cross
- Slow down and be prepared to stop as you approach
- Don’t wave pedestrians across – let them make their own decision
- Don’t stop if no one is crossing or about to cross
Pelican, Puffin, and Toucan crossings:
- Stop at red light
- At flashing amber (Pelican crossings), give way to pedestrians on crossing, but can proceed if clear
- Puffin crossings don’t have flashing amber – only red or green
- Always check for pedestrians before proceeding on green
Common mistakes:
- Not noticing pedestrians waiting to cross
- Stopping unnecessarily when no one is crossing
- Proceeding when pedestrians are still on the crossing
- Not being prepared to stop when approaching crossings
Use of Speed
Using gears appropriately:
- Select the right gear for the speed and situation
- Change gear smoothly without looking down
- Don’t coast (clutch down or in neutral) when slowing
- Don’t rev the engine excessively
Common mistakes:
- Being in too high a gear for the speed (lugging)
- Using wrong gear for maneuvers
- Coasting on approaches to junctions
- Forgetting to change up after accelerating
Use of Handbrake
When to use it:
- Always when stopped for more than a few seconds
- On any incline, however slight
- At traffic lights (unless you’re first and lights are about to change)
- When asked to pull over and stop
Common mistakes:
- Not using handbrake when stopped at lights
- Not using handbrake when stopped on hills
- Forgetting to release handbrake when moving off
- Releasing handbrake too early on hills
Following Distance
The two-second rule:
- In good conditions, stay at least two seconds behind vehicle ahead
- Pick a fixed point the car ahead passes
- Count “only a fool breaks the two-second rule”
- If you pass the point before finishing, you’re too close
Adjust for conditions:
- Rain: double to four seconds
- Ice/snow: up to ten times normal distance
- Fog: be able to stop well within distance you can see
Common mistakes:
- Tailgating other vehicles
- Not increasing distance in poor weather
- Getting too close when following slowly
- Not leaving enough space when stopped behind another vehicle
Test Day Mistakes
Before the Test
Common errors:
- Arriving late or flustered
- Forgetting documents (provisional licence, theory certificate)
- Wearing inappropriate clothing or footwear
- Not using toilet before test
- Engaging in negative conversation with other candidates
During the Test
Mistakes that seem small but matter:
- Not adjusting mirrors and seat properly
- Forgetting seatbelt
- Not reading number plate clearly at eyesight check
- Not listening carefully to examiner’s instructions
- Assuming you know where to go rather than listening
- Letting one mistake affect rest of driving
After Making an Error
The recovery mistake:
- Dwelling on errors during the test
- Letting one mistake cascade into others
- Assuming you’ve failed and giving up
- Getting emotional or distracted
Instead:
- Refocus immediately on the road ahead
- Minor mistakes are allowed
- Drive the rest of the test to the best of your ability
- Stay positive and focused
How Learner Driving School Helps You Avoid These Mistakes
At Learner Driving School, we don’t just teach you to drive – we prepare you to avoid the common pitfalls that cause test failures:
Systematic training: Our structured approach ensures every skill is mastered before moving on, preventing gaps in knowledge.
Fault identification: We identify your weak areas early and focus practice where it’s needed most.
Mock tests: Regular assessment drives under test conditions help you experience and overcome common pressure points.
Examiner perspective: Our instructors know what examiners look for and train you to demonstrate competence clearly.
Local knowledge: We know Birmingham’s roads, typical test routes, and location-specific challenges.
Honest feedback: We give you realistic assessments of your readiness, ensuring you only take your test when genuinely prepared.
Confidence building: We help you develop the confident, decisive driving style that examiners want to see, while maintaining proper caution.
Your Mistake-Avoidance Action Plan
During lessons:
- Practice each skill until it’s automatic
- Ask your instructor to identify your most common errors
- Focus extra practice time on your weak areas
- Do regular mock tests to identify mistakes under pressure
- Learn from every error – understand why it happened
Test preparation:
- Ensure you’re consistently driving to test standard
- Practice at the same time of day as your test
- Know the test routes and common challenge areas
- Master all maneuvers in varied locations
- Review common mistakes regularly
Test day:
- Arrive calm and prepared
- Listen carefully to all instructions
- Take your time – there’s no rush
- If you make a mistake, refocus immediately
- Drive as you’ve been taught – nothing different
Remember: Every mistake is preventable with proper preparation and practice. Understanding these common errors and actively working to avoid them will dramatically increase your chances of passing your driving test.
Ready to Learn to Drive Without the Mistakes?
At Learner Driving School, we specialize in teaching learners to drive correctly from the start, building good habits that prevent common test mistakes.
Our Birmingham-based instructors offer:
- Comprehensive training covering all test requirements
- Focused practice on common problem areas
- Regular feedback and error correction
- Mock tests to identify and fix mistakes before test day
- Patient, professional instruction tailored to your learning pace
Don’t learn through trial and error on test day. Let our experienced instructors guide you past the common pitfalls and toward test success.
Contact Learner Driving School today to:
- Book your first lesson with an expert instructor
- Discuss your concerns and learning needs
- Get professional guidance on avoiding common mistakes
- Start your journey toward confident, mistake-free driving
Call us now or visit our website to begin learning to drive the right way – first time!