These were the top 10 reasons between April 2024 and March 2025
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency has alerted people to 10 reasons why people fail their driving test. Indeed, many motorists who have a licence probably make these mistakes on the road, despite having passed years ago.
In its list, GOV.UK note that this applies to England, Scotland and Wales. At the top of the list is that drivers do not make “effective observations at junctions”.
Updated on August 14, 2025, the Government department warned that drivers should always “make effective observations before moving into a new road.” It added that drivers should also ensure that it is “safe before proceeding”.
If you do not stick to these two rules, it explains: “Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Junctions – Observations’ fault on your driving test result.”
For example, failing to judge the speed of an approaching vehicle is a real concern, and learners often fail to do so correctly during tests. It notes that this could happen when a driver needs to turn “left or right from a minor road” but when they make an observation, they fail to “judge the speed of the approaching vehicle”.
After they move off, they force “the vehicle to slow significantly”. This would count as a fault, and it could be the final fault you need to fail overall.
Another habit that can be classed as a fault is entering a roundabout with a vehicle approaching from the right, or emerging from a junction, and you make no effective observations. This may cause “a vehicle approaching from either the left or right to do an emergency stop to avoid hitting you”.
It may also force “the driving examiner to use the dual controls to brake”. All of these will result in a fault.
Making no observations when joining a dual carriageway from a slip road, going straight ahead at a crossroads, looking too late and repeatedly not looking left when turning left are all other key samples the DVSA has listed.
The other nine reasons why people fail their driving test
- Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
- Not moving off safely
- Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions
- Not responding appropriately to traffic lights
- Not having proper control of the steering
- Not responding correctly to road markings
- Not responding correctly to traffic signs
- Poor positioning on the road during normal driving
- Not driving at a safe and reasonable speed
