Driving test - what is a Minor Fault?

Question

Hi,

I've been informed that I can commit up to 15 minor faults when I take my test and still pass. Can anyone give me an example of what constitutes a minor fault?

Thanks,

Sounique

Answer 1

31 in a 30 miles per hour zone.

Hands not just in the right place on steering wheel.

Answer 2

hi

things like not using your mirrors and handbrake correctly

not reading the road ahead i.e not slowing down if approaching stationary traffic.

Dont worry too much about it, i got 13 minr faults on my test and passed first time.

Just keep calm and alert you'll be fine

Answer 3

The authoritative guide to assessment & recording of faults can be found here;

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/practica...

Page 39 onwards gives all the detail you could possibly want about how examiners assess tests.

Answer 4

You can get minors points for anything theses days.I think you you need to talk to your driving instructor for all the details.If you are unlucky on the day,there is a web site i just found,which will help you get an earlier test,just type in earlier driving test dates in yahoo.good luck on your test.GD

Answer 5

Things like not looking in the mirror, not cancelling the indicator, not putting the handbrake on when you are performing manouvers. Basically anything that is not dangerous enough for an instant fail.

Answer 6

It's a huge question to answer because so much depends on the prevailing road conditions at the time. A good driving instructor (note the word 'good'!) will guide you and put your mind at rest. A minor fault might be, for example, missing a gear, a stall (provided you deal with it correctly), failing to check your mirror when accelerating.

Although you can collect 15 minor faults and pass, if you collect more than 3 faults in one area (say, mirrors), the examiner will consider the fault to be habitual and it becomes a serious fault - or fail.

A serious fault is one which might endanger yourself or other road users. Mounting the kerb almost always results in a serious fault, stopping over the line at a stop sign, stopping on a pedestrian crossing are all examples of serious faults - of which you need only one.

A dangerous fault is one that puts you or another road user in imminent danger. If the examiner has to use the dual controls, it's probably a dangerous fault.

Personally, I think 15 faults is way too lenient. Drivers who have reached a reasonable standard should be able to get through with 12 or less.

Yes, you guessed it, I'm a qualified driving instructor!

Good luck.

Answer 7

Below is a list of the most common minor driving faults:

Starting the engine

Some learner drivers start the engine in gear instead of neutral and this causes the vehicle to jump forward while others do not apply the handbrake properly and this sometimes causes the vehicle to roll backwards or forwards.

Moving away

It is very important to perform overall observations before moving away so that it is safe for you to proceed. Not looking around is considered a minor driving fault which could potentially become a serious one if you have moved away when it was unsafe to do so.

Emergency stop

When stopping the vehicle in an emergency, you need to do so promptly and fast. Using both the clutch and the footbrake is a mistake committed by a lot of learners. The examiner wants to see you keep control and not skid the vehicle while attempting to stop in the least time possible.

Turn in the road

When doing a turn in the road, learners fail to do all round observations to make sure it is safe to move the vehicle. If you are unable to complete the manoeuvre within 5 moves or touch the kerb during the exercise, it will be considered as a minor driving fault.

Reverse parking

The vehicle should not be too far from the left hand kerb or parked at an angle to the kerb after completing a reverse park. It is also important to look out of the rear window while reversing and pay attention to pedestrians when performing this manoeuvre.

Left/Right reverse

On completion of a left or right reverse, the vehicle should be parallel to the kerb and not too far from it. Touching the kerb or going over the centre of the side road or mounting the pavement will be considered a minor driving error.

Ancillary controls

It is important to operate the wipers if it is raining and the windscreen is getting blurry. Also the lights on the vehicle should be switched on if it starts to get dark otherwise it could be marked down on your driving test report.

Awareness

Showing an overall awareness of what is going around you while driving is what the driving examiner is looking for. You should always stay alert for hazards like pedestrians crossing the road unexpectedly. The overall practical driving test will test to see how well you react to other road users for eg whether you give way when required, whether you are telling other road users what you are doing by proper signaling or whether you understand and interpret correctly road markings and signals given to you by other drivers.

Answer 8

Starting the engine

Some learner drivers start the engine in gear instead of neutral and this causes the vehicle to jump forward while others do not apply the handbrake properly and this sometimes causes the vehicle to roll backwards or forwards.

Moving away

It is very important to perform overall observations before moving away so that it is safe for you to proceed. Not looking around is considered a minor driving fault which could potentially become a serious one if you have moved away when it was unsafe to do so.

Emergency stop

When stopping the vehicle in an emergency, you need to do so promptly and fast. Using both the clutch and the footbrake is a mistake committed by a lot of learners. The examiner wants to see you keep control and not skid the vehicle while attempting to stop in the least time possible.

Turn in the road

When doing a turn in the road, learners fail to do all round observations to make sure it is safe to move the vehicle. If you are unable to complete the manoeuvre within 5 moves or touch the kerb during the exercise, it will be considered as a minor driving fault.

Reverse parking

The vehicle should not be too far from the left hand kerb or parked at an angle to the kerb after completing a reverse park. It is also important to look out of the rear window while reversing and pay attention to pedestrians when performing this manoeuvre.

Left/Right reverse

On completion of a left or right reverse, the vehicle should be parallel to the kerb and not too far from it. Touching the kerb or going over the centre of the side road or mounting the pavement will be considered a minor driving error.

Ancillary controls

It is important to operate the wipers if it is raining and the windscreen is getting blurry. Also the lights on the vehicle should be switched on if it starts to get dark otherwise it could be marked down on your driving test report.

Awareness

Showing an overall awareness of what is going around you while driving is what the driving examiner is looking for. You should always stay alert for hazards like pedestrians crossing the road unexpectedly. The overall practical driving test will test to see how well you react to other road users for eg whether you give way when required, whether you are telling other road users what you are doing by proper signaling or whether you understand and interpret correctly road markings and signals given to you by other drivers.