Each year, thousands of individuals fail their driving tests due to common driving test mistakes. A clear understanding of the difference between major and minor faults is essential for successfully passing the exam. While minor faults may not directly result in failure, accumulating too many can ultimately lead to a failed test. In contrast, a major fault typically results in an immediate fail. In this guide, we will thoroughly explore the characteristics of each type of fault and provide practical tips on how to avoid them, ensuring a higher likelihood of success.
Understanding Driving Test Faults: Majors vs. Minors
What is a Major Faults in Driving Test?
When taking a driving test, major faults (also known as “serious faults”) are significant errors that indicate a lack of control, safety, or understanding of road rules. These faults often result in an automatic failure because they pose risks to the driver, passengers, or other road users. Below is a breakdown of major faults with examples to help you better understand them.
1. Failing to Observe Properly
Proper observation is crucial for safe driving. If a driver neglects this, it’s considered a major fault.
Example: Failing to check blind spots before merging or changing lanes, leading to a potential collision.
2. Not Responding to Hazards
Drivers must anticipate and react appropriately to hazards. Ignoring or mishandling them shows poor judgment.
Example: Not slowing down for pedestrians at a zebra crossing or failing to adjust speed when approaching a sharp turn.
3. Breaking Traffic Laws
Strict adherence to traffic rules is expected during the test. Violations can have serious consequences.
Example: Running a red light, exceeding the speed limit, or failing to yield at a roundabout.
4. Poor Vehicle Control
Drivers need to demonstrate precise control of the vehicle, including smooth gear changes and proper use of pedals.
Example: Stalling the car in the middle of an intersection or rolling back on a hill start.
5. Unsafe Lane Changes
Changing lanes unsafely is a critical fault, as it increases the risk of accidents.
Example: Swerving into another lane without signaling or cutting off another vehicle.
6. Inappropriate Use of Speed
Driving too fast or too slow for road and traffic conditions is considered a major fault.
Example: Driving below the speed limit on a clear highway, causing inconvenience to other drivers.
7. Incorrect Parking or Reversing
Parking and reversing require precision and awareness. Poor execution can indicate a lack of skill.
Example: Reversing into a driveway without checking for pedestrians or parked vehicles.
8. Failing to Follow Examiner’s Instructions
Not following directions given by the examiner can be seen as a lack of awareness or understanding.
Example: Ignoring a request to make a right turn and proceeding straight instead.
How Majors Affect Your Test Result:
Major faults significantly impact your driving test result as they indicate unsafe or inappropriate driving behaviors. These faults are assessed as serious enough to demonstrate that you’re not yet ready to handle a vehicle independently on public roads. Here’s how they affect your test:
1. Immediate Failure
A single major fault typically results in an automatic failure of the test. This is because such errors demonstrate that your driving poses a potential risk to yourself, your passengers, or other road users.
2. Safety Concerns
Major faults highlight areas where your driving lacks essential safety measures, such as proper observation, vehicle control, or adherence to traffic rules. These concerns must be addressed before you can be considered a competent driver.
3. Need for Reassessment
Failing due to a major fault means you’ll need to book another test after further practice and preparation. This ensures you gain confidence and correct the errors that led to the fault.
4. Impact on Confidence
For many test-takers, a major fault can feel discouraging. However, it’s an opportunity to focus on areas of improvement, ensuring you’re fully prepared for future tests.
What is a Minor Fault in Driving Test?
Minor faults (also called “driving faults”) are small errors or lapses in driving performance that don’t pose an immediate danger to safety. These faults indicate areas for improvement but do not necessarily mean you will fail the test unless they accumulate or are repeated frequently.
Common Examples of Minor Faults
1. Improper Use of Mirrors
Example: Checking mirrors too late or not glancing at the rearview mirror when slowing down.
2. Hesitation
Example: Taking too long to proceed at a junction, even when it’s safe to go.
3. Inconsistent Steering
Example: Slightly veering within the lane or making a delayed correction to steering.
4. Incorrect Signaling
Example: Signaling too early or forgetting to cancel a signal after completing a turn.
5. Clutch Control Issues
Example: Holding the clutch down for too long when it’s not necessary, such as while coasting.
6. Poor Road Positioning
Example: Driving too close to the curb or being slightly off-center in your lane.
7. Incomplete Observations
Example: Quickly glancing instead of thoroughly checking at roundabouts or junctions.
How Minor Faults Affect the Test Result
Accumulation Matters: A few minor faults are acceptable, but if you commit too many (e.g., more than 15 in some regions), it may result in failure.
Pattern Recognition: Repeating the same minor fault multiple times (e.g., consistently forgetting to check mirrors) may escalate it to a major fault.
Room for Improvement: While they don’t necessarily lead to failure, minor faults indicate areas to refine for safer, more confident driving.
Tips to Avoid Major and Minor Faults
Practice Observation and Awareness
Make a habit of checking mirrors, blind spots, and surroundings. Regularly practicing these actions will help you develop good driving habits, which can prevent major faults.
Stay Calm and Collected
Nerves can lead to rushed or unpredictable decisions, increasing the risk of dangerous faults. Focus on calm, controlled movements, and give yourself time to react thoughtfully to road situations. Attending driving classes helps you gain hands-on experience, improve road awareness, and master essential driving techniques under professional guidance.
Take Professional Lessons
A certified instructor can help you identify and correct common mistakes, helping you avoid both major and minor faults on test day. Ensure you take proper lessons from a certified driving school to build essential skills, correct common mistakes, and increase your confidence on the road. ADC Driving School provides separate classes for driving test skills in major cities and trains about major faults in the test fail process.
Simulate Test Conditions
Practicing in realistic conditions, such as during peak traffic or varied weather, will prepare you for situations you might encounter during the test.
Common Major and Minor Faults and How to Avoid Them
Major Faults to Avoid
Failing to Stop at Intersections: Always observe stop signs and traffic lights, and avoid rolling stops.
Unsafe Overtaking: Only overtake when it’s safe and necessary, and check all blind spots.
Incorrect Lane Usage: Stay in the correct lane and change lanes smoothly with proper signaling.
Minor Faults to Minimize
Improper Use of Mirrors: Practice checking mirrors frequently, especially before any maneuver.
Inconsistent Speed Control: Maintain a steady speed that’s appropriate for the road and traffic conditions.
Incomplete Signaling: Always signal well in advance to inform other road users of your actions.
Final Thoughts: Aiming for a Fault-Free Test
Understanding major and minor faults can be the key to passing your driving test. Focusing on building strong driving habits, staying calm, and practicing regularly will reduce your chances of committing avoidable mistakes. Remember, examiners are looking for safe and responsible driving, so avoid rushing or overthinking, and demonstrate a steady and controlled approach to every action you take on the road.
Passing your driving test can be a great accomplishment. By understanding the difference between major and minor faults and focusing on ways to avoid them, you’re setting yourself up for success. Stay confident, practice diligently, take proper classes from driving school and remember to stay mindful on the road—good luck!
