How Many Minors to Fail Driving Test in the UK?

Passing your driving test feels like a big deal, and it is. But a lot of learners go into the test without really understanding how the marking system works. One of the biggest areas of confusion is minor faults. How many can you get? Can they cause you to fail? What even counts as a minor? This guide explains everything in plain, simple terms so you know exactly where you stand before test day.

Key Takeaways

• You can get up to 15 minor faults and still pass your driving test
• Getting 16 or more minors means you have automatically failed the test
• Repeating the same minor fault 3 or more times can turn it into a serious fault
• One serious or dangerous fault will always fail you, no matter how few minors you have
• Knowing the difference between fault types helps you focus on what really matters

What Is a Minor Fault on a Driving Test?

A minor fault, officially called a driving fault, is a small mistake that did not put anyone in danger. It is the least serious type of fault you can get, and one or two of them on their own will not cause you any problems.

Think of a minor as a small slip, not a safety risk. For example, checking your mirrors a little late before slowing down might be marked as a minor. Stopping slightly over a line at a junction and then correcting it could be a minor too. These are the kinds of small things that even experienced drivers do from time to time, and the DVSA understands that.

Your test lasts around 38 to 40 minutes, and during that time the examiner marks you across roughly 24 different areas. These include things like use of mirrors, steering, junctions, roundabouts, and road positioning. A minor can be recorded in any of these areas, and they all get added up at the end.

How Many Minors Can You Get Before You Fail?

The rule is simple. You can get up to 15 minor faults and still pass. If you get 16 or more, you fail. That is the official limit set by the DVSA, and there are no exceptions to it. That said, 15 is the maximum allowed, not something to aim for. Most people who pass their test get somewhere between 3 and 8 minors. If you are picking them up quickly in the early part of your test, it can make you feel anxious, and that anxiety often leads to more mistakes.

The reason the DVSA allows up to 15 minors is because real driving is not perfect. Nobody drives flawlessly every single time, and the test is not looking for perfection. It is looking for safe, steady, controlled driving. So while you should try to keep your minors low, a few of them here and there should not knock your confidence.

Can Minors Turn Into a Serious Fault?

Yes, they can, and this is something a lot of learners do not realise until it is too late. If you make the same minor fault three or more times in the same category, your examiner can upgrade it to a serious fault. A serious fault is an instant fail.

The logic behind this is simple. Making one mirror check late might just be a one-off lapse. But if you keep doing it throughout the test, it starts to look like a habit rather than a mistake. And a habit like that would be a real safety risk out on the road every day.

What Does “Same Category” Mean?

Each area of your test, such as mirrors, junctions, or steering, is its own category. If you get three minors all within the same category, that is when the examiner may decide to treat it as something more serious. So three separate mirror-related errors is more of a concern than three minors spread across three different areas.

Why Patterns Matter More Than You Think

You might feel like your test is going well because you have not made any big mistakes. But if the examiner has quietly been noting the same small error over and over in one area, your test could be closer to a fail than you realise. This is exactly why honest feedback from your instructor during practice is so important. They can spot these patterns before the examiner does.

The Most Common Minor Faults and How to Avoid Them

The DVSA releases data on test results each year, and the same fault categories keep showing up time and time again. Knowing what they are gives you a real head start.

Mirrors

Mirror faults are the most common fault recorded on UK driving tests. Most of the time it comes down to checking mirrors too late, or not making the check obvious enough. Your mirror checks need to be clear and deliberate. The examiner needs to see that you are actually looking, not just glancing.

Junctions

Not looking properly before pulling out at a junction is one of the most frequently marked errors. Some learners creep forward and hesitate too much. Others pull out before they are fully sure it is safe. The right approach is to slow right down, look carefully in both directions, and only go when you are completely sure the road is clear.

Steering

Jerky or imprecise steering often gets picked up during manoeuvres like bay parking or parallel parking. Smooth and controlled steering throughout the test is what the examiner wants to see.

Moving Off

Every time you move off from a parked position, whether at the side of the road or in a car park, you must check your mirrors and your blind spot. Skipping this even once is likely to be marked as a fault.

Road Signs and Traffic Lights

Missing a sign or reacting to a traffic light too slowly are common errors, especially when learners are concentrating hard on the physical side of driving. Try to keep your eyes scanning ahead at all times so you spot signs and signals early.

Minor, Serious, and Dangerous Faults Explained

Understanding all three types of fault helps you see the full picture and know what really matters on test day.

Minor Faults

A minor fault is a small, one-off error that did not create any danger. You are allowed up to 15 of them and still pass, as long as they are spread across different categories and none of them become a pattern.

Serious Faults

A serious fault is a mistake that could have been dangerous, even if nothing actually went wrong in that moment. Pulling out too close to another car, missing a red light, or changing lanes without looking are examples. One serious fault means you fail. It does not matter how well the rest of your test went.

Dangerous Faults

A dangerous fault is the most serious level. It means something happened that required the examiner, or another road user, to take action to avoid an accident. This might mean the examiner pressing the dual controls, or a pedestrian having to step back sharply. A dangerous fault is always an instant fail.

The Simple Way to Think About It

A test with 14 minors and no serious or dangerous faults is a pass. A test with zero minors and one serious fault is a fail. That comparison tells you everything. Focus on building safe habits that prevent the bigger faults, and accept that a few small minors along the way are completely normal.

Simple Tips to Keep Your Minor Faults Down

Keeping your minors low on test day is mostly about preparation and staying calm. Here are the things that make the biggest difference.

Do Proper Mock Tests

Ask your instructor to give you full mock tests on roads you have not driven before. This is the best way to find out which fault categories you keep picking up, so you can work on them before the real thing.

Build a Habit Before Every Move

Before every manoeuvre, go through the same routine every single time. Mirrors, signal, then move. If this becomes a genuine habit during lessons, it will still be there on test day even when your nerves kick in.

Take Your Time at Junctions

Junctions are where most faults happen. There is no rush. Approach slowly, look properly, and only go when you are fully sure. Taking an extra second at a junction is never marked as a fault. Pulling out too early can be.

Move On Quickly After a Mistake

If you make an error, reset straight away. Do not let one minor fault cause three more. The examiner has already noted it and moved on, so you should too. Each new instruction is a fresh chance to show what you can do.

Know Your Test Routes

If you know which test centre you will be using, make sure you have driven the local roads around it plenty of times. Familiar roads mean less stress and more mental space to focus on your driving.

Look After Yourself the Night Before

Sleep and food matter more than most people think. Being tired or hungry on test day affects your concentration, your reactions, and your ability to make quick decisions. Get a good night’s rest and eat something before you go in.

Final Thoughts: Know the Rules and Pass With Confidence

Understanding how the minor fault system works gives you a big advantage over learners who go into the test without this knowledge. Minors are a normal part of the test, and a few of them will not stop you from passing. What matters is keeping them spread out, not letting any one habit repeat itself, and making sure you never tip into serious or dangerous fault territory.

If you want to go into your test feeling genuinely ready, SUJA Driving School has experienced instructors who will make sure you are fully prepared and know exactly what to expect. Book Practical Driving Test and take the next step towards getting your licence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you pass your driving test with 15 minors?

Yes, you can. The official DVSA limit is 15 minor faults, so getting exactly 15 and no serious or dangerous faults is still a pass. However, most people who pass get far fewer, usually between 3 and 8. Reaching 15 means you were very close to the edge, so it is always better to aim as low as possible.

Does the examiner tell you your minors during the test?

No, the examiner will not tell you how many minors you have picked up while the test is still going. You only find out at the end during the debrief. This is why it is important not to try and guess how you are doing mid-test, as it can distract you and cause more errors.

Do minors carry over if you fail and rebook?

No, they do not. Every test is completely fresh. Any minors from a previous attempt are wiped, and you start with a clean sheet. Your examiner on the new test will have no record of how you performed before.

Can you fail just for stalling the car?

Stalling on its own is not an automatic fail. If you stall, stay calm, put the handbrake on, restart the engine, and carry on safely. It will most likely be recorded as a minor. However, if you stall in a dangerous situation, such as on a busy junction and cause another car to brake, it could become a serious fault.

How long does it take to get your test result after finishing?

Your examiner will give you your result straight away at the end of the test, usually while you are still sitting in the car or just after you return to the test centre. They will go through your marksheet with you and explain any faults you received, whether you pass or fail.

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