Bolton Driving Instructor-Reason for test fail

Reasons that students fail their test

Reasons why people fail their Driving Test

The DVSA have conducted the research into why students fail their driving test, we are going to look at the Top 10 reasons and a more in depth analysis of what causes it to happen.

The current pass rate for the country hovers around 46% and has done for over 10 years, the main reason for this if you talk to an examiner, is a simple one, people go to their test before they are ready to drive on their own, unprepared to deal with the dangers and risks that come from independent driving.

Choosing the correct instructor can make such a massive difference to a students understanding, risk taking and the most important one, their confidence. So when you look for an instructor and are trying to find the cheapest one available, there is a reason why they are so cheap!.

Here at ‘DrivingSafe’ we are committed to helping you achieve your licence and being safe and responsible, this is why in 2020 our students pass rate at Bolton test centre was 92%.

Its not just about the lessons, its about the content and what you do in-between each lessons with the training material we supply FREE to our students.

So let’s get stuck in to the reasons people fail their driving test.

Bolton Driving Instructor-Reason for test fails

Number 1-Observations at Junctions

This included all junctions, whether it be at roundabouts, T junctions, Crossroads or even traffic lights and the usual reason is over confidence of your ability to control the car and be aware of what is going to be in your path.

A lot of this comes from influences, no not the social media type that convince you something is great, but the ones in everyday life, such as the way parents drive or your friends, you see them just go at junctions and think it’s ok to do.

With around 60% of crashes happening within a couple of miles of people homes, what could be the main reason for this?, if you said over confidence you would be right, next time you see that influencer just pulling out of a junction ask them”why didn’t you look to see what was coming”.

Their answer will probably be “cause nothing ever comes”, but one day something will come and they will end up with a fault claim on their insurance costing them thousands in increased costs for many years to come, plus the danger to themselves, passengers and the other people involved.

I believe it stems from just being lazy, how much effort does it really take to move your head and control the car?

Number 2 -Checking Mirrors when you change direction

How many times have you seen a car with damage down the side of it?, take some time when you are next out and have a look (just make sure you are not the one driving) .

So the routine you should do is ?????

M.S.M, Which equates to Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre, so before you move that steering wheel you should be checking the rear view mirror for what is behind you and how close it is, then the door mirror of the direction you are planning on going, before the signal which gives other roads users an idea of your intended direction and all done before you move.

My students will know what I call the door mirrors to help they remember what could be coming down the sides of the car, we have ‘BOB” boy on a bike, then “TOM” teenager on a motorbike, how would it make you feel if you hit one and seriously hurt them or worse killed them, all because you are to lazy to move your head.

Number 3 -Steering Control

This is a simple one to control yet some students are unable to steer the car correctly when they go to test!, Wow you probably say and I agree, but hold up a minute don’t nerves play a part in going to test, yes they do, however if you are ready to drive on your own, you would be confident in your ability.

The cause of this is simple, not steering at the correct moment, for example when Turing left at at T junction, not following the curb around and leaving a big enough gap for BOB to get down or even another car, causing danger of moving into it.

Or even when emerging not steering enough which puts the car in the opposite lane with cars coming towards you.
I could go on about this one, there are so many reasons why you should control the steering to ensure you stay safe.

Number 4- Turning right at Junctions

The right turn into a junction, cutting the corner and effecting the oncoming traffic, usually caused by the student attempting to beat the oncoming traffic. Don’t take chances its not worth the agro of crashing, there are people out there that will see that as a meal ticket and crash into you to get the insurance.

The emerging from a T junction, not looking correctly in both directions or miss judging the gap and pulling out when there is not a safe gap to go.

Number 5 -Move off safely

This is more to do with observations than anything, not checking the blind spots effectively, or checking them and not moving off straight away, basically not re-checking if a car was coming and prevented you from moving.

There are 6 points of observations, the left blind spot, left door mirror, centre mirror, the road ahead, the right door mirror and then right blind spot and move if safe to do, if not safe then wait and check all 6 points again, but look and see, don’t just move your head and think you will notice because all your brain will do is fill in the gaps, easily missing a bike for instance.

Number 6- Response to signs -Traffic lights

This is a simple one, going through a red light, but have you heard of stopping on a green light?
Yes it does happen and I see it on a daily basis, extremely dangerous as the other drivers behind you would not expect it and could hit the back of you.

Your probably saying ‘well they hit me, so it’s their fault’, unfortunately that’s not how insurance companies might see it, especially if there is dash cam footage, it would probably go as a 50/50 claim, so both of you have a fault claim costing thousands each.

Number 7 -Move off Control

On your test you will be asked to “pull up in a safe place” about 5 times.

Another simple one to explain, the main issue is rushing and not getting the bite and gas mix right, causing a stall.

I say to my students when you are asked to pull up and have done so, take a breath, control and give yourself the time to do it, it is not a race, you are out for about 40 minutes, they will not take you back early.

Number 8 -Position normal stops

You know those bike parts at traffic lights, the ones you are supposed to stay out of, well if you go in one, it’s at your own peril as that’s a fail.

What about over shooting your road markings at junction so the car is stuck out effecting traffic in the other road.

What about when pulling up, how far from a junction should you be?, or a drive?

Number 9 -Response to signs-road markings

This is so important to get a good habit going, I get my students early on to start telling me about road signs, miss one and you could be speeding or worse going up a one way street the wrong way.

There is a great book, which by the way I give free to all my students called ‘Know your traffic signs’, it gives you the meaning of all signs and road markings that are out there on todays roads.

It’s worth keeping up to date, for instance who knows what a tiger crossing is?, another example of an update that people don’t know about. It is your responsibility to keep your knowledge up to date.

Number 10- reverse park-Control

Most issues are not getting the car in to the bay, all 4 wheels must be inside the lines not on them.
You are only allowed one shunt, that is go forward again and re-adjust the car.

Again trying to do it too fast or slow, not looking effectively around you and controlling the car if something is moving.

There are many more reasons that students fail a driving test, but these are the top ones, so next time your instructor says to you,” I don’t think you’re ready” listen to them they are the experts that deal with driving tests on a day to day basis.

Your driving instructor doesn’t tell you how to do your job, because we are not experts in it, we pay thousands of pounds for our training and update our skills regularly so that we can give you guys the confidence you need.

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