Direct answer: In standard UK driving tests, making any serious fault (often called a major fault) results in automatic failure; even a single serious fault fails the test. Minor faults (driving faults) accumulate, and you can have up to 15 of them without failing, but none of the serious/dangerous faults are allowed to occur. If a dangerous fault is identified, that also ends in an immediate fail.
Details and nuance:
- Serious faults: A single serious fault means you fail the test immediately. These faults indicate a potential safety risk or loss of essential control. Examples include failing to observe properly before a manoeuvre or compromising control in a way that could endanger others.
- Dangerous faults: These are the most severe category and also lead to immediate failure because they pose an immediate danger to you or others. The examiner may intervene if necessary.
- Driving/minor faults: You may accumulate up to 15 driving faults (minors) across the test, and still pass provided there are zero serious or dangerous faults. If you exceed the limit in a single area or pattern of mistakes, it’s treated as a major fault and can lead to failure.
- Official guidance: The driving test marking framework clearly distinguishes between minors (driving faults) and majors (serious/dangerous faults); any major fault leads to failure, and a dangerous fault is a fail immediately.
If you’re preparing for a test:
- Practice high-risk scenarios (junctions, roundabouts, merging, mirrors checks) with a focus on consistent observation and vehicle control to minimize the chance of serious faults.
- Review typical major fault triggers such as failure to respond to hazards, incorrect lane positioning on roundabouts, or not using mirrors when required.
If you want, I can tailor a study plan or checklist based on the specific driving tasks you’re practicing (e.g., roundabouts, crossroads, reverse manoeuvres) to help you avoid major faults.
