Driving Test Report Explained
Understand your driving test faults, make sense of your result and discover what to practise next.
Your driving test report explains the faults recorded during your test. This guide will help you understand the result, discuss the feedback with your instructor and decide what to practise next.
By Gary Nolan · Grade A DVSA-approved driving instructor
At a Glance
You can pass with up to 15 driving faults, provided you have no serious or dangerous faults.
Your result is explained at the end of the test, and you receive an email with the recorded faults. Check the official result guidance.
Driving, Serious and Dangerous Faults
Driving fault: a mistake that is not potentially dangerous. Often called a “minor”, it can become serious if repeated.
Serious fault: an action that is potentially dangerous.
Dangerous fault: an action that creates actual danger to you, the examiner, another person or property.
One serious or dangerous fault means you do not pass. More than 15 driving faults also means you do not pass. The DVSA fault definitions explain the distinction.
A short category label cannot tell the whole story. Ask your instructor to help connect it to the situation, what you noticed and the decision you made.
What Does ETA Mean?
ETA means “examiner took action”. It records intervention to avoid an incident, such as telling you to act or taking control of the car. It is different from an ordinary route instruction. Read DVSA’s explanation of ETA.
What Do the Report Categories Mean?
These brief explanations help you recognise the skills mentioned in your feedback. Use them alongside your result email and DVSA’s detailed category guide.
Control and moving off
Using the controls smoothly and checking it is safe before moving.
Mirrors and signals
Checking around you and communicating your intentions at the right time.
Junctions and judgement
Approaching safely, observing effectively and choosing suitable gaps.
Speed and progress
Choosing a suitable pace without unnecessary hesitation.
Following distance and clearance
Leaving enough space behind and beside other road users.
Positioning and stopping
Using appropriate road positions and choosing safe stopping places.
Signs and crossings
Recognising instructions and responding correctly to crossings.
Awareness and planning
Anticipating hazards and acting early.
Ancillary controls
Using wipers, demisters and other secondary controls safely.
Manoeuvres
Controlling the car while observing your surroundings.
Fuel-efficient driving may also be discussed. Its separate assessment does not determine the overall result.
Which Manoeuvres Are in the Current Test?
For the car test in Great Britain, you will be asked to complete one of these reversing exercises:
Parallel parking: reversing into a space at the side of the road.
Bay parking: driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out, as directed.
Pulling up on the right: reversing for about two car lengths, then rejoining traffic.
You may also be asked to perform an emergency stop. Reversing around a corner and the turn in the road are not among the current test exercises. See what happens during the test.
Eyesight and Vehicle Safety Questions
The eyesight check uses a number plate at 20 metres for a new-style plate, or 20.5 metres for an old-style plate. If you cannot pass the check, the test ends.
You answer a “tell me” safety question before driving and complete a “show me” task while driving. Getting one or both wrong results in one driving fault; dangerous driving during the “show me” task results in a fail. Read the official test format.
Turning Feedback Into a Practice Plan
For each fault, write down three things: what happened, what you missed and what you will do differently.
For example, if junction observations need work, discuss whether your approach left enough time to assess the traffic. Then practise that skill with your instructor in a variety of situations.
The aim is to make safe decisions consistently, rather than memorise a route.
Does a Stall Automatically Mean a Fail?
A stall is not automatically a serious fault. The circumstances and consequences matter, as does how you recover. Discuss the particular incident with your instructor instead of judging the result from the word “stall” alone.
Your Next Step After the Test
If you have not passed, use the report to agree a focused lesson plan. Work through the skills that need attention before arranging another attempt.
If you have passed, the feedback can still help you develop as an independent driver. Treat it as a useful record of areas to keep improving.
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Build Your Confidence—and Get a Discount on Learner Insurance
Put your driving test feedback into practice. Extra supervised driving between lessons gives you time to work on the skills you want to improve.
Planning to practise in your own car or a family member’s car? Use our link to access a discount on Collingwood learner driver insurance.
Discount and cover are subject to eligibility and terms. Check policy fees and what happens to your cover when you pass your test.
Older Test Sheets and Video
The earlier version of this article used a numbered paper test sheet. Older materials may include exercises and layouts that differ from the current test.
Watch the original driving test report video as an archive resource. Use the current official guidance linked above for today’s test requirements.
Driving Test Preparation in Stockport
Nolan School of Motoring offers patient, professional manual driving lessons. Bring your test feedback, and we can discuss the skills you would like to improve.