Test Advice from the DVSA What is tested and how is it marked?
Below is some information which we hope you will find useful as you work towards your driving test. No-one likes being tested, but half the battle is won if you have an idea of what the examiner is looking for and how your performance will be marked.
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Controlled stop (Emergency Stop) – promptness / control
1 in 3 tests will have an emergency stop
Competence
Display a high level of skill in bringing the vehicle to a stop, safely, promptly and under full control avoiding locking the wheels.
Remember, in wet weather it can take twice as long to stop safely.
Assessment criteria (example = control)
Driving fault
Locking the wheels, resulting in skidding for a short distance, but demonstrating effective skills in regaining control.
Serious fault
Very harsh braking, resulting in locking the wheels. Vehicle continues to skid out of control, with either ineffective or no attempt to regain control
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above loss of control that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Pull up on the right – control / observation
Competence
Demonstrate the ability to safely pull up on the right hand side of the road and reverse 2 car lengths. Effective all round observation throughout the manoeuvre is required showing consideration to other road users.
Assessment criteria (example = control)
Driving fault
A misjudgement of the speed and distance of an approaching vehicle when beginning to move over to the right hand side of the road. Safety of other road users was not compromised.
Serious fault
A misjudgement of the speed and distance of an approaching vehicle, causing the driver to brake heavily to allow candidate to proceed to the right hand side of the road.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above loss of control that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Reverse park road / car park, control / observation
Competence
Ability to control the vehicle accurately when parking on the road or into a parking bay. Effective all round observation throughout the manoeuvre showing consideration to other road users.
Assessment criteria (example = control)
Driving fault
Re-positioning required to correct a loss of control or accuracy.
Serious fault
Excessive re-positioning to correct complete misjudgement and /or significant loss of control. Final parking position parking – outside the bay.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above loss of control that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Vehicle checks
Competence
Display and demonstrate a basic knowledge and use of the fundamental controls and safety checks applicable to the vehicle. For example safe fluid levels, lighting and tyre checks and washing the windscreen.
Assessment criteria (examples)
Driving fault
Category A & domestic categories: One driving fault for one or both questions answered incorrectly.
Category B: Answering one ‘tell me’ question incorrectly and/or displaying a minor loss of vehicle control whilst demonstrating the on-road ‘show me’ question. Category C, D, B+E & ADI: One driving fault for each question answered incorrectly.
Category C+E & D+E: One driving fault for each question answered incorrectly.
Serious fault
Category A & domestic categories: not applicable.
Category B Displaying serious loss of control whilst demonstrating the on-road ‘show me’ question.
Category C,D,B+E & ADI: All five questions answered incorrectly.
Category C+E & D+E: Both questions answered incorrectly.
Dangerous fault
Category B: Displaying an actual dangerous loss of vehicle control whilst demonstrating the on-road ‘show me’ question requiring examiner action to prevent a collision.
Not applicable to all categories other than category B.
Forward park – control / observation
Competence
Ability to control the vehicle accurately when forward parking into a parking bay. Effective, all round observation and consideration to other road users and pedestrians.
Assessment criteria (example = observation)
Driving fault
Finishing the exercise with one or two wheels on the parking bay line.
Serious fault
Finishing the exercise with one or two wheels fully in the bay adjacent to the intended bay.
Dangerous fault
Loss of control resulting in examiner taking action to prevent the candidate from hitting a vehicle in the adjacent bay.
Precautions
Competence
Before the engine is started, the candidate should make sure that they are comfortably seated and all controls can be safely operated.
Assessment criteria (example)
Driving fault
After stalling at a road junction, handbrake applied but attempts to start the engine whilst in gear.
Serious fault
At a road junction, engine started whilst in gear, resulting in vehicle entering the new road with potential risk to other road users.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by a lack of ability to recognise the need to operate or being unable to operate the controls, which directly affects other traffic or pedestrians and causes actual danger.
Control – accelerator, clutch, gears, footbrake, parking brake
Competence
This section covers, where appropriate, the safe and controlled use of accelerator, clutch, gears, footbrake, parking brake, and steering. The vehicles controls should be used as smoothly as possible, For example:
Making proper use of: Accelerator and clutch to make a smooth stop -the clutch should be depressed before the vehicle stops.
The correct gear should be selected to match the road and traffic conditions. The vehicle should not be allowed to coast by running on in neutral or with the clutch depressed.
The footbrake should be used smoothly and progressively.
Full use of the parking brake should be used, to prevent the vehicle rolling backwards or forwards.
The vehicle should be steered as smoothly as possible. Steering too early / late, may cause the vehicle to hit the kerb or swing out towards another road user.
Assessment criteria (example = gears)
Driving fault
Incorrect gear selection, resulting in a reduction in vehicle speed with no risk to following vehicles.
Serious fault
Incorrect gear selection, resulting in a sudden reduction in vehicle speed, causing following traffic to alter speed/or direction.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above control faults, that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Move off safety / control
Competence
The ability to move off smoothly and safely, on a gradient and at an angle. Taking the correct precautionary observations.
Assessment criteria (example = safely)
Driving fault
Incorrect timing of the blind spot check when moving off with no risk to other road users. For example, checking the blind spot after the vehicle has moved off.
Serious fault
Moving off into the path of traffic or failing to take observation at all.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above lack of observation, that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Use of mirrors
Competence
Full and effective use of all mirrors fitted to the vehicle.
Mirrors must be checked carefully before signalling, changing direction or changing speed.
Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre (MSM) routine should be displayed effectively.
Assessment criteria (example = change direction)
Driving fault
Late use of exterior mirror before changing direction.
Serious fault
Did not use the exterior mirror before a significant change in direction.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above serious neglect of using the mirrors, that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, and the general public or property.
Signals – Necessary / correctly / timed
Competence
Signals should be given clearly to let other road users know the intended course to be taken. Signals shown in the Highway Code should only be used, if it would help other road users (including pedestrians).
Signals should be given in good time and cancelled after the manoeuvre has been completed.
Pedestrians should not be beckoned to cross the road.
Assessment criteria – (example = necessary)
Driving fault
Signal applied but cancelled before the change in direction was complete.
Serious fault
Omitted an essential signal to inform other road user of a change in direction.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above fault, that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Clearance – obstructions
Competence
Plenty of room should be allowed when passing stationary vehicles and obstructions. Ability to display the readiness to be prepared to slow down or stop, as a door may open, a child may run out or a vehicle may pull out without warning.
Assessment criteria (example)
Driving fault
Too close to a stationary vehicle when road conditions allowed the correct clearance.
Serious fault
Narrowly avoided a collision with a stationary vehicle when road conditions enabled the correct and safe course to be taken.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above fault, due to passing dangerously close to, or striking a stationary vehicle, that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Response to signs and signals – traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights, traffic controllers, other road users
Competence
Ability to understand and be able to react to all traffic signs and road markings. Acting correctly at traffic lights, checking that the road is clear before proceeding when the green light shows.
All signals should be obeyed given by police officers, traffic wardens and school crossing patrols.
Display the awareness to be able to react to signals given by other road users, including people in charge of animals, and be ready to act accordingly.
Assessment criteria (example = traffic lights)
Driving fault
Late reaction to an amber traffic light, with no effect to safety.
Serious fault
Failing to comply correctly and promptly with an appropriate traffic light or breaching a legal requirement.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above breach of a legal requirement that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property. Action (ETA) may be required to avoid a legal requirement being breached.
Use of speed
Competence
Safe and reasonable progress should be made along the road bearing in mind the road, traffic and weather conditions and the road signs and speed limits.
The vehicle should be able to stop safely, well within the distance you can see to be clear.
Assessment criteria (example)
Driving fault
Drove too fast for the prevailing road and / or traffic conditions for a short period.
Serious fault
Going too fast for the prevailing road and / or traffic conditions, exceeding speed limits.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about driving far too fast that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, and the general public or property.
Action (ETA) may be required to avoid a legal requirement being breached. Discretion must obviously be exercised in the degree to be considered acceptable and the tolerance threshold over any speed limit must be quite small.
Following distance
Competence
The vehicle must always be a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. On wet or slippery roads it takes much longer to stop.
When the vehicle has stopped in traffic queues, sufficient space should be left to pull out if the vehicle in front has problems.
Assessment criteria (example)
Driving fault
Did not maintain the full separation distance required.
Serious fault
Drove too close to the vehicle ahead, where the separation distance left little margin for error.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by dangerously driving too close to the car in front that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, and the general public or property.
Action (ETA) should be taken as necessary to increase separation distance and so avoid the possibility of a collision.
Progress, appropriate speed, undue hesitation
Competence
Candidates should drive at a safe and appropriate speed for the prevailing road and traffic conditions. Speed limits are not target speeds and there will be occasions where candidates need to reduce their speed to deal safely with situations such as
narrow residential streets or busy high streets; this should not be considered as a fault.
Assessment criteria (example = undue hesitation)
Driving fault
Lack of judgement, not proceeding when it is safe and correct to do so.
Serious fault
Stopping and waiting when it is safe and reasonable to proceed.
Dangerous fault
It is unlikely that undue hesitancy could become dangerous in itself unless it was felt that this created situations that encouraged other road users to put themselves at risk.
Junctions – (including roundabouts) approach speed, observation, turning right, turning left, cutting corners
Competence
Ability to judge the correct speed of approach so that the vehicle can enter a junction safely or stop if necessary.
The vehicle should be positioned correctly, using the correct lane. When turning right, the vehicle should be positioned to the centre of the road as is safe. The vehicle should not cut the corner when turning right.
When turning left, the vehicle should be over to the left to avoid swinging out. Watch out for cyclists and motorcyclists coming up on your left and pedestrians who are crossing.
Effective observation must be given before moving into a junction and making sure it is safe before proceeding.
Assessment criteria (example = observation)
Driving fault
A misjudgement of the speed and distance of an approaching vehicle. Safety of other road users was not compromised.
Serious fault
Not taking effective observation before emerging at junctions, and emerging into the path of other vehicles.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the severe lack of effective observation that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Judgement – overtaking, meeting, crossing
Competence
Overtaking should only be carried out when it is safe to do so.
A sufficient safety margin should be left when other vehicles are being overtaken. Cyclists and motorcyclists need as much space as other vehicles; they can wobble or swerve suddenly.
Do not cut in too quickly after overtaking.
Care should be taken when the width of the road is restricted or when the road narrows. If there is an obstruction on your side or not enough room for two vehicles to pass safely, the vehicle should be prepared to wait and let the approaching vehicles through.
When turning right, other vehicles should not have to stop, slow down or swerve to allow the vehicle to complete its turn.
Assessment criteria (example = meeting)
Driving fault
Late reaction when meeting approaching vehicles.
Serious fault
Placing other drivers at risk by driving forward when they should have clearly given way.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the inability to meet approaching traffic that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, and the general public or property.
Positioning – normal driving, lane discipline
Competence
The vehicle should be positioned correctly for the intended route.
Where lanes are marked, the vehicle should be positioned to the middle of the lane. Straddling lane markings should be avoided. Do not change lanes unnecessarily.
Assessment criteria (example = normal driving)
Driving fault
Positioning errors when driving too close to the kerb.
Serious fault
Persistently driving too close to the kerb, placing pedestrians at risk.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by driving dangerously close to the kerb that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, and the general public or property.
Pedestrian crossings
Competence
The ability to recognise the different types of pedestrian crossings and show courtesy and consideration towards pedestrians.
At all crossings the vehicle should slow down and stop if there is anyone on the crossing. At zebra crossings the vehicle should slow down and be prepared to stop if there is anyone waiting to cross.
Ability to give way to any pedestrians on a pelican crossing when the amber lights are flashing.
Ability to give way to cyclists as well as pedestrians on a toucan crossing and act correctly at puffin crossings.
Assessment criteria (example)
Driving fault
Late to react to flashing amber at a ‘pelican’ crossing.
Serious fault
Failing to give way to pedestrians who had started to cross at a ‘pelican’ crossing.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above fault that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Position/normal stops
Competence
The ability to choose a safe, legal and convenient place to stop, close to the edge of the kerb, where the vehicle will not obstruct the road and create a hazard. Display an understanding of – how and where to stop without causing danger to other road users.
Assessment criteria (example)
Driving fault
Stopped, partially blocking a driveway with no inconvenience to other road users.
Serious fault
Stopped, completely blocking a driveway inconveniencing vehicle attempting to pull out.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above fault that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, the general public or property.
Awareness / planning
Competence
Display an awareness and consideration for other road users at all times.
Ability to think and plan ahead, judging what other road users are going to do, predicting how their actions will affect the vehicle, and react in good time.
Ability to consider the actions of the more vulnerable groups of road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.
Anticipating road and traffic conditions, acting in good time, rather than reacting to them at the last moment.
Assessment criteria (example)
Driving fault
Late reaction to what other road users are doing.
Serious fault
Last minute and sudden reaction to other road users compromising their safety.
Dangerous fault
Any situation brought about by the above fault that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, and the general public or property.
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