The Top 10 reasons for failing the driving test – 2025 report
Driving Test Failures 2025
We reported almost exactly a year ago on the latest figures from the DVSA on the main reasons for failing the driving test. The agency has recently issued its latest report on this. At first glance you could be forgiven that all they have done is re-issue last year’s report!
The top 10 reasons are all exactly the same as the year before. Last year was the first time we reported on this for 5 years and in those years there were some changes to the issues causing test fails. On close inspection two out of the 10 resons have changed places in the list – otherwise they are all exactly the same!
Top 10 reasons for failing the driving test
- Not making effective observation at junctions
- Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
- Not moving off safely
- Incorrect position when turning right at junctions
- Not responding appropriately to traffic lights
- Not having proper control of the steering
- Not responding correctly to road markings (position 8 last year)
- Not responding correctly to traffic signs (position 7 last year)
- Poor positioning on the road during normal driving
- Not driving at a safe and reasonable speed
We reported last year quite extensively on the underlying issues with each of these so I am not intending going into this in detail again this time. Please refer to the report from 2024 to see more information on each of these categories.
Focus on goals – not the test!
At Training Wheelz our lessons are goal-focused rather than test-focused. Our aim is to produce confident drivers who are able to think for themselves. We don’t just drive ‘test routs’. We prefer to take people on roads they have never driven before – once we feel they are competent and confident enough to do so. With many of our learners coming from homes in very rural locations it is important that they develop the ability to think for themselves so they can make safe decisions.
James – zero fault test pass!
One very recent example produced by our great team of instructors was James who, under the guidance of Claire Cross, gained his full licence with a ZERO fault test pass!
If you would like to find out more about us or to book your lessons please get in touch with us via the number at the top of the main page or, alternatively, use the ‘contact us’ link to send an email.
