In short You can have up to 15 driving faults (minors) and no serious or dangerous faults (majors). A 16th minor fails the test, and one serious or dangerous fault fails it however few minors you have. Repeating the same minor fault can be marked as a serious fault on its own.
Updated 9 November 2026 · Source: GOV.UK car driving test guidance, checked 9 November 2026
The three kinds of fault
| Fault | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Driving fault (minor) | Not potentially dangerous on its own | A slightly late signal with nobody around |
| Serious fault (major) | Potentially dangerous | Pulling out at a junction without looking properly |
| Dangerous fault (major) | Actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property | Another driver has to brake hard or swerve |
The pass mark
- Up to 15 driving faults: you pass.
- 16 or more driving faults: you fail.
- Any serious or dangerous fault: you fail.
The Driving Test Routes app runs mock tests that score each drive and list the faults to work on
When minors become a serious fault
There is no fixed number. If you make the same mistake again and again (say, poor mirror checks before several turns), the examiner can decide it shows a pattern that is potentially dangerous and mark it as serious. Three or four of the same minor is a warning sign to work on before the test.
The faults that come up most
- Not looking properly at junctions
- Not using mirrors before changing direction
- Moving off unsafely or without control
- Steering: clipping kerbs or swinging wide
- Turning right at junctions: position and judging gaps
- Response to traffic lights
- Lane position, especially on roundabouts
- Reverse parking: control and observation
Small things that add minors
- A show me or tell me question answered wrongly (one driving fault for one or both).
- Driving too slowly for the road ("undue hesitation" and "progress").
- Late or missing signals.
- Stalling, or rolling back on a hill start.
Running a mock test at home? See how to mark a mock driving test.
Frequently asked questions
How many minors can you get and still pass?
15. With 16 or more driving faults you fail, and any serious or dangerous fault fails the test whatever the number of minors.
Can 3 minors of the same kind fail you?
There is no fixed number, but repeating the same fault can be marked as a serious fault if the examiner sees a potentially dangerous pattern.
Is stalling a minor or a major?
Usually a minor. It becomes serious if you stall somewhere dangerous, such as on a roundabout, and do not deal with it safely.
What is the difference between a serious and a dangerous fault?
A serious fault was potentially dangerous; a dangerous fault caused actual danger to someone or something. Either one fails the test.
Do I get a minor for a wrong show me tell me answer?
Yes, one driving fault if you get one or both questions wrong.
Read next
Practise on the roads around your test centre
The Driving Test Routes app turns your phone into a practice coach for the practical test.
- Practice routes around UK test centres, with voice directions
- Mock tests that score the drive and list the faults to work on
- All 21 show me tell me questions, with photos of each control
- An emergency stop drill that times your reaction