Checked against DVSA guidance on GOV.UK in October 2026.
The pass mark
GOV.UK states the pass mark for the car driving test. You'll pass if you make:
- no more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called "minors")
- no serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called "majors")
Both conditions have to be true. Here's how that plays out:
| Driving faults | Serious faults | Dangerous faults | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Pass |
| 15 | 0 | 0 | Pass |
| 16 | 0 | 0 | Fail |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | Fail |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | Fail |
If you're not sure what separates a driving fault from a serious one, read driving test faults explained first.
Why 15 is a limit, not a target
It's tempting to treat 15 as an allowance. The DVSA's marking guidance explains why that's risky. A driving fault on its own doesn't fail you, but a candidate who habitually commits a driving fault in one aspect of driving can't be regarded as competent, and the repeated fault can then be marked as a serious fault. The guide to assessment and marking gives the example of a driver who habitually doesn't check the mirrors when they should.
In practice, six driving faults spread across six different skills is a very different drive from six driving faults all for the same thing. The first suggests a few one-off slips. The second suggests a habit, and habits are what examiners look for.
Serious and dangerous faults don't add up at all: one is enough to fail. That's why most of your preparation should go into avoiding the big mistakes, not counting the small ones.
What counts as one fault
Examiners are trained to record faults consistently:
- One mistake, one mark. A single error isn't marked twice under different headings.
- Small things aren't recorded. Deviations that don't affect safety, like dry steering, are "not worthy" of a mark.
- The 16th fault test. Before recording any driving fault, the examiner asks whether they could justify failing you if it were your 16th. If not, it isn't recorded.
- Vehicle safety questions count once. Getting one or both of the show me, tell me questions wrong is a single driving fault.
If you make a mistake during the test
You won't be told your fault count as you go. GOV.UK says you can carry on if you make a mistake, and it might not affect your result if it's not serious. The examiner will only stop the test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.
The examiner makes notes throughout, including marking that you've done certain parts of the test, so don't assume every note is a fault. Put the mistake behind you and concentrate on the road ahead. Dwelling on it only takes your attention off the road.
What happens at the end of the test
If you pass, the examiner tells you what faults you made, if any, and gives you a pass certificate. They'll ask whether you want your full licence sent to you automatically. You can start driving straight away, as long as you have insurance that lets you drive unsupervised.
If you don't pass, the examiner tells you what faults you made. You have to book another test and pay again, choosing a date at least 10 working days away. You can only appeal if you can prove the examiner didn't follow the law, and even then the result can't be changed. You might get a refund or a free retest.
Where most faults come from
The DVSA publishes the top 10 reasons for failing the driving test. For April 2024 to March 2025, the top five were:
- not making effective observations at junctions
- not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
- not moving off safely
- incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions
- not responding appropriately to traffic lights
If any of these come up regularly in your lessons, that's where to spend your practice time.
Knowing when you're ready
The DVSA says you'll usually be ready for your test when you don't need prompts from your instructor, you don't make serious or dangerous mistakes, you can pass mock tests, you've practised managing your nerves, and your instructor agrees. Mock tests matter because they show your fault count under test conditions, not just on a good lesson.
Driving Test Simulator is an independent practice tool, not affiliated with the DVSA. It adds up your result using the same rule: more than 15 driving faults, or any serious or dangerous fault, is a fail. It doesn't replace mock tests with your instructor, but it lets you sit extra ones whenever you like.
Questions
How many minors can you get on a driving test?
Up to 15. You pass the car driving test with 15 driving faults (minors) or fewer, as long as you make no serious or dangerous faults. A 16th driving fault means you fail.
Can you fail with only a few driving faults?
Yes. Any single serious or dangerous fault fails the test, whatever your driving fault total. And if you keep making the same driving fault, the examiner can mark it as a serious fault.