Understanding Your Driving Test Report: A Comprehensive Guide

When you ask the pupil to do a manoeuvre, you need to record any faults made related to:

• control
• observation

The manoeuvres are:

• pull up on the right and reverse (shown on the form as reverse/right)
• reversing into a parking space
• reverse park at the side of the road (parallel park)
• forward park into a parking space

Reverse/right (pull up on the right and reverse)

The pupil should demonstrate the ability to safely pull up on the right hand side of the road and reverse 2 car lengths. They should make effective all round observation throughout the manoeuvre showing consideration to other road users.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘control’ include:

• poor co-ordination of controls
• scrubbing or brushing the kerb
• mounting the pavement
• stalling
• reversing out into the road

Reasons to record a fault under ‘observations’ include:

• not checking blind spots
• relying too much or entirely on the mirrors
• misjudging the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles
• misjudging the speed and distance of vehicles positioning to pass from behind
• showing no or late indication of intentions
• waiting unnecessarily for other road users

Reverse park (reversing into a car park space)

The pupil should be able to control the car accurately when parking on the road or into a parking bay. They should make effective all round observations throughout the manoeuvre showing consideration to other road users.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘control’ include:

• poor co-ordination of controls
• scrubbing or brushing the kerb
• unnecessary shunting backwards and forwards
• mounting the pavement
• turning the steering wheel the wrong way
• stalling
• finishing at an acute angle to the kerb
• ending up straddling two bays

Reasons to record a fault under ‘observation’ include:

• not checking their blind spot
• relying too much or entirely on the mirrors
• making an ineffective observation
• looking but not reacting to other vehicles or pedestrians
• waiting too long for other users in the car park

Reverse park (parallel parking at the side of the road)

The pupil should be able to control the car accurately when parking on the road or into a parking bay. They should make effective all round observations throughout the manoeuvre showing consideration to other road users.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘control’ include:

• poor co-ordination of controls
• scrubbing or brushing the kerb
• unnecessary shunting backwards and forwards
• getting too close to the object car
• mounting the pavement
• turning the steering wheel the wrong way
• parking too far from the kerb
• stalling
• not completing within two car lengths
• finishing at an acute angle to the kerb

Reasons to record a fault under ‘observation’ include:

• not checking their blind spot
• relying too much or entirely on the mirrors
• making ineffective observation
• looking but not reacting to other vehicles or pedestrians

Forward park (drive in and reverse out of a parking space)

The pupil should be able to control the car accurately when forward parking into a parking bay. They should make effective, all-round observations and consideration to other road users and pedestrians.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘control’ include:

• poor co-ordination of controls
• ending up straddling two bays
• shunting forwards and backwards unnecessarily
• turning the steering wheel the wrong way
• stalling

Reasons to record a fault under ‘observation’ include:

• not checking their blind spot
• relying too much or entirely on the mirrors
• making an ineffective observation
• looking but not reacting to other vehicles or pedestrians
• waiting too long for other users in the car park

The student should demonstrate a basic understanding and application of the essential controls and safety checks specific to the car. These checks comprise:

• Checking safe fluid levels
• Testing the lights
• Examining the tyres
• Cleaning the windscreen

you should note it as a fault.

If the student answers one or two questions incorrectly or loses control while demonstrating the on-road ‘show me’ question.

The student should bring the car to a halt safely, promptly, and under full control. They should avoid locking the tyres.

• Reasons to record a fault under ‘emergency stop’ comprise of:
• failing to respond promptly or slowly to the signal.
• utilising the handbrake before coming to a halt losing control and skidding.
• failing to locate the footbrake pedal
• releasing the steering wheel.

Control is one of the assessment criteria that assess the learner’s ability to control the vehicle

The examiner will record any faults on the form related to the:

• accelerator
• clutch
• gears
• footbrake
• parking brake
• steering
• precautions
• ancillary controls

Accelerator

The pupil should use the accelerator and clutch to make a smooth start.

Reasons to record a fault include:

• Excessively pressing down on the accelerator without control.
• revving excessively

Clutch

The pupil should use the accelerator and clutch to make a smooth start. The clutch should be depressed before the car stops.

They should not allow the car to coast by running on in neutral or with the clutch depressed.

Gears

The pupil should select the correct gear to match the road and traffic conditions.

They should not allow the car to coast by running on in neutral or with the clutch depressed.

Footbrake

The pupil should use the footbrake smoothly and progressively.

Parking brake

The pupil should make full use of the parking brake to prevent the car from rolling backwards or forwards.

Steering

The pupil should steer the car as smoothly as possible. Steering too early or late may cause the car to hit the kerb or swing out towards another road user.

Precautions

Before the engine is started, the pupil should make sure that they are comfortably seated and all controls can be safely operated.

Ancillary controls

The pupil should understand the function of all the controls and switches, especially those that have a bearing on road safety. These include:

• indicators
• lights
• windscreen wipers
• demisters
• heaters

The pupil should be able to find these controls and operate them correctly, when necessary, without looking down or causing a loss of control.

Reasons to record a fault include:

• failing to use ancillary controls when necessary
• being unable to operate the controls
• being unable to locate or operate essential ancillary controls
• losing control whilst operating ancillary controls

On the form you need to record any faults made related to:

• safety
• control

Safety

Reasons to record a fault under ‘safety’ include:

• not checking their blind spot
• checking their blind spot at the wrong time
• moving away unsafely, making a blind spot check only over the left shoulder for normal stops and angle starts
• making ineffective or no observations before moving off following the ‘pull up on the right and reverse’ exercise
• pulling away with the right signal on following the ‘pull up on the right and reverse’ exercise

Control

The pupil should:

• move off smoothly and safely on a gradient and at an angle
• make the correct precautionary observations

Reasons to record a fault under ‘control’ include:

• stalling
• moving off with the handbrake applied
• rolling backwards when attempting to move off
• not engaging a gear when attempting to move off
• attempting to pull away in too high a gear

On the form you need to record any faults made related to:

• signalling
• changing direction
• changing speed

The pupil should:

• make full and effective use of all mirrors fitted to the car
• use the mirror – signal – manoeuvre (MSM) routine

Reasons to record a fault include:

• not using the exterior mirrors when essential
• using the mirrors but not reacting to the information
• not using the mirrors at all
• pulling up with no mirror checks
• increasing their speed with no mirror checks
• making late use of mirrors

Signalling

Change direction

Change speed

On the form you need to record any faults made related to signals not being:

• necessary
• correct
• timed

The pupil should give clear signals 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.

Necessary

Reasons to record a fault under ‘necessary’ include:

• failing to re-apply the signal when it self cancels
• failing to give a signal where necessary

Correctly

Reasons to record a fault under ‘correctly’ include:

• signalling unnecessarily
• giving wrong arm signals
• failing to cancel after use
• signalling incorrectly (for example signalling left for right or right for left)
• flashing the headlights at another driver to proceed or turn
• having the hazard lights on whilst on the move
• making unnecessary use of the horn
• beckoning pedestrians

Timed

Reasons to record a fault under ‘timed’ include:

• giving late exit signals at roundabouts
• arriving at a junction and then signalling
• signalling after starting the manoeuvre
• signalling far too early or too late
• giving a misleading signal before intended left and right turn

On the form you need to record any faults made related to:

• approach speed
• observation
• turning right
• turning left
• cutting corners

Approach speed

The pupil should be able to judge the correct speed of approach so that the car can enter a junction safely or stop if necessary.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘approach speed’ include:

• approaching too fast
• approaching too slow

Observation

The pupil should:

• make effective observations before moving into a junction and make sure it is safe before proceeding.
• watch out for cyclists and motorcyclists coming up on their left and pedestrians who are crossing

Reasons to record a fault under ‘observation’ include:

• not taking effective observation before emerging
• looking both ways but still emerges to affect other road users

Turning right

The car should be positioned correctly, using the correct lane. When turning right, the car should be positioned to the centre of the road as is safe. The car should not cut the corner when turning right.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘turning right’ include:

• positioning the car too far to the left
• positioning the car too far to the right
• stopping short of the turning point when turning from a major to minor road
• taking an incorrect position before turning right

Turning left

When turning left, the car should be over to the left to avoid swinging out.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘turning left’ include:

• positioning the car too far to the right or too close to the kerb
• swinging out prior to reaching the corner
• positioning the car in an unmarked inappropriate lane to turn left

Cutting corners

Record the fault under ‘cutting corners’ if the pupil cuts corners when turning from a major to minor road.

On the form you need to record any faults made related to:

• overtaking
• meeting
• crossing

The pupil should only overtake 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.

They should 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 their side or not enough room for two vehicles to pass safely, the car 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 car to complete its turn.

Overtaking

Reasons to record a fault under ‘overtaking’ include:

• cutting in after overtaking
• attempting to overtake in a hazardous place
• unsafe overtaking

Meeting

Record the fault under ‘meeting’ if the pupil fails to show proper judgement when meeting approaching traffic.

Crossing

Record the fault under ‘crossing’ if the pupil turns right across the path of oncoming road users.

On the form you need to record any faults made related to:

• normal driving
• lane discipline
• pedestrian crossings
• position/normal stop
• awareness / planning
• clearance
• following distance
• use of speed

Normal driving

Reasons to record a fault under ‘normal driving’ include:

• the car is too close to the kerb
• the car is too far from the kerb
• not using bus or cycle lanes when the times allow its use
• driving in the right hand lane on dual carriageways
• cutting across the normal road position when going ahead at roundabouts

Lane discipline

Reasons to record a fault under ‘lane discipline’ include:

• straddling marked lanes when going ahead
• straddling a bus lane

Pedestrian crossings

Reasons to record a fault under ‘pedestrian crossings’ include:

• approaching too fast
• not reacting to the lights at a pedestrian controlled crossing
• pulling away well before the crossing is clear of pedestrians
• not stopping when necessary
• beckoning pedestrians to cross

Position / normal stop

Reasons to record a fault under ‘position/normal stop’ include:

• making a normal stop in an unsafe position
• having both nearside wheels on the kerb/pavement
• stopping over a driveway
• stopping at a bus stop
• being too far from the kerb
• being too near to a junction
• stopping opposite other parked vehicles

Awareness / planning

Reasons to record a fault under ‘awareness / planning’ include:

• not considering the actions of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders
• not anticipating road and traffic conditions in good time
• reacting to other road users at the last moment rather than in good time

Clearance

The pupil should allow plenty of room when passing stationary vehicles and obstructions. They should be able 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.

Record a fault under ‘clearance’ if the pupil drives too close to stationary vehicles and obstructions.

Following distance

The car must always be a safe distance between the pupil and other vehicles.

On wet or slippery roads it takes much longer to stop.

When the car has stopped in traffic queues, sufficient space should be left to pull out if the vehicle in front has problems.

Reasons to record a fault under ‘following distance’ include:

• getting too close to moving vehicles
• pulling up too close to vehicle ahead

Use of speed

Reasons to record a fault under ‘use of speed’ include:

• driving too fast for prevailing road traffic and weather conditions
• breaking the speed limit

On the form you need to record any faults made related to:

• appropriate speed
• undue hesitation

The pupil 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 pupils 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.

Appropriate speed

Reasons to record a fault under ‘appropriate speed’ include:

• not driving at an appropriate speed for the road and traffic conditions
• holding up following traffic

Undue hesitation

Reasons to record a fault under ‘undue hesitation’ include:

• stopping unnecessarily at junctions (except traffic light controlled junctions) and other hazards
• not proceeding when it is safe to do so at junctions

On the form you need to record any faults made related to:

• traffic signs
• road markings
• traffic lights
• traffic controllers
• other road users

The pupil should:

• be able to understand and be able to react to all traffic signs and road markings
• act correctly at traffic lights, checking that the road is clear before proceeding when the green light shows
• obey all signals 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

Traffic signs

Reasons to record a fault under ‘traffic signs’ include:

• going to the wrong side of a keep left sign
• not complying with a stop sign
• not complying with a no entry sign
• driving in a bus lane when times on the sign prohibit its use
• not complying with mandatory signs

Road markings

Reasons to record a fault under ‘road markings’ include:

• crossing the solid white centre lines unnecessarily
• not conforming to directional arrows
• stopping in a yellow box junction when the exit is not clear

Traffic lights

Reasons to record a fault under ‘traffic lights include:

• waiting at a green filter light when safe to proceed
• waiting to turn right in a junction, when the red repeater light is on the opposite side and it is safe to proceed
• not conforming to a red light
• making a late reaction to the amber traffic light
• remaining at the stop line when safe to move forwards
• stopping beyond the solid white line going into an area designated for cyclists

Traffic controllers

Record a fault under ‘traffic controllers’ if the pupil fails to respond to:

• police
• traffic warden
• school crossing patrol
• other persons directing traffic

Other road users

Record a fault under ‘other road users’ if the pupil does not react appropriately to the signals given by other road users.

Record a fault under ‘ETA’ if at any point your pupil’s driving becomes dangerous and you have to take action to correct it. This action may be:

• physical
• verbal

On the form you can record any faults made related to:

• control
• planning

The pupil should drive in an eco-friendly manner to reduce pollution and save fuel. They should:

• plan well ahead and choose appropriate gears
• avoid heavy braking and over-revving of the engine, particularly when stopped or moving off
• consider stopping the engine when stopped for long periods of time