Driving test faults and your result
There are 3 types of faults you can make:
Pass mark
You’ll pass your driving test if you make:
If you pass your test
The examiner will:
Apply for your full driving licence within 2 years of passing your test if you don’t want to get your licence automatically.
When you can start driving
You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
Contact DVLA if your full licence hasn’t arrived 3 weeks after you applied for it.
If you do not pass
The examiner will tell you what faults you made.
You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.
Appeal your driving test
You can appeal if you think your examiner didn’t follow the regulations when they carried out your test.
Your test result cannot be changed, but you might get a free retest if your appeal is successful.
How to appeal
Contact your local magistrate’s court within 6 months to appeal in England and Wales.
If you live in Scotland, contact your local sheriff’s court within 21 days.
There are 3 types of faults you can make:
- a dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
- a serious fault - something potentially dangerous
- a driving fault - this isn’t potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault
Pass mark
You’ll pass your driving test if you make:
- no more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)
- no serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)
If you pass your test
The examiner will:
- tell you what faults you made, if any
- give you a pass certificate
- ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically - give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this
Apply for your full driving licence within 2 years of passing your test if you don’t want to get your licence automatically.
When you can start driving
You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
Contact DVLA if your full licence hasn’t arrived 3 weeks after you applied for it.
If you do not pass
The examiner will tell you what faults you made.
You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.
Appeal your driving test
You can appeal if you think your examiner didn’t follow the regulations when they carried out your test.
Your test result cannot be changed, but you might get a free retest if your appeal is successful.
How to appeal
Contact your local magistrate’s court within 6 months to appeal in England and Wales.
If you live in Scotland, contact your local sheriff’s court within 21 days.
