Most common reasons UK learners 'trip up' on their driving test
Over half of UK learners failed their driving test in 2022 with many not getting their license for the same reason.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have revealed the most common ways that learners fail their driving test.
According to the DVSA, over 1.6 million driving tests took place during 2022, with over half of them ending in failure.
Andrew Jervis, the CEO of ClickMechanic sympathised with drivers who are gearing up to get their driving licence as he gave advice on how to avoid mistakes.
He said: "Driving tests can be a nerve-wracking experience for many learners and it's understandable that mistakes are made along the way.
"While there is an allowance for a maximum of 15 minor mistakes, such as bay parking or signal usage, there is a zero tolerance for major mistakes - something that causes or could cause danger to you, the examiner, the public or property."
Looking at the DVSA's data, Andrew was able to highlight that the most common reasons why learners have to take another test were caused by forgetting simple tasks.
He said: "Our research shows observation at junctions and use of mirrors while changing direction to be the most regular reasons for failing driving tests for each of the past four years.
"It highlights these are the two areas learner drivers really need to be aware of when taking their tests as the evidence shows they're most likely to trip you up."
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During 2022, 93,855 learners failed their test due to their observation at junctions, an increase of over 11,000 compared to the year before, and a further 74,125 didn't pass because they didn't check their mirrors enough, up over 10,000 over 2021 figures.
Other common reasons why people failed the test in 2022 includes not setting off safely, turning right at junctions without observing all directions of traffic and bad steering.
However, compared to the previous year's figures, those who took their test in 2022 were more comfortable around traffic lights, with fewer failing for that reason.
ClickMechanic also highlighted that the DVSA are working on changes to the way the driving test takes place, getting feedback from learners and driving instructors.
Proposed alterations include how a learner's eyesight is examined, issuing digital certificates when the theory test is passed and giving drivers more information about their examiner before they take the test.
Whilst these changes are currently unconfirmed, improvements to the way driving tests take place may help to reduce the backlog currently faced by the DVSA, following the pandemic.