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United Kingdom · Theory test

Driving test major faults, minors and how you pass

You pass the practical driving test with no more than 15 driving faults, often called minors, and no serious or dangerous faults. Serious and dangerous faults are the driving test major faults: get one and you fail, however well the rest went.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

The three types of fault

FaultWhat it meansHow many you can have
Driving fault (a minor)Not potentially dangerous, but repeating it could make it a serious faultUp to 15
Serious fault (a major)Potentially dangerousNone
Dangerous fault (a major)Actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or propertyNone

How many major faults can you get on a driving test?

None. One serious or dangerous fault is a fail. Minors work differently: you can have up to 15, but making the same one again and again can turn it into a serious fault.

Show me, tell me answers can cost a minor

Get one or both of the vehicle safety questions wrong and you get one driving fault. If your driving becomes dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the show me question, you fail.

The show me tell me questions →

Made a mistake? Keep going

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your result if it’s not serious. The examiner only stops the test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

After the test

Either way, the examiner tells you what faults you made. If you pass, you get a pass certificate and can drive straight away. The examiner can have your full licence sent to you automatically. If it hasn’t arrived 3 weeks after you applied, contact DVLA.

If you fail, you book another test, pay again and choose a date at least 10 working days away. You can only appeal if you can show 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. The deadline is 6 months in England and Wales, or 21 days in Scotland.

Failed your test? What happens next →

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Everything else, in one place

OverviewUK driving theory testPass markTheory test pass mark: how many can you get wrong?BookingHow to book your theory test and driving testCostHow much is the theory test, and what else will it cost?What to bringWhat do you need to bring to your theory test?Online testCan you take the theory test online?Driving testThe DVSA practical driving testHow to passHow to pass your theory test first timePass rateDriving theory test pass rates: how many people pass?Hazard perceptionThe hazard perception part of the theory testCertificateYour theory test certificate and pass numberStopping distancesStopping distances for the theory testShow me, tell meShow me tell me questions for the driving testChange or cancelChange or cancel your driving test or theory testCancellationsDriving test cancellations: how to get an earlier testTest centresFind your nearest theory test centreNorthern IrelandThe NI theory test and driving testRoad signsAll the road signs for the theory test, by shape and colourAge rulesWhat age can you take your theory test?RetakeFailed your theory test or driving test? What happens nextHighway CodeDriving theory test books: the Highway Code and two morePractice testFree theory test practice: 20 questionsWhere to learnChoosing a theory test app, and what else to study withStudy plannerTheory test revision planner
Sources: GOV.UK and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.