Guidance reviewed: 23 October 2026
Your result is useful feedback for your next stage of learning. Read it alongside the examiner’s explanation rather than treating the total as the whole story. This guide covers car tests in Great Britain.
What the fault categories mean
A driving fault is an error without potential danger, although repetition may make it serious. A serious fault creates potential danger; a dangerous fault involves actual danger. Passing requires no serious or dangerous faults and no more than 15 driving faults.
Official pass requirements and next steps
Use the feedback constructively
The result email identifies the recorded faults. If it says the examiner took action, that means they intervened verbally or took control to prevent an incident. Discuss the feedback with your instructor and use DVSA’s explanations of assessment areas to plan targeted practice.
DVSA’s guide to understanding your result
After the test
If unsuccessful, another booking and fee are needed, with a date at least 10 working days away. Allow enough preparation time instead of choosing a date solely because it is available. After passing, ensure your insurance covers unsupervised driving before setting off.
Turn the report into a lesson plan
Write down any situation you remember while it is fresh. Ask your instructor what you should practise and how you will recognise improvement. A number on its own does not explain the circumstances: focus on making safe decisions consistently rather than trying to predict a score.