12. Finding and recording faults on the digital test report
Guidance for driving examiners on recording faults under the correct heading on the digital test report.
The information contained within this document is intended to be used as a guide to the location of fault markings on the Digital Test Report and to ensure uniformity. It is not intended as a guide to the assessment of faults. Driving Examiners of all grades were consulted and helped to prepare this document. It is not definitive and its content may be subject to alterations to reflect changing regulations and circumstances.
Having identified and assessed the fault it is important that the fault is recorded under the correct heading on the Digital Test Report. There are a number of faults that can occur during a driving test that initially may not appear appropriate to the relevant headings. To help with uniformity a ‘Guide to locating and recording of faults’ is provided.
The cause of the fault will normally determine the correct heading on the digital test report to mark it under.
Example of (Cause / Effect) - Stopping
CAUSE = (Clutch) Candidate attempts to pull up on the left at a safe and convenient place. The correct pressure is applied to the footbrake at the appropriate time. However, just before the vehicle stops, the clutch pedal was not pushed down to disengage the engine from the driving wheels causing the car to stall.
EFFECT = (Driving Fault) Because the clutch pedal was not pushed down to disengage the engine from the driving wheels the car stalled. As such, the control of the vehicle was compromised. Under the circumstances at the time, the correct assessment of this deviation from the defined outcome is a ‘driving fault’. Having identified the fault and assessed that it is worthy of recording, this should be recorded on the Digital Test Report.
If the effect is greater than the cause, then the effect is marked. For example, if a candidate approached a junction too fast and emerged - although the speed approaching the junction caused the fault, only the effect would be marked - junctions observation.
Eyesight
Read registration incorrectly for the fourth time using the tape.
Reverse right (Pull up on the right) or reverse left
(for all categories other than category B car tests)
For Category B car tests
(Begins when the candidate starts the MSM / PSL routine after being given the instructions)
Control
- poor co-ordination of controls
- scrubbing/brushing the kerb
- mounting the pavement
- stalling
- reversing out into the road
Observations
- no blind spot checks
- 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
- no or late indication of intentions
- waiting unnecessarily for other road users
Reverse park
Recorded when reverse gear is selected.
Control
- poor co-ordination of controls
- scrubbing/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
Observation
- no blind spot checks
- relying too much or entirely on the mirrors
- ineffective observation
- looking but not reacting to other vehicles or pedestrians
- waiting too long for other users in the car park
Car park
- poor co-ordination of controls
- ending up straddling two bays
- unnecessary shunting forwards and backwards
- turning the steering wheel the wrong way
- stalling
Forward park
Car tests - (Recorded when instructions given to select a bay)
Control
- poor co-ordination of controls
- ending up straddling two bays
- unnecessary shunting forwards and backwards
- turning the steering wheel the wrong way
- stalling
Observation
- no blind spot checks
- relying too much or entirely on the mirrors
- ineffective observation
- looking but not reacting to other vehicles or pedestrians
- waiting too long for other users in the car park
Reverse (vocational / tractor and specialist vehicle tests) / with trailer
Recorded when reverse gear is selected.
Control
- poor co-ordination of controls
- stalling
- mounting the pavement or kerb
- turning the steering wheel the wrong way
- going wide after the corner
- finishing at an acute angle
- scrubbing-brushing-touching the kerb
- Ttking an excessive amount of time to complete the manoeuvre
Observation
- no blind spot checks
- no observation at or before the point of turn
- excessive use of the door mirrors
- not looking directly behind
- not reacting to passing or approaching vehicles
- not reacting to pedestrians
- waiting unnecessarily for other roads users
Uncouple/recouple (vocational +E tests only)
Highway code / safety
- incorrect answers to questions (Category F/G/H) / (Category D, D+E, D1)
Vehicle checks (‘Show me / Tell me’)
- 1 or 2 questions incorrect = 1 driving fault
- loss of control when demonstrating the on-road ‘show me’ question
Controlled stop
- late or slow reaction to the signal
- applying the handbrake before stopping
- skidding out of control
- missing the footbrake pedal
- letting go of the steering wheel
Control
Accelerator
- uncontrolled use
- excessive revs
Clutch
- not depressing the clutch pedal before stopping
- uncontrolled engagement after changing gear
Gears
- clutch coasting
- looking down when changing gear resulting loss of steering control
- selecting the wrong gear for the road and traffic conditions
Footbrake
- uncontrolled use resulting in pulling up too early or too late
- late or harsh braking
- missing the brake pedal completely
Handbrake
- applying whilst in motion
- not applying where necessary resulting in rolling forwards or backwards
- allowing the vehicle to ‘creep’ with an automatic
- unable to release fully
Steering
- unable to maintain a steady course in normal driving
- ‘swan neck’ turns when turning right
- at a normal stop, mounting and dismounting the kerb
- not following the contour of the kerb at a bell mouth junction
Precautions
- leaving in gear with the clutch up and starting the engine
Ancillary controls
- failure to use ancillary controls when necessary
- unable to operate controls
- not able to locate or operate essential ancillary controls
- loss of control whilst operating ancillary controls
Move off safety
- no blind spot checks / incorrectly timed checks moving away unsafely
- blind spot check only over the left shoulder for normal stops and angle starts
- following pull up on the right exercise – ineffective or no observations before moving off
- pulling away with the left signal on
Control
- stalling
- repeated stalling
- moving off with the handbrake applied
- rolling backwards when attempting to move off
- not engaging a gear and attempting to move off
- attempting to pull away in too high a gear
Use of mirrors (well before Signalling/Changing direction/Stopping)
- 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 speed with no mirror checks
- late use of mirrors
Signals
Where necessary
- omitting to re-apply when it self-cancels
- omitting to give a signal where necessary
Correctly
- signalling unnecessarily
- wrong arm signals
- omitting to cancel after use
- incorrect (i.e. Left for right, right for left)
- flashing the headlights at another driver to proceed or turn
- having the hazard lights on whilst on the move
- unnecessary use of the horn
- beckoning pedestrians
Properly timed
- 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
- misleading signal before intended left and right turn
Junctions
Approach speed
- approaching too fast
- approaching too slow
Observation
- not taking effective observation before emerging
- looking both ways but still emerging to affect other road users
Turning right
- positioning too far to the left
- positioning too far to the right
- on major to minor stopping short of the turning point
- incorrect position before turning right
Turning left
- positioning too far to the right or too close to the kerb
- swinging out prior to reaching the corner
- positioning in an unmarked inappropriate lane to turn left
Cutting corners
- cutting corners from major to minor roads
Judgement
Overtaking
- cutting in after overtaking
- attempting to overtake in a hazardous place
- unsafe overtaking
Meeting traffic
- failure to show proper judgement when meeting approaching traffic
Crossing traffic
- turning right across the path of oncoming road users
Positioning
Normal driving
- too close to the kerb
- too far from the kerb
- not using bus or cycle lanes when the times allow its use
- on dual carriageways driving in the right-hand lane
- cutting across the normal road position when going ahead at roundabouts
Lane discipline
- straddling marked lanes when going ahead
- straddling a bus lane
Pedestrian crossings
- 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 for normal stops
- normal stop not made in a safe position
- both nearside wheels on the kerb/pavement
- over a driveway
- at a bus stop
- too far from the kerb
- too near to a junction
- opposite other parked vehicles
Awareness and planning
- failure to judge what other road users are going to do and react accordingly
- not giving way to pedestrians clearly waiting to cross the road you are turning in or out of
Clearance to obstructions
- driving too close to stationary vehicles and obstructions
Following distance
- getting too close to moving vehicles
- pulling up too close to vehicle ahead
Use of speed
- driving too fast for prevailing road, traffic, and weather conditions
- breaking the speed limit
Progress
Appropriate speed
- not driving at an appropriate speed for the road and traffic conditions
- holding up following traffic
Avoiding undue hesitation
- stopping unnecessarily at junctions (except traffic light controlled junctions) and other hazards
- not proceeding when it is safe to do so at junctions
Response to signs and signals
Traffic signs
- going to the wrong side of a keep left sign
- non-compliance with a stop sign
- non-compliance 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
- unnecessarily crossing the solid white centre lines
- not conforming to directional arrows
- stopping in a yellow box junction when the exit is not clear
Traffic lights
- waiting at a green filter light when safe to proceed
- waiting to turn right in a junction, with red repeater light on opposite side and safe to proceed
- not conforming to a red light
- 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 controller
- police
- traffic warden
- school crossing patrol
- other persons directing traffic
Other road users
- not reacting appropriately to the signals given by other road users