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Guidance Top 10 reasons for failing the driving test in Great BritainUpdated 14 August 2025


2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction


What you must be able to do

You must always:

  • make full and effective use of all the mirrors

  • check the mirrors carefully before signalling, changing direction or changing speed

  • use the ‘mirror - signal - manoeuvre’ routine effectively

Any mistakes you make in this area when changing direction will be counted under the ‘Mirrors - Change direction’ fault on your driving test result.

These are some examples of mistakes that would count towards this fault.


Not using mirrors when exiting a roundabout

You need to take the right-hand exit on a large multi-lane roundabout. When you move from the right-hand lane to the left-hand lane to exit the roundabout, you make no rear or passenger-side observations or mirror checks.


Causing a vehicle to slow when changing lanes on a dual carriageway

When you’re on a dual carriageway, you check your mirrors when changing lanes, but there’s a vehicle approaching in the lane you want to move into. You start to change lanes anyway, causing the approaching vehicle to slow down.


Trying to change lane on a roundabout when a vehicle is directly alongside

When you’re driving on a roundabout, you try to change lanes when there’s a vehicle directly alongside you. The driving examiner has to take control of the steering wheel to stop a collision.


Exiting a roundabout without checking mirrors

When you exit a roundabout, you do not check your mirrors and cut across the path of a closely following vehicle to the left-hand side of the car.


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