Legal requirement or best practice?
There are hundreds of driving test myths circulating among pupils and parents. To pass your test and drive safely, it is vital to know the difference between statutory UK law and advisory best practice.
Common driving myths debunked
Separating legal test standards from unhelpful hearsay so you can focus on safe, calm driving.
Myth debunked: DVSA examiners do not have pass quotas. Every pupil who meets the required standard of safe driving passes, regardless of how many others passed that day.
Myth debunked: Mirrors should be checked before signalling, changing speed, or altering road position, not on an arbitrary timer that distracts you from the road ahead.
Myth debunked: You signal when it benefits other road users. If travelling straight ahead and no one is waiting, an unnecessary signal can cause confusion.
Myth debunked: Unjustified slow driving on clear roads can fail a test for causing hesitation and encouraging dangerous overtakes. Match your speed to conditions.
Myth debunked: The pull-push method is recommended, but crossing hands is permitted on test provided the car remains under smooth and full control.
Myth debunked: If you are slightly off-angle during a parallel or bay park, pulling forward once to correct yourself calmly is fully acceptable.
Myth debunked: Stalling is a minor fault unless it occurs in a dangerous location or you fail to secure the vehicle with the handbrake before restarting.
Myth debunked: You are allowed up to 15 minor driving faults on your test. Only a serious or dangerous fault, or repeated identical errors, results in failure.
Stuck on a term or acronym?
Look up DSSSM, MSPSL, clutch bite and more in plain English in the Jargon Buster.