A driving instructor has disclosed three critical errors that will result in an immediate failure during a driving test. According to David Thomas, an independent instructor based in Stourbridge, West Midlands, these mistakes are surefire ways to ensure you do not pass.
Three Instant Fails
In a TikTok video, Thomas explained: "Do one of these three things on your driving test and you will fail. So try and avoid them."
1. Driving Too Slowly
"Number one: driving way too slow around the streets, holding people up, being very hesitant at junctions and roundabouts, taking your time way too much. Because, you think you're being safe and the examiner is going to be happy with you, but they're not, because they don't wanna get stuck behind you tomorrow." He added that going too slow can be just as dangerous as speeding. When asked what qualifies as "too slow," Thomas replied that 27 or 28 mph in a 30 mph zone is acceptable.
2. Ignoring Road Signs and Markings
"Number two: not paying full attention to road signs and road markings. They're all there for you, you know, all this paint that's on the road, it's there to help you to know where to go, where to be, where not to be. And the road signs, you know, the metal things on posts, they are there to help you. And if you don't respond properly to these signs when they're telling you to slow down, or they're warning you that you're approaching a tight bend, then you can fail your driving test." He advised drivers to be "nosy" and stay aware.
3. Passing Too Close at Speed
"And number three: passing things too closely when you're going too fast. I said a phrase today that I made up, and that is 'less room, less vroom'. You gotta go slow if you're going through things and it's really tight, really narrow. Don't rush, please." He referenced another TikTok user who said: "If you're driving down the road and you see a messy situation ahead, don't drive into it, because you're going to be a part of the mess."
Thomas concluded: "I hope all this helps, because I want you to stop asking for lifts. Stop getting the bus in 2026, come on."
