This page contains a detailed explanation of the DL25 driving test report form. The DL25 is used by the examiner to mark your driving faults whilst assessing your driving ability.
Each section on this page provides an explanation of what the driving examiner will be looking for. Learning what the examiner will be looking for throughout your practical driving test, will greatly help your chances of passing.
NOTE: Although there's many sections on the DL25 driving test report and it can look a bit scary, the examiner has a very simple way of making a decision on fault marking. See: DL25 Fault Assessment Guide.
At the start of the driving test whilst in the waiting room, you'll be asked to read and sign the insurance & residency declaration at the top of the DL25 driving test report.
The 185-day residency requirement applies to all candidates who apply for a GB provisional licence before attending to take a test. If you refuse to sign, the test will not be conducted!
At the start of the driving test whilst walking to the car, the examiner will ask you to read a vehicle registration number. If you do not meet the eyesight standard, your practical driving test will not go ahead.
If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses in order to read the vehicle registration number, you must wear them whenever you drive or ride.
You must be able to read a clean old style number plate from a minimum distance of 20.5 metres (approximately 67 feet or 5 car lengths). If reading a new style number plate (these letters are narrower) you must be able to read it from a minimum distance of 20 metres (approximately 66 feet).
Highway Code: If you take a test for a tractor or specialist vehicle, at the end of the test you will be asked questions on the Highway Code and to identify some road signs.
If you take an LGV or PCV test, you will be asked some safety questions. You will be asked about some of the following: the location and operation of the safety components on your vehicle such as fire extinguishers, fuel cut-off switch and emergency exits.
You may be asked to show that you can stop your vehicle in good time and under full control, as if in an emergency situation.
Remember, when driving in wet or icy weather conditions, it will take you longer to stop safely.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for emergency/controlled stop are:
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If you would like to learn more about the emergency/controlled stop, you should:
Depending on the test you take, you may be asked to complete one or more slow-speed manoeuvering exercises. You need to show that you are able to keep control of your vehicle. This needs to be done whilst taking effective observations and acting correctly on what you see.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for reversing and turn in road exercises are:
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If you would like to learn more about parking and turning in the road, you should:
It is important that the vehicle is in good working order and that you can operate the vehicle controls. The driving test examiner will ask you some 'show me, tell me' safety questions. You need to show a basic knowledge of the checks that you should make on a regular basis. Depending on the test you take, you may need to safely demonstrate that you can operate your vehicle’s secondary controls whilst on the move.
During the driving test, the examiner will ask two show and tell questions; one show me question and one tell me question.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for the show me, tell me questions are:
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If you would like to learn more about the show me, tell me questions, you should:
You will be tested on your ability to select a safe place to carry out the manoeuvre, whilst taking effective observation and acting correctly on what you see. You need to show the examiner that you can safely turn the vehicle around to face in the opposite direction. How you do this is left to you, but you must not use driveways or mount the pavement.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for reversing and turn in road exercises are:
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If you would like to learn more about forward parking and turning the car around, you should:
You need to show your ability to use wheelchair ramps competently. You need to put the imaginary wheelchair user and his or her wheelchair into your vehicle. Then ensure the wheelchair and its user were securely installed ready for a journey. You will then be asked to reverse this whole process.
You need to show that you can uncouple and re-couple your trailer, using the correct procedure for your vehicle and trailer types.
You will be asked to uncouple the combination then drive forward and reverse alongside the trailer. To re-couple, you should align and reconnected the towing vehicle and trailer. This should be done accurately.
You should then check that they are secured and safe to go out on the road.
These checks are simple, but important. Before you start the engine and move away, you need to make sure that you have sufficient fuel for your journey, all doors are closed properly, your seat, steering and mirrors are correctly adjusted, the handbrake is applied and the gear stick is in neutral.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for precautions are:
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If you would like to learn more about precautions before setting off, you should:
Throughout the test you need to show that you can use all the controls smoothly and at the correct time. This means less wear and tear on your vehicle and a smoother ride for your passengers.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for controls are:
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If you would like to learn more about vehicle controls, you should:
You need to show that you can move away on the level, on a slope and at an angle safely, under full control, taking effective observation. Move off only when it is safe to do so.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for moving off are:
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If you would like to learn more about moving off, you should:
You should use the mirrors safely and effectively acting correctly upon what you see. Where mirrors are not enough, for example to cover ‘blind spots’, you must take effective rear observation. You must always check carefully before signalling, changing direction or changing speed.
You need to demonstrate that you can use the Mirror – Signal – Manoeuvre (MSM) routine effectively.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for use of mirrors are:
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If you would like to learn more about use of mirrors, you should:
You should only use the signals shown in the Highway Code. On the practical driving test, you should signal clearly to let others know what you intend to do. This is particularly important if it would help other road users or pedestrians.
You should always signal in good time and ensure that the signal has been switched off after the manoeuvre has been completed. You should not beckon to pedestrians to cross the road.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for signalling to other road users are:
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If you would like to learn more about signalling to other road users, you should:
You should give parked vehicles and other obstructions enough space to pass safely. You need to watch out for changing situations such as; pedestrians walking out from between parked cars, doors opening and vehicles trying to move off.
You should be prepared to slow down or stop if needed.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for clearance - obstructions are:
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If you would like to learn more about clearance - obstructions, you should:
You need to show that you can react correctly to all traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
You should obey signals given by police officers, traffic wardens, Highways Agency officers and school crossing patrols.
You should watch out for signals given by other road users and carry on only when you are happy it is safe.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for response to signs / signals are:
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If you would like to learn more about response to signs / signals, you should:
You should make safe and reasonable progress along the road.
You need to keep in mind the road, traffic and weather conditions, road signs and speed limits. You need to show confidence based on sound judgement.
Remember, at all times you should be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for use of speed are:
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If you would like to learn more about use of speed, you should:
You should always keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front. You should be able to stop safely, well within the distance you can see to be clear.
You should leave extra distance in wet or slippery conditions.
Leave enough space when you are stopped in traffic queues.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for following distance are:
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If you would like to learn more about following distance, you should:
On the practical driving test, you need to show that you can drive at a realistic speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions.
You need to approach all hazards at a safe, controlled speed, without being over cautious or slowing or stopping other road users. You should always be ready to move away from junctions as soon as it is safe and correct to do so.
Driving too slowly can frustrate other drivers which creates danger for yourself and others.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for progress are:
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If you would like to learn more about progress, you should:
The driving test examiner will look for the correct use of the Mirror – Signal – Manoeuvre (MSM) procedure.
The driving test examiner will also be looking for the correct positioning and approach speed at junctions and roundabouts. This is because these skills are essential for dealing with these hazards safely. Turning right across busy roads/dual carriageways is particularly dangerous.
To drive safely and pass your practical driving test, you must be confident that you can judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic safely. You also need to look out for other road users emerging and turning at junctions and be ready to alter your course or stop.
Be extra watchful in poor light or bad weather conditions for the more vulnerable road user, such as cyclists and motorcyclists.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for junctions are:
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If you would like to learn more about junctions, you should:
The driving test examiner will assess your judgment skills throughout the test.
You will need to show sound judgment when overtaking, meeting or crossing the path of other road users. You should only do this when it was safe and legal.
You should make your intentions clear and be sure that you understood the intentions of other road users.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for judgement are:
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If you would like to learn more about judgement, you should:
You should position your car in a safe position; normally this would be keeping well to the left of the road.
You need to keep clear of parked vehicles and be positioned correctly for the direction that you intend to take. You needed to look for and be guided by road signs and markings.
Other road users may judge your intentions by where you are positioned, so be aware of where you are at all times.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for positioning are:
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If you would like to learn more about positioning, you should:
You should be able to identify the different types of pedestrian crossing and take the correct action.
You need to monitor your speed and time your approach to crossings so that you can stop safely if you need to do so.
You should pay particular attention where crossings are partly hidden by queuing or parked vehicles. You should show consideration for elderly or infirm pedestrians who are trying to cross the road.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for pedestrian crossings are:
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If you would like to learn more about pedestrian crossings, you should:
You should choose a safe, legal and convenient place to stop, close to the edge of the road, where you will not block the road and create a hazard.
You should know how and where to stop without causing inconvenience or danger to other road users.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for position / normal stops are:
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If you would like to learn more about position / normal stops, you should:
You must be aware of other road users at all times. The driving test examiner is looking to see that you plan ahead to judge what other road users are going to do. This will allow you to predict how their actions will affect you and react in good time.
You need to anticipate road and traffic conditions, and act in good time, rather than reacting to them at the last moment.
You should take particular care to consider the actions of the more vulnerable groups of road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, other motorcyclists and horse riders.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common driving faults for awareness / planning are:
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If you would like to learn more about awareness / planning, you should:
You need to show that you can operate all of your vehicle’s controls safely and effectively.
The driving test examiner is looking to see that whilst on the move you keep proper control of your vehicle whilst using secondary controls. These include demisters, heating controls, indicators and windscreen wipers.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for use of ancillary controls are:
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If you would like to learn more about using ancillary controls, you should:
This section shows the result of your practical driving test, the total number of minor driving faults committed, and the driving test route number.
You need to get 15 or less minor driving faults marked in the 'Total Faults' box in order to pass your driving test. An accumulation of minor driving faults in any one section can result in a serious (S) driving fault being marked. (i.e. minor driving faults need to be spread out with no obvious areas of weakness).
One serious (S) or dangerous (D) driving fault marked in any section on the DL25 driving test report, will result in 'Fail' being marked in this section.
If the driving test is started, but not conducted for any reason, the examiner will mark 'None' on this section as it's unmarkable because no driving has been assessed.
You should drive in an ‘eco-friendly manner’, considering your impact on the environment. Plan well ahead and choose appropriate gears, avoid heavy braking and over-revving of the engine, particularly when stopped or moving off. If you have to stop for a long period such as at roadworks or railway crossings, consider stopping the engine to reduce pollution and save fuel.
The examiner will assess this on your test; however this assessment will not affect the overall result of the test. If there are areas that need improvement you will receive appropriate feedback at the end of the test.
Examples of driving faults
Some of the most common faults for eco-safe driving are:
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If you would like to learn more about eco-safe driving, you should:
At the end of the practical driving test, if you've passed. You must sign to declare that there hasn't been any change to your health status since you last applied for a driving licence. It is a criminal offence for you (or anyone else) to make a false statement in order for you to obtain a driving licence, and can lead to prosecution.
Along with a copy of the DL25 driving test report, you'll be given a DVSA 10 driving test pass certificate
DVLA: 0300 790 6801
Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm
Saturday, 8am to 2pm
DVSA: 0300 200 1122
Monday to Friday, 8am to midday