Top 10 Mistakes Birmingham Learners Make in Their Driving Test (And How to Avoid Them)

The driving test. Just hearing those words is enough to make your palms sweat.
​If you are learning to drive in Birmingham, you have a unique challenge. Our city is busy. We have complex roundabouts, fast dual carriageways, and tight residential streets.
​It is a tough environment for a learner. But here is the good news. If you can pass here, you can drive anywhere.
​At ABC Driving School, we see hundreds of students pass every year. We also see where things go wrong.
​The truth is, most people don’t fail because they can’t drive. They fail because of silly mistakes caused by nerves or bad habits.
​We want you to get that pass certificate on your first go. So, we have compiled the ultimate list of Birmingham driving test mistakes and exactly how to fix them.
​1. Observation at Junctions
​This is the number one reason people fail across the UK. It happens constantly at busy Birmingham junctions.
​The Mistake:
You pull out of a T-junction or a side road without looking properly. Perhaps you looked, but not enough. Or maybe you didn’t look right, left, and right again.
​The Solution:
Take your time. Approach the junction slowly in second gear. If the view is restricted by parked cars (common in South Yardley or Small Heath), use the “creep and peep” method.
​Lean forward. Look both ways twice. Only go when you are 100% sure it is safe.
​2. Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre (In That Order!)
​We drill this into you from lesson one. Yet, under pressure, the order often falls apart.
​The Mistake:
You signal before checking your mirrors. Or, you start moving the steering wheel before checking your blind spot.
​The Solution:
Treat your mirrors like a radar. Before you change speed or direction, check them.
​If you are changing lanes on the A45 Coventry Road, check the centre mirror, then the side mirror. Then signal. Then manoeuvre. Do not rush the sequence.
​3. Poor Lane Discipline on Roundabouts
​Birmingham is famous for its roundabouts. From massive islands like Spitfire Island to mini-roundabouts in residential areas, they catch learners out.
​The Mistake:
Drifting across lanes. This often happens on spiral roundabouts. You might start in the left lane to go straight on, but accidentally drift into the right lane as you go around.
​The Solution:
Look at the road markings early. Follow the lines on the floor as if they are tram tracks.
​Keep your speed low. If you stay slow, you have time to steer accurately. Don’t let other drivers pressure you into rushing.
​4. Failing to Check Blind Spots
​This is a classic failure point during the “moving off” manoeuvre.
​The Mistake:
You check your mirrors, put the car in gear, and pull away from the kerb. But you forgot to look over your right shoulder.
​The Solution:
The “Six Point Check” is non-negotiable. Look over your left shoulder, left mirror, centre mirror, road ahead, right mirror, and finally, the right blind spot.
​If you pause for 5 seconds to let a car pass, you must restart the check.
​5. Hesitation (Waiting Too Long)
​Safety is key, but holding up traffic is a major fault. This is known as “undue hesitation”.
​The Mistake:
You are waiting to turn right. There is a safe gap, but you don’t take it. Then another safe gap appears, and you still wait. The examiner will mark this down.
​The Solution:
You need to be confident. If you see a gap that is safe, take it.
​This comes with practice. Your instructor will help you judge the speed of oncoming cars so you can make decisive choices.
​6. Response to Traffic Signs (Speed Limits)
​Birmingham has many changing speed limits. We have 20 mph zones near schools and 40 mph limits on ring roads.
​The Mistake:
Missing a speed limit change. Doing 30mph in a 20mph zone is an instant fail. Doing 20mph in a clear 30mph zone can also be a serious fault, as it shows slow progress.
​The Solution:
Scan the roadside constantly. If you turn onto a new road and don’t see a sign, look for lamp posts. If there are street lights and no repeaters, assume it is 30 mph.
​Watch out for the variable speed limits if your test route takes you near the Aston Motorway.
​7. Steering Control
​You don’t need to drive like a Formula 1 driver. You just need to be smooth.
​The Mistake:
Crossing your arms or letting the wheel spin back through your hands uncontrollably. Or worse, hitting the kerb while turning a corner.
​The Solution:
Use the “push-pull” technique. It feels odd at first, but it gives you maximum control.
​When turning left into a tight street, slow down. If you hit the kerb hard, the test is over. Take the corner slowly and steer plenty.
​8. Reverse Manoeuvres (Touching the Line)
​Whether it is parallel parking or driving into a bay, accuracy matters.
​The Mistake:
You are doing a bay park at the test centre. You finish the move, but your tyre is on the white line.
​The Solution:
You are allowed to correct yourself! If you are reversing and think you are going to hit a line or the kerb, pull forward. Correct your angle. Then reverse again.
​The examiner prefers a safe correction over a messy finish. Use your side mirrors to check the lines on the floor.
​9. Positioning for Right Turns
​This is specifically important for junctions with no road markings.
​The Mistake:
You approach a junction to turn right, but you position the car too far to the left. This is called “cutting the corner” or “swan-necking”. It blocks traffic behind you.
​The Solution:
Position your car just to the left of the centre line. Leave enough room for cars to pass you on the left if the road is wide enough.
​Imagine you are drawing a neat line with your car. Don’t cut across the diagonal.
​10. Traffic Lights and Pedestrian Crossings
​It sounds simple, but test pressure makes people do strange things at lights.
​The Mistake:
The “Amber Gambler”. The light turns amber, and instead of stopping safely, you speed up. Or, stopping over the white line at a junction (the Advanced Stop Line for cyclists).
​The Solution:
Approach every green light expecting it to change. Take your foot off the gas slightly as you get close.
​If it goes amber and you can stop safely, stop. Never risk rushing through.
​Best Practice Routes in Birmingham
​Knowing the local area is a massive advantage. While we can’t predict the exact route, we know the common areas.
​Garretts Green Test Centre Tips:
This centre features many roundabouts and dual carriageways. You will likely encounter the busy Meadway or the A45. Practise lane discipline here.
​South Yardley:
Expect tight residential streets with parked cars. Meeting traffic (giving way to oncoming cars) is crucial here. You need patience.
​Kingstanding:
This area is famous for the Kingstanding Circle roundabout. It can be intimidating. Make sure you practise this specific roundabout multiple times with your instructor.
​At ABC Driving School, we take you on these roads during lessons. We want the test route to feel like a familiar drive home, not a journey into the unknown.
​How to Avoid Nerves on Test Day
​Nerves are the invisible enemy. You can be the best driver in Birmingham, but if you panic, mistakes happen.
​Here is how to stay calm:
​Don’t Tell Everyone: Keep your test date a secret. The less pressure from friends and family, the better.
​Eat a Banana: It sounds like an old wives’ tale, but bananas contain potassium, which helps regulate energy and nerves.
​Arrive on Time, Not Early: Arriving 40 minutes early just leaves you sitting in the waiting room, stressing. Arrive 10 minutes before.
​Trust Your Training: If your instructor says you are ready, you are ready. Trust their judgment.
​Why Mock Tests Help
​The best way to fix Birmingham driving test mistakes is to make them before the real day.
​That is why we love mock tests.
​A mock test recreates the real thing. Your instructor will act like an examiner. They won’t chat. They will give formal instructions. They will mark a DL25 test sheet.
​It feels uncomfortable. It feels pressured. And that is exactly why it works.
​When you do the real test, it won’t be a shock to the system. You will have been there before.
​Expert Tips from ABC Driving School
​Passing your driving test is about safety, not perfection.
​The examiner isn’t looking for a racecar driver. They are looking for someone safe enough to drive on their own.
​If you make a small mistake, take a deep breath. Forget about it. Keep driving. A stalled engine is usually just a minor fault, provided you restart safely.
​Are you worried about your upcoming test? Do you feel you need to polish your skills on the local test routes?
​We are here to help. Our instructors are experts at passing the driving test in Birmingham. We will help you iron out these common mistakes so you can drive with confidence.
​Let’s get you that pass certificate.
​Book a Mock Test or Lesson Today
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Top 10 Driving Test Mistakes Birmingham Learners Make & How to Avoid Them
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Worried about your test? We reveal the top 10 Birmingham driving test mistakes learners make. From roundabouts to observation, get our DVSA-approved tips here.