Part 3 · Topic 21 of 37
Awareness
The awareness and planning fault categories on the learner's driving test marking sheet, the mock test pass criteria, and how to close a mock with a result and useful feedback.
Key facts
- These are the categories you mark a PUPIL against — your own Part 3 is marked on 17 competencies scored 0-3
- Mock test pass criteria: no more than 15 driving faults, no serious faults and no dangerous faults
- Eco-safe driving is assessed but does not affect the final test result; it is used for feedback
- ETA stands for examiner took action, covering physical or verbal intervention
This topic completes the marking-sheet picture that control and junctions began. As there, these are the categories on your pupil's driving test report — the ones you apply when marking a mock. Your own Part 3 is assessed differently, on 17 competencies scored 0 to 3.
It covers the awareness and planning fault categories, the eco-safe driving assessment, and how to close a mock test with a result and useful feedback.
Awareness and planning
Record a fault when the pupil does not consider vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders, does not anticipate road and traffic conditions in good time, or reacts to other road users at the last moment.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Late reaction to what other road users are doing |
| Serious | Last-minute reaction to other road users compromising safety |
| Dangerous | Actual danger caused by last-minute reactions |
Clearance
The pupil should allow plenty of room when passing stationary vehicles and obstructions, be prepared to slow down or stop, and anticipate doors opening, children running out and vehicles pulling away. Record a fault if the pupil drives too close to stationary vehicles.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Passes too close to a stationary vehicle |
| Serious | Narrowly avoids a collision |
| Dangerous | Strikes or dangerously passes a stationary vehicle |
Following distance
The pupil should maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, remembering that stopping distances increase in wet conditions, leave space in queues and avoid tailgating. Record a fault for driving too close to moving vehicles or stopping too close behind another vehicle.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Not maintaining the full separation distance |
| Serious | Driving too close, leaving little margin for error |
| Dangerous | Actual danger caused by a dangerously close following distance |
Use of speed
Record a fault for driving too fast for the road, traffic or weather conditions, or for exceeding the speed limit.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Driving too fast for road or traffic conditions for a short period |
| Serious | Driving too fast for road conditions or exceeding the speed limit |
| Dangerous | Actual danger caused by excessive speed and an inability to deal safely with approaching traffic |
Progress
Record faults here for appropriate speed and for undue hesitation.
Appropriate speed
The pupil should drive at a safe, suitable speed. Remember that speed limits are not target speeds. Record a fault for not driving at an appropriate speed or for holding up following traffic.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Driving at 20mph in a 30mph area without valid reason |
| Serious | Driving significantly below the speed limit and affecting other road users |
| Dangerous | Driving so slowly that other road users are encouraged to take risks |
Undue hesitation
Record a fault for stopping unnecessarily at junctions or not proceeding when it is safe.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Lack of judgement by not moving off when it is safe |
| Serious | Waiting unnecessarily when it is safe and reasonable to proceed |
| Dangerous | Creating situations that encourage other road users to put themselves at risk |
Response to signs and signals
The pupil should understand and react to traffic signs and road markings, respond to traffic lights, obey police officers and crossing patrols, and react to signals from other road users.
Traffic signs
Record a fault for passing on the wrong side of a keep left sign, ignoring a stop sign, ignoring a no entry sign, driving in restricted bus lanes, or not complying with mandatory signs.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Late reaction to a clearly visible speed limit sign |
| Serious | Attempting to enter a road displaying a clearly visible no entry sign |
| Dangerous | Instructor intervention required to prevent actual danger |
Road markings
Record a fault for crossing solid white centre lines unnecessarily, not conforming to directional arrows, or stopping in a yellow box junction when the exit is not clear.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Straddling lanes with clear directional arrows on the approach to a junction |
| Serious | Entering and stopping in a yellow box junction unnecessarily |
| Dangerous | A situation causing actual danger to other road users |
Traffic lights
Record a fault for waiting at a green filter light when it is safe to proceed, failing to comply with a red light, reacting late to an amber light, remaining at the stop line when it is safe to move, or stopping beyond the stop line in the area reserved for cyclists.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Late reaction to an amber light with no impact on safety |
| Serious | Failing to comply promptly with traffic lights or legal requirements |
| Dangerous | Breaching traffic light requirements and creating actual danger |
Traffic controllers
The pupil should obey police officers, traffic wardens, school crossing patrols, roadwork traffic controllers and other authorised persons.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Late reaction to a stop sign held by a traffic controller |
| Serious | No reaction to a school crossing patrol preparing to enter the road |
| Dangerous | Instructor intervention required to prevent danger to the public |
Other road users
Record a fault for failing to react appropriately to signals from other road users.
| Fault type | Example |
|---|---|
| Driving | Failing to continue safely when another vehicle is clearly waiting to turn |
| Serious | Waiting unnecessarily behind a stationary bus, causing inconvenience |
| Dangerous | Instructor intervention needed to avoid danger |
Examiner took action (ETA)
If the pupil's driving becomes dangerous and the instructor intervenes, record it under ETA. Interventions can be physical or verbal.
Eco: fuel-efficient driving
The pupil should drive in an environmentally friendly manner: planning ahead, using appropriate gears, avoiding harsh braking and excessive revving, considering switching off the engine during lengthy stops, and driving smoothly. Eco-safe driving is assessed but does not affect the final test result; it is mainly used for feedback purposes.
Give feedback at the end of the test
The pass criteria are: no more than 15 driving faults, no serious faults and no dangerous faults. When the drive is over:
- Give feedback as though you are the examiner
- Ask the pupil how they think they performed
- Discuss any repeated driving faults
- Answer their questions
Understanding awareness, planning and the fault assessment criteria helps you prepare learners for success and pass the ADI Part 3 test first time.