The most common reasons ACT learners fail their driving tests
Last updated 9 Jan 2026
For many aspiring drivers in the ACT, the road to a full licence can be full of hurdles. Even with lessons and practice, the practical test throws up challenges that catch learners off guard, from tricky traffic situations to pre-drive checks they might overlook.
At EzLicence, we investigated these obstacles through FOI data. Our analysis highlights the most common reasons learners fail their tests—offering a clear picture of where extra preparation could make a real difference.
ACT learner driving test pass rates by attempt
|
Test Attempt |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60.8% | 59.1% | 52.8% | 44.7% | 47.7% |
| 2 | 71.4% | 60.8% | 51.9% | 49.3% | 58.8% |
| 3 | 70.0% | 56.6% | 65.0% | 51.4% | 50.0% |
| 4+ | 37.5% | 73.3% | 78.1% | 61.7% | 44.0% |
Looking at how ACT learners perform over multiple attempts, the data shows a noticeable shift in when drivers pass their test. Pass rates on the first attempt have dropped over time, falling from 60.8% in 2021 to 47.7% in 2025. This suggests that new learners are finding the test more challenging than in previous years.
The picture changes for second attempts, which are generally higher than first attempts, particularly in 2021 and 2025, showing that extra practice can make a real difference for ACT learners.
For third attempts, pass rates remain variable but show that persistence often pays off, with around half of learners passing on their third try in 2025. For those requiring four or more attempts, results are more unpredictable, ranging from 44.0% to 78.1% across the years, due to a relatively small sample size, which can cause some volatility in pass rates.
Overall, the data shows that while most ACT learners pass within the first few tries, repeated attempts come with their own challenges, and extra practice, preparation, and persistence remain key to success.
Most common mistakes ACT learner drivers make on practical tests
|
Error Category |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Average % of all errors 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examiner Taking Control | 20.7% | 18.4% | 18.5% | 16.4% | 16.7% | 17.9% |
| Anticipation / Judgement | 17.0% | 21.1% | 20.8% | 11.5% | 13.3% | 16.7% |
| Right of Way | 12.0% | 14.0% | 13.9% | 13.1% | 14.8% | 13.6% |
| Speed | 8.1% | 10.0% | 10.2% | 13.2% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| Other (Reason Included) | 10.6% | 7.9% | 6.7% | 14.1% | 12.2% | 10.2% |
| Technical Control | 9.3% | 9.4% | 9.9% | 8.6% | 8.3% | 9.1% |
| Head Checks | 6.1% | 6.5% | 6.1% | 10.0% | 8.3% | 7.6% |
| Collision | 8.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 5.5% | 6.0% | 5.8% |
| Stop Sign | 3.8% | 3.4% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.9% | 3.9% |
| Mirror Use | 4.1% | 3.6% | 3.5% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.5% |
To understand why some learners struggle more than others, it’s helpful to look at the most common mistakes made during practical tests. These reveal where learners are losing points and what areas require the most focus.
For ACT learners who failed, one of the leading errors was examiner intervention, though this has declined from 20.7% in 2021 to 16.7% in 2025. Examiners typically step in only to prevent danger, regain control of the vehicle, or respond to a hazard the learner hasn’t addressed. Its declining rate shows that while learners continue to make mistakes, fewer of them pose immediate safety risks.
Another common error was anticipation or judgement, reflecting the learner’s ability to assess traffic situations and respond safely, accounting for 16.7% of all errors from 2021 to 2025. This highlights that poor judgement remains a key and challenging reason for failure.
Rounding out the top three are speeding errors (13.6%), which have increased over the last five years from around 8% in 2021 to 12% in 2025. Maintaining an appropriate speed, especially in school zones or roadwork areas, clearly remains a major challenge for ACT learners.
ACT learner driving test errors by attempt (2024–2025)
|
Error Type |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 or more |
Weighted Average Attempt Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Light | 73.5% | 12.2% | 2.0% | 10.2% | 2.0% | 1.55 |
| Mirror Use | 72.8% | 17.7% | 3.2% | 4.2% | 2.1% | 1.45 |
| Collision | 79.4% | 13.6% | 3.6% | 2.1% | 1.3% | 1.32 |
| Head Checks | 80.8% | 13.3% | 4.1% | 1.3% | 0.5% | 1.28 |
| Other | 81.1% | 12.5% | 5.0% | 1.1% | 0.2% | 1.27 |
| Examiner Taking Control | 81.5% | 12.8% | 4.6% | 0.8% | 0.3% | 1.26 |
| Right of Way | 81.2% | 14.0% | 4.0% | 0.5% | 0.2% | 1.24 |
| Anticipation / Judgement | 82.1% | 13.1% | 3.6% | 0.7% | 0.5% | 1.24 |
| Stop Sign | 81.4% | 12.9% | 5.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.24 |
| Speed | 80.8% | 15.5% | 3.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.23 |
| Technical Control | 84.4% | 12.3% | 3.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.19 |
Next, looking at ACT learner driving test errors by attempt gives us a clearer picture of which mistakes are most common and how quickly learners tend to improve after their first try.
Across all test attempts, errors involving red lights, mirror use and collisions ranked as the most common issues. These categories also had the highest weighted average attempt index, meaning they were more likely to appear among repeat test-takers rather than first-timers. This suggests these higher-risk behaviours take longer to correct, even though the frequency of these errors still drops noticeably after the first attempt.
Errors involving technical control, meaning mistakes in handling the vehicle’s basic functions such as steering, braking, and clutch use, accounted for 84.4% of errors on the first attempt, the highest rate. By the second attempt, the rate of error drops by over 70%, suggesting that ACT learners either quickly improve their skills or do not reattempt the test for the same reason. By the fourth attempt, this error no longer occurs.
In the same manner, decision-making errors like anticipation/judgement and right of way also have a relatively low attempt index. While these are common errors on the first try, ACT learners correct them early and are generally successful in their following attempts.
Ross Rivalland from EzLicence shared tips to help learners pass their test on the first attempt:
- Anticipate other road users’ behaviour: Don’t just react-learn to predict what other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians might do. This helps you avoid critical errors and shows examiners you have good judgement.
- Use a systematic mirror routine: Many learners fail because they don’t look consistently. Try a fixed pattern: check mirrors before changing speed, lanes, or direction, and always do quick glances at your blind spots.
- Practice smooth, progressive control: Jerky steering, braking, or clutch work draws attention. Slow, deliberate movements show confidence and control-even under pressure.
- Simulate test conditions in practice: Practise under realistic test conditions, like timed routes or with a ‘mock examiner’. Learning the test routes can help, but don’t rely on memorising them; unexpected situations can still appear. Driving instructors can recreate exam scenarios and provide objective feedback in lessons, helping you stay calm and confident on the day.
- Know common test ‘traps’: Simple mistakes like stopping too far from a line, rolling slightly on a hill start, or misjudging lane positioning are easy to miss. Being aware of these subtle pitfalls can prevent critical errors and improve your chances of passing.
About the data
To uncover the hidden hurdles between a learner permit and a provisional licence, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of practical driving test outcomes across Australia. Our study triangulated data from distinct sources to provide a holistic view of learner performance:
- Official Test Data (FOI): Quantitative analysis of pass rates and specific fault recording.
- Public test data
Official Test Outcomes were derived from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to the transport governing body in every Australian state and territory. This data allowed us to dissect the "anatomy of a fail," categorising the specific driving errors—both critical (immediate fail) and non-critical (accumulated faults)-that prevent learners from progressing.
About the author
The EzLicence online platform brings transparency, choice and efficiency to booking and managing driving instructors and driving lessons in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.