View Guides

Advice to help you make sense of insurance

Welcome to the Zego Blog 

Latest News

Car insurance powered by Sense telematics, for social use, such as visiting friends, or commuting to your place of work.

Telematics Insurance (Sense)

Also known as provisional driver insurance – for people learning to drive.

Learner Driver Car Insurance

Personal Car

Flexible cover for private hire taxi drivers working with any provider.

Private Hire Insurance

All-in-one private hire insurance designed for Uber drivers.

Uber Insurance

Taxi

Reliable cover for personal, courier and business use.

Van Insurance

Flexible insurance for tradespeople carrying their own goods.

Van Insurance for Business Use

Courier van insurance for drivers delivering third party goods.

Van insurance for Courier Use

Van insurance for personal trips and everyday driving.

Van Insurance for Personal Use

Flexible car insurance for food delivery and courier work.

Car Delivery Insurance

Scooter and motorbike insurance for delivery work and personal riding.

Scooter Delivery Insurance

Flexible delivery insurance for Deliveroo drivers and riders.

Deliveroo Insurance

Flexible delivery insurance for Just Eat drivers and riders.

Just Eat Delivery Insurance

Flexible delivery insurance for Uber Eats drivers and riders.

Uber Eats Delivery Insurance

Flexible delivery insurance designed for Amazon Flex UK delivery partners.

Insurance For Amazon Flex 

Delivery

Blog

Got questions about your cover? You’ll find all the answers here

Help

Claims

Refer a friend and you’ll both get up to £50 to spend

Refer a Friend

Report a fraud

More

UK Header

The best EV cars for new drivers in 2026 are compact, affordable, easy to park, cheap to run and calm to drive. For most first-time drivers, the strongest choices are the Renault 5 E-Tech, Citroën ë-C3, Hyundai Inster, Dacia Spring, BYD Dolphin Surf, Fiat 500e, Nissan Micra Electric, Vauxhall Corsa Electric and MG4 EV.

Buying your first car is a big step. Buying your first electric car can feel even bigger, because you are not just thinking about price and insurance. You also have to think about charging, range, battery size, finance, real-world running costs and whether the car will still feel practical six months after passing your test.

For new drivers, the best electric car is not always the one with the longest range or the biggest touchscreen. It is usually the car that feels easy to judge on the road, simple to park, affordable to insure and realistic to run day to day. A first EV should make driving feel less stressful, not give you one more thing to worry about.

In 2026, small electric cars are finally becoming more appealing. There are more budget-friendly models, more compact hatchbacks and more cars aimed at normal everyday drivers rather than early adopters. That is good news for learners, young drivers, students, new commuters and anyone buying their first car after passing their test.

The cars below have been chosen because they make sense for new drivers in the UK. They are not all the cheapest cars outright, but they each offer a strong mix of value, usability, safety, range and first-car friendliness.

The Renault 5 E-Tech is the best overall electric car for new drivers in 2026 because it manages to feel fun, stylish and sensible at the same time. That is a difficult balance to get right. Plenty of first cars are cheap but dull. Others look great but cost too much to insure or feel too powerful for a newly qualified driver. The Renault 5 sits nicely in the middle.

It is compact enough for town driving, narrow streets and busy supermarket car parks, but it does not feel like a tiny city car. That matters if the driver is going to use it for commuting, visiting friends, weekend trips or the occasional motorway journey. It feels like a proper small hatchback rather than a car bought purely because it was the cheapest option.

The design is a big part of the appeal. The Renault 5 has a retro-inspired look, but it does not feel old-fashioned. For a new driver, this helps because it feels like a car you would actually want to own, not just a sensible compromise. It has more personality than many small EVs, and that can make a first car feel a bit more special.

The Renault 5 is available with different battery and power options, so the right version depends on budget and insurance. New drivers should be careful here. The more powerful version may be tempting, but the lower-powered model could make more sense if the goal is to keep costs manageable. Insurance groups, finance payments and deposit size should all be checked before choosing a trim.

On the road, the Renault 5 should suit nervous or inexperienced drivers well. It is small enough to judge easily, the controls are modern, and the electric power delivery makes town driving smooth. There is no clutch, no gear changing and no engine noise to manage. For many new drivers, that alone makes an EV feel easier than an older petrol manual.

The range is also strong enough for most first-car use. A new driver doing school, college, work, gym trips, shopping and social journeys will rarely need a huge battery. What matters more is whether the car can comfortably handle a normal week without feeling like it constantly needs charging. The Renault 5 does that better than most small EVs.

The main drawback is that demand is likely to be strong. It is a desirable car, and that can affect waiting times, finance offers and used values. It may also not be the cheapest to insure compared with more basic EVs. Still, as an overall package, it is one of the most complete first electric cars available.

Best for: new drivers who want a stylish, modern EV that feels like a proper car rather than a budget compromise.

The Citroën ë-C3 is one of the best-value electric cars for new drivers. It focuses on comfort, affordability and everyday ease rather than sporty performance.

It has a relaxed driving feel, a comfortable ride and a simple cabin, which makes it a good choice for nervous or inexperienced drivers. It is also priced lower than many small EVs, making it easier to justify as a first car.

The ë-C3 is best for local driving, commuting and regular short trips. If you can charge at home, it could be a very low-cost car to run.

Best for: new drivers who want a comfortable, affordable EV.

The Spring is the cheapest new EV on UK forecourts. It's a tiny five-door city car designed for short journeys, school runs and town driving rather than long motorway stints. Real-world range sits comfortably above 100 miles, which is enough for most weekly use if you can charge at home or work.

Power output is low, which is the point. A new driver doesn't need 200 horsepower under their right foot, and insurers price the Spring accordingly. The cabin is plain, the boot is modest, but everything works and nothing demands much of you. As a stress-free introduction to electric driving, it's hard to fault.

Best for: cost-conscious city drivers who want the cheapest possible route into EV ownership.

The BYD Dolphin Surf is a strong budget EV for new drivers who want modern tech without a high price.

It offers a compact size, decent equipment and a youthful design. Features such as smartphone connectivity, safety systems and driver assistance make it feel easy to live with.

The main downside is that BYD is still a newer name for some UK buyers, but the value is hard to ignore.

Best for: new drivers who want a budget EV with good standard equipment.

The Fiat 500e is one of the easiest EVs to recommend for city-based new drivers. It is small, stylish and very easy to park.

It suits short trips, town driving and drivers who want something that feels fun without being difficult to handle. The electric powertrain makes it smooth and simple in traffic.

The main drawback is space. Rear seats and boot room are limited, so it is not the best option if you regularly carry passengers.

Best for: new drivers who want a stylish city EV.

The Nissan Micra Electric is a strong choice for new drivers who want a familiar small-car name in electric form.

It should offer a good mix of compact size, useful range and easy driving. The Micra name also gives it a more familiar feel than some newer EV brands.

It is likely to appeal to drivers who want something modern but not too unusual.

Best for: new drivers who want a familiar small EV with good everyday range.

The Vauxhall Corsa Electric is a safe, familiar choice. The Corsa has been a first-car favourite in the UK for years, and the electric version keeps that mainstream appeal.

It feels like a normal hatchback, which is useful for new drivers who do not want anything too quirky. It is also widely available, so test drives, servicing and finance options should be easy to find.

It is more expensive than some newer budget EVs, but it remains a sensible all-rounder.

Best for: new drivers who want a familiar electric hatchback.

What Should New Drivers Look For in an EV?

New drivers should focus on insurance, visibility, parking ease, charging access and realistic range. A smaller EV with a lower monthly cost is usually a better first car than a larger model with a bigger battery.

Rear parking sensors or a reversing camera

For most new drivers, a range of around 150 to 220 miles is enough. Longer range is useful, but only worth paying extra for if the driver regularly does motorway journeys or cannot charge easily.

The Renault 5 E-Tech is the standout EV for new drivers in 2026 because it gets the balance right where it matters most. It feels modern, easy to drive, compact enough for everyday town use and practical enough to live with long term.

Unlike some budget EVs that feel basic or stripped back, the Renault 5 still feels like a proper, desirable car while remaining approachable for inexperienced drivers. It is easy to park, comfortable in traffic and simple to drive thanks to the smooth electric setup. Running costs should stay manageable, and the range is realistic for commuting, college, work and everyday social driving.

What makes it the strongest all-rounder is that it avoids major compromises. Some rivals are cheaper but less refined, while others offer more performance but higher insurance costs and less first-car friendliness. The Renault 5 sits in the sweet spot between affordability, usability, design and confidence behind the wheel.

For new drivers who want an EV that feels exciting without becoming stressful or expensive to own, the Renault 5 E-Tech is the best overall choice.

Discover the best EV cars for new drivers in 2026, including the Renault 5 E-Tech, Citroën ë-C3 and Dacia Spring. Compare affordable, easy-to-drive electric cars for first-time drivers.

Best EV Cars for New Drivers in 2026 | Zego’s Choice


Does Telematics Insurance Have a Curfew?

Most modern telematics insurance does not have a curfew. Older black box policies sometimes restricted driving between certain hours or charged extra for night driving, but app-based products including Zego Sense judge driving on behaviour, not the clock. You can drive at any hour of the day or night without breaking your policy.

The curfew myth comes from an earlier generation of black box products built around young-driver cover, where insurers restricted late-night driving to lower the claim rate. That model has largely been replaced by behaviour-based scoring, but the reputation has stuck. Modern 

 takes a different approach to the same risk question.

This guide covers what a telematics curfew actually was, why most insurers no longer use them, and how modern app-based products treat night driving differently to the products people remember.

A telematics insurance curfew is a policy restriction that limits driving between specified hours, usually overnight. Older black box products applied curfews to young drivers because late-night driving correlates with higher claim frequency. Driving during the curfew either invalidated the policy, triggered an excess penalty, or pushed up the renewal price.

Curfew terms varied by insurer. The most common version restricted driving between 23.00 and 05.00, which captured the highest-risk hours for young-driver collisions. Some products applied a hard ban with cover voided during the curfew. Others used a soft curfew, where night driving was allowed but counted heavily against the renewal price.

The model worked statistically but failed in practice. Drivers who needed to work shifts, attend evening events, or simply travel at unusual hours found themselves uninsured at the times they most needed cover. The curfew approach was effectively a blanket judgement on time of day, regardless of how the driver actually drove during those hours.

Do all telematics insurers ban night driving?

No. Telematics insurers split into two distinct camps. Legacy black box products may still apply curfews or surcharges to night driving, particularly on young-driver policies. Modern app-based products including Zego Sense do not. The technology has moved on from time-based restrictions to behaviour-based scoring.

The split matters when shopping. A telematics policy is not a single product type. The label covers everything from a hardware-fitted black box with hard curfew rules to a smartphone app that runs in the background and scores trips on driving behaviour. 

 covers the technology differences in detail.

Anyone who needs to drive at night, whether for work, family, or because they prefer empty roads, should check the policy terms before buying. The phrase to look for is curfew or restricted hours. Modern app-based products tend not to use either.

Black box insurance used curfews because the technology of the time could not score driving behaviour finely enough to separate a careful late-night driver from a risky one. The blunt fix was to price the entire time window as high-risk, regardless of who was at the wheel. The data was clear: late-night collisions involving young drivers were disproportionately severe.

The reasoning came from collision data, not prejudice. Department for Transport analysis has long shown that driving in the early hours carries a higher fatality rate, partly because of fatigue, partly because of alcohol, and partly because of the type of driving that happens late at night. Black box products converted that statistical risk directly into a policy term.

What the early black box could not do was tell who within that risk pool was driving safely. A 19-year-old delivering pizzas at 23.00 was treated identically to a 19-year-old driving home from a club at 02.00, even though the actual road behaviour was very different. The curfew approach was a coarse instrument applied to a finer problem.

Does Zego Sense have a night-time curfew?

No. Zego Sense does not have a night-time curfew. The product judges driving on six metrics: acceleration, braking, cornering, speed, rest, and phone distraction. None of those metrics is a clock check. You can drive at any hour without invalidating cover or triggering a penalty.

The product takes a different approach to the same risk question. Rather than ban driving during higher-risk hours, Zego Sense assesses how you drive during them. A smooth, alert, well-paced 02.00 drive home from a shift produces a clean score. A jerky, late-braking drive at the same time produces a lower score. The scoring is the same logic at any hour.

This change is part of what separates app-based telematics from the older black box generation. The full mechanism is covered in how the Zego Sense app works, which walks through what the sensors capture and how the score is built.

Does driving at night still affect your driver score?

Driving at night may still affect your driver score in subtle ways, depending on the product. Most app-based systems are time-aware in their risk model but do not penalise simply for being on the road after dark. Zego Sense looks at how you drive, not when, so consistent careful night driving produces a strong score.

Some legacy systems retain a residual time-of-day weighting that lifts the score impact of any harsh event during higher-risk hours. The reasoning is that the same brake event at 03.00 is statistically more dangerous than the same brake event at 11.00. Modern app-based products tend to integrate that risk into the behaviour metrics rather than apply it as a separate clock-based penalty.

The practical takeaway is that smooth driving at any hour holds your score. Anyone uncertain about a specific product's night driving treatment should check the terms before buying, particularly if shift work or family commitments mean regular night driving is part of the routine.

Is telematics insurance a good fit for shift workers?

Yes. Modern app-based telematics insurance is generally a good fit for shift workers. The behaviour-based scoring rewards careful driving regardless of time of day, which suits drivers who work nights, early mornings, or rotating shifts. The older black box curfew model was the part of telematics that did not fit shift work, and that model has largely been retired.

Shift workers are an interesting test case for telematics pricing because traditional insurance often treats them poorly. A standard quote priced on demographics and postcode alone does not see whether the driver is alert, smooth, and safe at 04.00. A telematics product does see it. For drivers with steady, careful habits, the score-based pricing tends to produce a fairer number than the demographic baseline.

The main caveat is fatigue, which is not a function of the curfew but of the driver. A shift worker driving home short on sleep is at higher crash risk regardless of the policy in place. The product does not change that. 

 covers the night-driving question alongside several other misconceptions, and the underlying score mechanics are explained in 

how your telematics driving score is calculated

What questions should you ask before buying a telematics policy?

Before buying any telematics policy, ask whether the product applies curfews or restricted hours, how the score is calculated, what the rolling window is, what happens at renewal, and whether the policy treats night driving differently. The answers separate older black box products from modern app-based products in a single conversation.

The curfew question is the headline. The follow-ups matter just as much. A product that scores on a 28-day rolling window forgives one bad day; a product that scores on a single trip does not. A product that uses six metrics gives you more levers to improve the score; a product that uses three is blunter.

For drivers shopping for cover priced on real driving, 

telematics car insurance priced on how you actually drive

 is the modern alternative to the old curfew model. The technology, the scoring approach, and the renewal mechanics have all changed since the black box era.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), March 2024.

 Driver fatigue and road accidents: Road safety factsheet. Cited for the higher fatality rate associated with collisions during the early hours of the morning, which is the underlying risk historic black box curfews were designed to address. 

https://www.rospa.com/health-and-safety-news/driver-fatigue-and-road-collisions

Department for Transport, September 2025.

 Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2024. Cited for the time-of-day pattern in fatal road collisions in Great Britain. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2024/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2024

Does telematics insurance have a curfew? Not always. Some policies may include restrictions, but it depends on the insurer. It’s best to check what applies to your specific cover.


Does Telematics Insurance Have a Curfew?

Not exactly. Telematics is the broader category, and black box insurance is one type of telematics. A black box policy uses a small fitted device to record driving data. App-based products like Zego Sense use your smartphone instead. Both are telematics. Only one is a black box.

The two terms get used interchangeably in everyday conversation, and most insurers, comparison sites, and journalists treat them as synonyms. Strictly, that is not quite right. The Association of British Insurers defines telematics as the parent category, with the black box as one of three possible delivery methods alongside built-in vehicle computers and smartphone apps. The relationship is hierarchical, not equivalent.

This guide covers the actual definitions, why the words get muddled, where the modern app-based generation sits in the picture, and what the distinction means when you are shopping for cover.

What is the difference between telematics and black box insurance?

The difference is one of category and technology. Telematics is the umbrella term for any car insurance policy that prices using driving data. Black box insurance is one specific implementation, where a hardware device fitted to the vehicle collects that data. Every black box policy is telematics. Not every telematics policy uses a black box.

The Association of British Insurers describes the technology in three forms: a computer built into the car at the manufacturer stage, a small device commonly known as a black box that the insurer fits to an existing vehicle, or a smartphone app. The data collected is broadly similar across all three. The difference is how that data reaches the insurer, and what it costs to install, remove, or transfer.

For drivers, the practical effect is that picking a telematics product means picking one of those three delivery methods. The hardware-fitted black box belongs to the older generation. App-based cover is the newer generation and is now the dominant model for most consumer products. 

Telematics car insurance explained in full

 covers the broader category and how the underlying scoring works.

Is a black box just one type of telematics?

Yes. A black box is one of three telematics formats. The hardware device is roughly the size of a matchbox, fitted behind the dashboard or under the bonnet by an engineer. It contains a GPS chip, an accelerometer, and a mobile data connection. The job of the box is to capture driving behaviour and send it to the insurer. Everything else in the policy is standard motor insurance.

The black box format dominated the early years of telematics because smartphone sensors were not yet accurate enough for insurance-grade scoring. Insurers needed dedicated hardware to capture clean data. That has changed. Modern phones now contain accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS chips that match or exceed the precision of a fitted box for the purpose of measuring driving behaviour.

The other two formats are vehicle-built telematics, where the manufacturer integrates the data feed into the car's onboard computer, and smartphone-based telematics, where the policyholder's phone runs the data collection. 

 goes into the hardware version specifically.

Why do people use the terms interchangeably?

People use telematics and black box interchangeably because the black box dominated the market for over a decade and became shorthand for the whole category. When telematics insurance first reached UK consumers in the early 2010s, almost every product was sold as black box cover. The terminology stuck even as the underlying technology moved on.

Comparison sites still tend to use the two words in the same breath. Search a query for telematics and you will see results that talk about black boxes, and the reverse is also true. The wording reflects how most consumers think about the category rather than the strict technical definition. For shopping purposes the conflation is not usually a problem, because the comparison site filters tend to surface the same set of products either way.

The point at which the distinction matters is at the level of the policy itself. A driver who buys what they think is a black box policy and then finds out the product is app-based, or vice versa, may have different expectations about installation, transferability, and what happens if the technology fails. Reading the policy document for the specific delivery method is the safe approach.

Is app-based telematics still considered telematics?

Yes. App-based telematics is a recognised form of telematics insurance. The ABI confirms that smartphone apps sit alongside built-in computers and fitted black boxes as one of three accepted ways of collecting telematics data. The category is defined by the use of driving data to set premiums, not by the type of hardware that captures it.

The app-based generation has grown quickly because it removes most of the friction that limited the black box generation. There is no engineer visit, no installation fee, no fitted hardware to maintain or remove, and no requirement that the device stays with one specific car. The phone goes wherever the policyholder goes, and the data follows.

Insurers using the app-based approach typically score the same six driving behaviours as the black box generation: acceleration, braking, cornering, speed, distance, and time of day. The mechanics are explained in 

how the Zego Sense app collects and uses driving data

, which walks through what the phone actually measures on a trip.

Does Zego Sense count as black box insurance?

No. Zego Sense is telematics insurance, but it is not black box insurance. The product runs on the policyholder's smartphone rather than a fitted device. It belongs to the app-based generation of telematics rather than the hardware-fitted generation. The cover, the scoring approach, and the pricing model are similar to a black box policy. The technology is different.

The practical implications of choosing app-based over black box are usually positive for the driver. There is no installation appointment, no engineer fee, no fitted hardware to remove if the policy ends, and no obstacle to switching cars mid-policy. The phone-based sensors capture the same six driving behaviours that an old-style black box captured, often with finer resolution.

Zego positions Sense as offering the benefits of black box insurance without the hardware. 

The comparison between telematics and black box products

 gives a fuller breakdown of where the two formats overlap and where they part ways.

Telematics is not consistently cheaper or more expensive than black box, because the two are not separate products. The price of a telematics policy depends on the underwriting, the scoring model, and the driver's behaviour, regardless of whether the data comes from a fitted box or a smartphone app. Either format can produce competitive pricing for safe drivers.

What does tend to differ is the cost of the surrounding admin. Black box policies often carry an installation fee, a removal fee at the end of the policy, and sometimes a fitting fee for a new vehicle if you change car mid-term. App-based products avoid those charges entirely, which can amount to a meaningful saving over a year or two even if the headline premium is identical.

The headline premium itself is set by the insurer's risk model, not the delivery method. 

 covers what actually drives the number, including age, postcode, vehicle, and the early portion of the driving score. The hardware versus app question affects admin costs more than the core premium.

Which type of telematics insurance is right for you?

The right type depends on the car you drive, how often you swap vehicles, your comfort with a smartphone running the policy, and what restrictions you can live with. App-based products suit drivers who change cars, want frictionless setup, and are happy to keep their phone available during journeys. Black box products may suit drivers without a reliable smartphone or with a vehicle that benefits from hardware-grade data capture.

For most modern drivers the app-based option is the simpler choice. There is nothing to install, nothing to remove, and the policy moves with the driver rather than the car. Cover changes, vehicle changes, and renewal updates are typically handled in the app within a few minutes. The black box format remains useful in narrower circumstances and is still the default for some legacy young-driver products.

If you want to compare your current cover against an app-based alternative, 

app-based telematics car insurance from Zego

 gives you a quote priced on how you actually drive rather than on demographics alone. The full pillar at 

what telematics car insurance is and how it works

 covers the wider category if you want the background first.

 Pay how you drive motor insurance. Cited for the definitional relationship between telematics and black box insurance, and for the three accepted forms of telematics technology: built-in vehicle computer, fitted black box device, and smartphone app. 

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/pay-how-you-drive-motor-insurance/

 Telematics motor insurance: Consumer guide. Cited for the description of telematics policies as 'pay how you drive' or 'black box' insurance, and for the use of GPS technology to measure driving behaviour as the basis for premium calculation. 

https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/subject/public/motor/telematics-motor-insurance---consumer-guide.pdf

Is telematics the same as a black box? Not quite. A black box is just one type of telematics device installed in your car to track driving behavior. Telematics is the bigger picture the technology behind collecting and analyzing that data. In short, all black boxes are telematics, but not all telematics are black boxes.


Is Telematics the same as blackbox?

Updated for 2026 — current DVSA pass rates, the fault categories examiners actually mark you down on, and the nerves-and-prep playbook that separates first-time passes from heartbreak fails.

Roughly half of UK learners fail their practical driving test on the first attempt. DVSA pass rates sat at 48.2% for the 2024/25 financial year, broadly unchanged from 48.4% in 2022/23. With test waiting lists running 3 to 6 months in most areas of the UK in 2026, a fail means a long gap before the next shot, plus the cost of extra lessons and another £62 or £75 test fee. The stakes are high, so knowing what trips learners up most often is worth real preparation.

Here are the top 10 reasons learner drivers fail the UK practical test, plus the overlooked stuff (test anxiety, centre choice, cancellation bots) that doesn't show up in most guides but dominates every real failure story on Reddit.

What's the current UK driving test pass rate?

The UK practical driving test pass rate sits at around 48% in 2026, based on DVSA annual data. Rates vary significantly by test centre, age of candidate, and gender. Test centres in quieter rural areas routinely post pass rates above 60%, while central London centres often sit below 40%. Male learners pass slightly more often than female learners on the first attempt, though female learners pass with fewer faults on average.

Theory test pass rates run higher, at around 45% for first-time attempts in 2024/25.

Failing to check properly at junctions is the single biggest cause of a driving test fail every year, according to DVSA fault data. Candidates misjudge oncoming speeds, pull out in front of vehicles that were clearly visible, or emerge without checking for cyclists and motorbikes hidden behind parked cars.

The fix is the "creep and peep" method at restricted-view junctions: edge forward in small, controlled movements until you can see clearly in both directions, then check again before committing. Repeat the check if you have to wait for a gap. First glance isn't enough.

Under test conditions, make observation visible. The examiner can only credit what they can see you doing, so a clear head turn beats a flick of the eyes.

2. Use of mirrors when changing direction

Not checking mirrors before signalling, changing lanes, or turning is the second most common fault category. The fix is the Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre (MSM) routine, applied every time you change direction or speed. Check mirrors first, signal only if needed, then manoeuvre.

Mirrors alone miss the blind spot. A shoulder check before any lane change or overtake is essential and should be obvious enough for the examiner to notice. Under test nerves it's easy to skip these — build them into muscle memory during lessons so they happen automatically.

Understeering into the opposite lane, oversteering onto the kerb, or consistently wobbly lane-keeping all rack up faults quickly. Keep both hands on the wheel in a consistent position (9 and 3 is standard now, not the old 10 and 2), steer smoothly, and don't cross your hands. Mount the kerb once with nobody nearby and it might be a minor. Mount it twice, or near a pedestrian, and it escalates to a serious fault.

Practise the bends and corners you find hardest repeatedly in lessons. Most test routes include one or two tight corners where steering faults show up.

4. Incorrect positioning when turning right

Sitting too far left while waiting to turn right (blocking following traffic), turning across the wrong lane at a junction, or choosing the wrong roundabout lane are all common marks against. Position just left of the centre line when waiting to turn right, keep your wheels straight (so a rear-end shunt doesn't push you into oncoming traffic), and read the road markings early enough to pick the right lane.

If you realise too late you're in the wrong lane, it's almost always safer to stay in your lane and take the wrong exit than swerve across. Examiners can redirect you back to the route.

Pulling out into approaching traffic, setting off without the proper mirror-and-blind-spot checks, or rolling backwards on a hill start are classic fails. The routine that prevents it is Prepare, Observe, Move (POM): prepare the car (gear, bite point), observe (full 360° check), move only when safe.

Hill starts are where nerves hurt the most. Use the handbrake every time on a gradient, find the bite point before releasing it, and don't roll back. More than a couple of rolling hill starts in a test will usually escalate to a serious fault.

Driving tests can be hard. To help you get prepared for yours, here are the top 10 reasons learner drivers fail their practical exams, plus a few tips to build your confidence on the road.

Advice to help you make sense of insurance

Jump to a Category

Private Hire

Food Delivery

Business Van

Van Courier

Self-employed

Telematics

Guides: Zego Sense App

Guides: Zego Delivery App

News

Zego

Latest News

Best EV Cars for New Drivers in 2026 | Zego’s Choice

Does Telematics Insurance Have a Curfew?

Is Telematics the same as blackbox?

The 10 most common reasons for failing your driving test

Driving with a provisional licence in the UK: Your complete guide

Top Ten Fuel Saving Tips for UK Taxi Drivers

Van insurance groups explained (2025)

Is Car Insurance Cheaper For Electric Cars?

When is my car insurance due? How to check your renewal