New data has revealed the main reason why learner drivers fail their test in Southampton -how to avoid it.

Maybush driving test centre on Green Lane carried out 7,244 tests between April 2023 and October 2023.

Only 44.23 per cent of those learners passed, and data obtained by entrepreneur Jake Cracknell has cracked down on why so many hopeful drivers fail.

At Southampton Maybush, 10.70 per cent of fails in 2023 involved the “junctions – observation” serious fault, which typically occurs when a learner pulls out of a junction or roundabout too quickly and causes another car to slow down.

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This fault can also be dished out if the person doing the test does not stop and look at a crossroads, does not check blind spots when joining a dual carriageway or turns right in front of oncoming traffic.

Across the UK, this typically only fails 3.39 per cent of drivers – making it unusually common in Southampton.

Since the majority of Maybush’s test routes pass through the crossroads at Tebourba Way and Romsey Road, these could be the areas that catch learners out.

The junction between Tebourba Way and Romsey Road might be a good one to practice, as it is present in most Maybush test routes.The junction between Tebourba Way and Romsey Road might be a good one to practice, as it is present in most Maybush test routes. (Image: Google Maps) The second most common serious fault – present in 7.47 per cent of fails – is “progress – speed too slow.”

This essentially means that the learner driver is driving too slowly, especially when significantly below the speed limit and impacting vehicles behind.

Being hesitant on a slip road and not building enough speed to merge safely is another common cause, but it can also be dealt out by an instructor when speed is lost due to improper gear selection on a hill.

In terms of minor driver faults, the average Maybush learner racks up 6.03 on average.

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A person fails their test if they accumulate 16 minor faults.

Those with P plates in Southampton should not be discouraged if they got the “move off – safely” fault against their name, because almost one in two drivers receive it at Maybush (46 per cent).

This can be caused by learners not checking their blind spots when moving off from a parked position or not completing observations after an emergency stop.

The average wait time at the Maybush driving test centre has now reached 24 weeks.