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DVA report 2.0

Ancillary Controls on the Northern Ireland driving test

You should be able to use safety-related controls without losing attention on the road.

What the examiner is assessing

The examiner expects you to know controls such as indicators, lights, wipers, demisters and heaters and to operate them correctly when needed.

The category does not determine the grade by itself.A mistake can be recorded differently depending on the circumstances, repetition and level of risk. One serious or dangerous fault fails the test, while 16 or more driving faults also results in a fail.

Examples of weaknesses in this area

These examples are for understanding and practice; they are not a promise that a particular mistake will always receive a particular grade.

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Looking down for too long while searching for a control.

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Failing to use demisters or lights appropriately when conditions require them.

How to improve before the next test

  1. Sit in the test car while stationary and locate every commonly used control by touch and memory.
  2. Practise using wipers, washers, lights and demisters while maintaining road observation.

Turn the report into practice

Related practice guide

Work directly on the driving skill most closely connected to this report area.

Open practice guide →

Build an Improvement Plan

Add this category alongside the other marks from your report.

Create plan →

Mock Practical Test

Track faults during a supervised practice drive.

Start mock →

Other report categories

1.0 Eyesight Test 1.2 Vehicle Safety Questions 3.0 Precautions 4.0–4.7 Control 5.0–5.2 Move Away 6.0–6.2 Emergency Stop 7.0–7.2 Reverse to the Left or Right 8.0–8.2 Turn in the Road 9.0–9.2 Reverse Parking
Reviewed against official Northern Ireland guidanceInformation checked 21 September 2026.
Official source ↗