DVA report 22.0

Awareness and Planning on the Northern Ireland driving test

Awareness and planning is the ability to see what may happen next and adjust before it becomes a problem.

What the examiner is assessing

You should anticipate other road users, changing road conditions and developing hazards, with particular care for vulnerable users.

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.

Reacting only after a hazard has fully developed.

Failing to account for a cyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist or horse rider who could reasonably affect your path.

How to improve before the next test

Use commentary driving to identify what could change in the next few seconds.
After each lesson, review late reactions and work backwards to the earliest clue you could have noticed.

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

Reviewed against official Northern Ireland guidanceInformation checked 22 September 2026.

Official source ↗

Northern Ireland learner guide

Awareness and Planning — what to improve

Awareness and planning is the ability to see what may happen next and adjust before it becomes a problem.

You should anticipate other road users, changing road conditions and developing hazards, with particular care for vulnerable users.

Useful points to focus on

Use commentary driving to identify what could change in the next few seconds.
After each lesson, review late reactions and work backwards to the earliest clue you could have noticed.