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DVA report 17.0–17.3

Judgement on the Northern Ireland driving test

Judgement covers overtaking, meeting traffic and crossing the path of oncoming traffic.

What the examiner is assessing

You should leave enough room and time so other road users do not need to brake, swerve or stop because of your decision.

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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Passing a cyclist with insufficient room.

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Forcing an oncoming vehicle to stop at an obstruction that you could reasonably have waited for.

How to improve before the next test

  1. Practise identifying the “decision point” before committing to an overtake or meeting situation.
  2. Build larger safety margins first; speed can become more fluent as judgement improves.

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 2.0 Ancillary Controls 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 ↗