PureCar
Sell your car Sell car
DVA report 10.0–10.3

Use of Mirrors / Rear Observation on the Northern Ireland driving test

Mirror checks must give you information that changes or confirms your decision; simply moving your eyes toward a mirror is not enough.

What the examiner is assessing

You should know what is around and behind the car before signalling, changing direction or changing speed, including blind spots where necessary.

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.

!

Braking or changing direction before checking the relevant mirror.

!

Looking in a mirror but then making a manoeuvre that forces another road user to react.

How to improve before the next test

  1. Say what you actually see in the mirror during practice, not merely “mirror”.
  2. Ask your instructor to identify late checks separately from completely missed checks.

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 ↗