PureCar
Sell your car Sell car
DVA report 5.0–5.2

Move Away on the Northern Ireland driving test

Moving away safely combines observation, control and judgement of a suitable gap.

What the examiner is assessing

You should use mirrors, check blind spots, choose the correct gear and move away without rolling back or forcing another road user to react.

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.

!

Moving off after a mirror check but without a final blind-spot check.

!

Rolling backwards on a gradient or pulling into an unsuitable gap.

How to improve before the next test

  1. Practise repeated move-offs on level roads, hills and from behind parked vehicles.
  2. Delay the final blind-spot check until immediately before movement so it reflects the current situation.

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 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 ↗