Fail Items
Reasons Why You Will NOT PASS Your
Older Driver Assessment
Avoid these FAIL Items for Your
Senior Driver Assessment
Understanding NSW Older Driver Assessment Fail Items, helps senior drivers prepare with confidence and know what is expected during their assessment.
Most older drivers in NSW are safe, considerate and experienced. Over time, the ageing process can affect vision, attention and reaction times. These changes vary from person to person and may influence how quickly a driver can identify and respond to unexpected situations.
Staying safe on the road is achievable with up to date knowledge and sound habits. Refresher lessons can help revise current road rules, strengthen observation and decision making, and reinforce simple, low risk techniques for common situations such as intersections, roundabouts and school zones.
We want to help promote and revise safe driving practices while respecting the independence of senior drivers.
This can include but is not limited to the following;
- Simple scanning and planning
- Maintaing safe following distances
- Managing longer reaction times
- Responding safely to hazards
- Giving way at intersections
- Safe turns at intersections
- Decision making
What is a Fail Item?
A fail item is an unsafe or high risk driving behaviour that is recorded during the NSW older driver assessment. For example, if you fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or exceed the speed limit, these are considered assessment fail items.
If you commit any one fail item, you will not pass the assessment, even if other parts of your drive were satisfactory. The drive may continue so you receive feedback, but it can be stopped if your driving is unsafe.
The following is a full list of 8 Fail Items you must avoid during your senior driving assessment in NSW;
1. Disobeying traffic signs, signals or road markings.
2. Failing to give way when necessary.
3. Colliding with a vehicle, pedestrian or object.
4. Performing an illegal act or manoeuvre.
5. Exceeding the speed limit.
6. Action requiring testing officer intervention.
7. Causing a dangerous situation.
8. Failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle.
8 Reasons Not to Pass
Remember, if you commit any of the following fail items during your driving assessment, you won’t pass.
FAIL ITEMS
Disobeying traffic signs, signals or road markings.
Failing to give way when necessary.
Colliding with a vehicle, pedestrian or object.
Performing an illegal act or manoeuvre.
Exceeding the speed limit.
Action requiring testing officer or assessor intervention.
Causing a dangerous situation.
Failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle.
EXAMPLES
Failing to come to a complete STOP at a 'Stop' sign or line.
Not giving way to any vehicle that has priority over you at an intersection.
Self explanatory. In addition can include mounting a kerb or a roundabout.
Not using the correct lane to turn at a roundabout.
Includes speed limits for general sections of roads, school zones and road works.
If the assessor has to give you any verbal or physical assistance.
Any unsafe act or behaviour that puts you or others at risk.
Any unsafe act or behaviour that puts you or others at risk e.g giving way unnecessarily.
FAIL ITEM EXAMPLES
Disobeying traffic signs, signals or road markings.
Example: Failing to come to a complete STOP at a 'Stop' sign or line.
Failing to give way when necessary.
Example: Not giving way to any vehicle that has priority over you at an intersection.
Colliding with a vehicle, pedestrian or object.
Example: Self explanatory. In addition can include mounting a kerb or a roundabout.
Performing an illegal act or manoeuvre.
Example: Not using the correct lane to turn at a roundabout.
Exceeding the speed limit.
Example: Includes speed limits for general sections of roads, school zones and road works.
Action requiring testing officer intervention.
Example: If the assessor has to give you any verbal or physical assistance.
Causing a dangerous situation.
Example: Any unsafe act or behaviour that puts you or others at risk.
Failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle.
Example: Any unsafe act or behaviour that puts you or others at risk e.g giving way unnecessarily.
What are Some Common Fail Items?
Senior driving assessments are designed to ensure that senior drivers demonstrate the necessary skills to drive safely. However, there are several common reasons why older drivers might fail their driving test.
Understanding these reasons can help drivers prepare more effectively and enhance their chances of retaining their driving privileges.
Simple driving errors such as not coming to a complete STOP at a ‘Stop’ sign or exceeding the speed limit, are actually deemed to be ‘high risk’ and are classed as ‘fail items’ during your practical senior driving test.
If you commit even a single ‘fail item’ during your test, you will fail regardless if your overall driving was ‘good’.
What is the Difference Between
Fail Items and a ‘Serious Fail‘?
In the context of older driver assessments in NSW, the distinction between “fail items” and a “serious fail” reflects the severity and potential consequences of the errors made during the driving test.
Serious Fails
Unlike fail items that are considered ‘high risk’, a ‘Serious Fail’ on the other hand, occurs when your driving behaviour poses a real danger to you, the assessor or other road users.
Serious fails are considered severe because they demonstrate a significant lapse in safe driving behavior, posing an immediate threat to road safety.
Both types of fails are critical in the assessment process, but serious fails are treated with more urgency because they highlight fundamental issues with the driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.
If a serious fail result is recorded, your drivers licence will be cancelled. If you wish to ‘challenge’ the decision, you can lodge an appeal through the court.
What is the Process?
Simple online booking
SELECT YOUR TIME & DATE
Choose a suitable time and date to complete your driving assessment.
BOOK & CONFIRM
You can easily book online or call us on 1300 632 679 to book your assessment.
COMPLETE YOUR ASSESSMENT
Your aged assessor will complete your driving assessment from your home.
Top Tips for an Older
Driver Assessment
Apply the Road Rules
During your driving assessment make sure that you comply with all signals, road markings and regulatory traffic (red & white signs such as Speed, Stop and Give Way signs that inform you of traffic laws and regulations).
Speed Management
Exceeding the posted limit will result in a fail. It’s important to set a safe and legal speed that suits the traffic, weather and road conditions. Things like slowing down sooner on a wet road or during heavy traffic are assessed.
Hazard Response
You will be assessed on how well you spot hazards and protect your crash avoidance space. Depending on the situation, this may include setting up or covering the brake, easing off the accelerator, reducing speed, or creating a buffer by adjusting your road position or changing lanes.
Road Positioning
When turning left or right, hold a correct position before, during and after the turn. If lanes are marked, stay in your lane throughout the turn and only change lanes once the turn is complete.
Decision Making
Each time you enter traffic, turn at intersections or change lanes, make clear, timely decisions. Always give way to any vehicle with priority, including when merging, entering a line of traffic or changing lanes.
Vehicle Control
You will be assessed on smooth, confident control of the vehicle, including steady steering, effective braking and acceleration, and maintaining lane position.
Answers to Common Questions
Are you a Senior Driver turning 85 years or older?
If you answered yes and don't intend on applying for a modified licence, you will need to complete an Older Driver Assessment. This is also commonly known as a Senior Drivers Assessment and will need to be completed before your 85th birthday and every two years thereafter.
What is an Older Driver Assessment?
In short, senior driver assessments are practical on-road tests that are designed to assess your suitability to drive.
After a certain age, you need to sit a driving test to keep your licence. This may be due to a medical request from your doctor requesting one (under 85+ years) or you may be required from age 85 or both. Simply put, an assessment is required to help keep you and others safe on the road.
Do I have to go to Service NSW for the senior driving test?
No. You can book with an accredited Older Driver Assessor, which is often more convenient and supportive than visiting a Service NSW centre.
How long does the senior driver test take?
The driving assessment usually takes around 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
What happens if I don’t pass the senior driving test?
You can rebook another test, and in some cases, you may choose a modified licence instead.
Can I use my own car for the assessment?
Yes, provided your car is roadworthy and registered.
Are you a family member or friend of a senior driver?
If you hold genuine concerns about an older family member or friends driving ability, get in touch with us so that one of our experienced older driver assessors can conduct an on-road driving assessment to assess their fitness to drive.
What is the licence process?
You can check out the licence process here
Are you a family member or friend of a senior driver?
If you hold genuine concerns about an older family member or friends driving ability, get in touch with us so that one of our experienced older driver assessors can conduct an on-road driving assessment to assess their fitness to drive.
Are your Older Driver Assessors Accredited?
Absolutely! All of our Senior Driver Assessors have been verified and are accredited by Transport for NSW to conduct Older Driver Assessments.
Can the Assessment be done from home?
It sure can be. Senior Driver Assessments are usually conducted starting at your home. In addition, the actual on-road test includes roads you drive every day in your local area.
How Many Times Can I attempt the Older Aged Driving Assessment?
If you sit your driving assessment at a Service NSW Testing Centre and fail on 3 attempts, you'll be issued with a modified licence*.
When you complete your Senior Driving Assessment with us, you can do your assessment as many times as you like. However, that is as long as you don’t commit a ‘Serious Fail’ error based on Transport for NSW standards.
What happens after my driving assessment?
If you are successful and pass your senior driving assessment, your older age assessor will log into the RMS online Accredited Assessor Reporting System and record the outcome of the assessment.
If you are unsuccessful due to committing one of the 8 fail items, your assessor will provide you with feedback about your driving. You will also be provided with a copy of the assessment score sheet. At this time, arrangements can be made to book another assessment date.
If you commit a 'Serious Fail', your assessor will record this result on the RMS online Accredited Assessor Reporting System and unfortunately your licence will be cancelled.
Can I choose a modified licence instead of sitting the older driver test?
Do I need a medical review as well as a senior driving test?
Once i'm 85, do I need to book the older driver assessment every year?
From age 85, a practical driving test is required every 2 years unless you choose a modified licence.