Key points
- 'Speed: safe and reasonable' is on the DVSA's list of the most common reasons for failing.
- New drivers judge speed by the sign rather than by what they can see.
- Drill: Stopping distance check.
- Your DriveSQ Student Portal tracks this skill lesson by lesson.
Not driving at a safe and reasonable speed for the road and conditions was added to the DVSA's list in 2024. It isn't only about speeding — driving well under the limit when it's safe to go faster can also be a fault.
What the examiner is looking for
Keeping to speed limits, adjusting for conditions (parked cars, pedestrians, weather, schools), and making progress when it's safe — not holding up traffic without reason.
What it looks like on test
- Doing 30 past a row of parked cars and a school entrance.
- Missing a drop to 20mph.
- Doing 40 on a clear 70mph dual carriageway.
- Approaching hazards too fast to stop in the distance you can see.
Why it happens
New drivers judge speed by the sign rather than by what they can see. A safe speed is one where you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear.
How to fix it: drills we use
Stopping distance check
Use our stopping distance calculator, then ask on every road: could I stop in the space I can see?
Progress practice
On a clear dual carriageway, build up to the limit smoothly.
20mph zones
Learn where the 20mph zones are on your lessons.
Where it catches learners in Greater Manchester
20mph residential zones across Manchester near West Didsbury and Cheetham Hill; dual carriageways near Chadderton and Bolton. Our test-route guides list the exact roads.
Self-check before your test
Can you tick all of these?
Be honest — if not, tell your instructor and practise it on your next lesson.
In the DriveSQ Student Portal your instructor marks "Speed: safe and reasonable" as its own skill after each lesson, so you can watch it move from "introduced" to "independent" before you book.
DriveSQ Student Portal
Every SQ Driving School learner gets the DriveSQ Student Portal free — so you always know where you stand, not just how many hours you've had.
- 23 driving skills tracked after every lesson
- Theory library and 50-question mock tests
- Test-readiness checklist and instructor messaging
Why SQ Driving School?
SQ Driving School is owned and managed by DriveSQ — the Greater Manchester driving school behind the Student and Instructor Portals.
- Manual & automatic, same price: £35/hr
- 10 hours £350 — £320 for NHS staff, students and M16/M18/M19
- Door-to-door pick-up across Greater Manchester
Frequently asked questions
Is driving at a safe and reasonable speed a common reason for failing the driving test?
Is a speed: safe and reasonable fault always a fail?
How do I stop making driving at a safe and reasonable speed mistakes?
How many minor faults can you have and still pass?
Sources
- GOV.UK — Top 10 reasons for failing the driving test
- GOV.UK — DVSA reveals top driving test faults
- GOV.UK — What happens during the driving test
- The Highway Code (GOV.UK)
Published by SQ Driving School, a brand owned and managed by DriveSQ. Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and test centres change — always confirm on GOV.UK before you book.