What does fault 13.1.5 mean in the DGT practical exam?

Fault 13.1.5 is «Relaciones de marcha» (gear selection), in group 13 «Manejo de mandos» (control handling) of the DGT fault table. It is scored as a minor fault (L) to not use the gear appropriate to the vehicle's speed or to the traffic and road conditions, to shift to neutral before stopping instead of using engine braking, and for each stall caused by not selecting the right gear — the document states that one (L) is recorded per stall. Not using the right gear on long descents so the engine brakes is scored (D) or (L) depending on speed, gradient, vehicle weight and brake abuse for heavy vehicles, and (L) for all other vehicles. Picking the wrong gear is not penalised if the candidate corrects it promptly.

What is DGT fault 11.4?

Fault 11.4 is «Señales verticales» (vertical signs), in group 11 «Obediencia de las señales» (obeying signage). It is an eliminatory fault (E) to disobey priority signs (give way, stop — alone or combined with a flashing amber light — and priority to oncoming traffic), no-entry and restricted-access signs, other prohibition or restriction signs and mandatory signs, as well as exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 30 km/h. It is a deficient fault (D) to exceed the limit by more than 20 and up to 30 km/h, to fail to use your priority and obstruct others, or to obstruct pedestrians in coexistence zones, residential streets or Zona 30 areas. It is a minor fault (L) to exceed the limit by more than 10 and up to 20 km/h, or to miss the direction indicated because you did not properly observe an orientation sign.

How many minor faults fail the practical exam?

Ten. The DGT's «Criterios de calificación» scale does not leave the number to the examiner's judgement: you are declared NO APTO with one ELIMINATORY fault, with two DEFICIENT faults, with one DEFICIENT fault plus five MINOR faults, or with ten MINOR faults. So a single eliminatory fault fails on its own, two deficient faults also fail, and minor faults fail from ten (or from five if you already carry a deficient one).

What is an eliminatory fault in the practical exam?

An eliminatory fault (E) is any behaviour or breach of the rules that endangers your own safety or that of other road users, and in general any breach of traffic signage classified as a serious or very serious offence under the Spanish Traffic Law. A single eliminatory fault is enough to be declared NO APTO. The DGT fault table lists 53 eliminatory behaviours across the 87 codes of the document's 14 groups.

How long does the B-licence practical exam last?

The minimum driving time on roads open to general traffic is 25 minutes for classes B, BE and the B96 authorisation, and the total computed exam time is 30 minutes. That total includes receiving the candidate, preparing the vehicle, its technical road-safety check, any special manoeuvres and communicating the result. Classes A1 and A2 also get 25 minutes of driving and 35 minutes total; all other classes get 45 and 50. The examiner gives instructions from the back seat and a driving-school instructor occupies the passenger seat, in a dual-control car provided by the school.

What is the DGT practical-exam pass rate?

The first-attempt pass rate for the B-licence practical is around 55 % according to DGT data, vs 65 % for the theory. About half of candidates fail the first attempt. The gap with the theory reflects pressure, examiner sensitivity and a set of real skills (coordination, observation) that simulations can't fully replicate.

What exactly does the examiner evaluate?

Three blocks: (1) basic vehicle-control manoeuvres (starting, stopping, reversing, lane changes), (2) circulation on urban and inter-urban roads (signage and traffic-light compliance, priority, appropriate speed, safe distance), and (3) safe and efficient driving (mirror use, indicators, prior observation, anticipation). Each error is logged under its code in the DGT fault table and scored at one of the document's three levels: minor (L), deficient (D) or eliminatory (E).

What manoeuvres can I be asked?

The examiner can ask up to two specific manoeuvres during the test. The most common: parallel parking, perpendicular parking, diagonal parking, straight reversing more than 30 metres, 3-point turn and hill start. Manoeuvres are evaluated by the final result (is the car well placed?) and technique (did you use mirrors? did you signal?).

When is the best time to book the practical?

When you've had at least 3–4 consecutive lessons without the instructor having to intervene with the dual control or give critical instructions. If each lesson still needs reminders about observation, signalling or speed, you're not ready. The pass rate climbs significantly when the candidate has 20+ practical lessons — the exact number matters less than the real sense of control at the wheel.

What happens if I fail the practical?

The tasa 2.1 fee you paid at the start grants two exam sittings: after a first fail you can sit again without paying more, and after two fails a new full fee (€94.05) is due. The school typically recommends 3–5 extra lessons before the next sitting; in practice the new date depends on your traffic office's availability. The examiner can be the same or different, which doesn't influence the result.

Can I take the practical independently (sin autoescuela)?

Theoretically yes, but almost nobody does in practice. You need a dual-control vehicle (mandatory for the exam) and a certified instructor in the passenger seat. Getting both without a driving school is very hard and expensive: renting a dual-control car for the exam and hiring an independent instructor costs more than a school package. So almost everyone ends up using a school even after preparing the theory independently.

What documents do I need on exam day?

Original DNI or NIE (no photocopy), proof of payment of the DGT fee and, if the examiner asks, proof of the medical certificate. The school usually handles administrative paperwork but it's worth confirming the day before. You can't bring a phone or smartwatch during the exam — leave them in the glove compartment or at the school.

When do I get the result?

In most cases at the end of the exam, immediately. The examiner usually tells you the result on returning to the starting point, with a brief explanation of strengths and weaknesses. If you pass you receive a provisional licence the same day and can start driving immediately; the physical card arrives by post in 2–4 weeks.

Practical driving test in Spain (2026): DGT exam guide

How the practical exam works step by step

On exam day you arrive at the DGT test centre with your instructor and the school's car. You identify with DNI and sign the candidate list. The examiner calls in order and asks you to take the wheel of the prepared car. Before starting, they explain the mechanics: they will give instructions (turn right, go straight, stop when you can) and you execute them. If you need anything (windscreen wipers, indicators, lights) you can ask before setting off.

The test runs through the city and, depending on the centre, also on highways or motorways. The route isn't known in advance, but examiners typically use familiar areas around the test centre — asking the school which zones they tend to visit helps you familiarise yourself. During the route the examiner logs faults on a sheet under their code in the official table, at three levels: minor (L), deficient (D) and eliminatory (E).

During the test 1 or 2 specific manoeuvres are evaluated, usually at the start or end. The examiner can request parallel parking, perpendicular parking, straight reversing, 3-point turn or hill start. Parking has a maximum time of two minutes, and forcing or hitting the curb hard without mounting it is logged as a minor fault (code 9.4).

Practical-exam fault table (DGT criteria, March 2026)

The DGT's «Criterios de calificación» grade every error in the practical exam at one of three levels — eliminatory (E), deficient (D) and minor (L) — spread across 14 groups and 87 numbered codes, from 1.1 to 15.3. You fail (NO APTO) with a single eliminatory fault, with two deficient faults, with one deficient plus five minor, or with ten minor faults.

What each fault level means

EEliminatory fault (E): Any behaviour or breach of the rules that endangers your own safety or that of other road users, and in general any breach of traffic signage classified as a serious or very serious offence under the Spanish Traffic Law.
DDeficient fault (D): Any behaviour or breach that obstructs other road users — notably impeding or hindering them — or that visibly affects safety distances, plus any breach of traffic signage that does not amount to an eliminatory fault.
LMinor fault (L): Any breach of the regulations that is neither eliminatory nor deficient, as well as incorrect handling of the vehicle's controls — without prejudice to it being scored more severely depending on the circumstances of each case.

When you fail: the NO APTO scale

The candidate is declared NO APTO (failed) according to the following scale:

With one ELIMINATORY fault.
With two DEFICIENT faults.
With one DEFICIENT fault and five MINOR faults.
With ten MINOR faults.

Minimum exam times

These scales are designed to be applied given that the minimum driving and circulation time for the test of the candidate's skills and behaviour on roads open to general traffic is 25 minutes for classes B, BE and the B96 authorisation, 25 minutes for classes A1 and A2, and 45 minutes for the remaining licence classes, unless the tests are interrupted or suspended. The total time computed for the tests is 30 minutes for classes B, BE and the B96 authorisation, 35 minutes for classes A1 and A2, and 50 minutes for all other tests. That time includes receiving the candidate, preparing the vehicle, its technical road-safety check, any special manoeuvres and communicating the test result. The on-road skills and behaviour tests run on both urban and inter-urban roads presenting at least 80% of the incidents that can occur in traffic.

The DGT publishes this table in Spanish only. DGT fault table, code by code (Spanish)

Source: Criterios de calificación — Subdirección Adjunta de Formación Vial (DGT), marzo 2026.

Eliminatory faults — automatic fail

A single eliminatory fault is enough to be declared NO APTO, and the DGT table lists 53 behaviours scored (E) across its 87 codes. There is no separate list to memorise: each code carries its (E), (D) and (L) columns side by side, so the behaviour and the level it is logged at are read off the same row. Shortcuts to four of those codes:

Typical mistakes you can avoid

Lack of mirror observation: probably the most common fail cause. The simple rule — rear-view mirror + side mirror + indicator, in that order, before any movement — is easy to say, hard to execute under pressure. Practise that sequence every lesson until it's automatic: the examiner notices it by your head position, not by anything you say.

Inappropriate speed: either too fast or too slow. For vertical signs (11.4) the excess is banded: more than 10 and up to 20 km/h over the limit is minor, more than 20 and up to 30 is deficient, and more than 30 is eliminatory. On the slow side, impeding traffic is a deficient fault. The correct speed is the traffic flow's, without exceeding the limit; in school zones and tight turns, lower explicitly — the examiner values seeing you adapt.

Badly executed parking: parallel parking is the most fail-heavy manoeuvre. The official technique: stop parallel to the front car at 1 m, reverse with the wheel fully turned toward the curb, when the car is at 45° counter-steer, align and pull forward to centre. Practise this sequence with the exam's actual car 5–10 times before the sitting.

Lack of anticipation: braking suddenly because you missed a yield sign, reaching a crossing without releasing the throttle, not accounting for a blind spot before a pedestrian. Anticipation is trainable: while driving, verbalise aloud what you see at 50 m distance ("red light at 100 m, I'm going to ease off and check the mirror"). It builds the look-far-ahead reflex.

Exam-day tips

Sleep 8 hours. Sounds obvious, but fatigue slows mirror observation and the look-before-acting reflex — the most sensitive points of the exam.
Arrive 30 minutes early. The school typically requests it and nerves drop a lot with buffer time.
Adjust mirrors and seat calmly. The examiner isn't in a rush before starting. Take 1–2 minutes.
Speak up when in doubt. If you don't understand an instruction, ask. The examiner prefers a question to a wrong guess.
If you make a small mistake, don't freeze. An isolated minor fault doesn't fail you — that takes ten, or five if you already carry a deficient one. Stay focused.
Look far. Eyes on the next crossing or next traffic light give you reaction time. Looking only at what's immediate is the most common cause of sudden braking.
Talk with your instructor 24 hours before to review the likely route and the manoeuvres the centre tends to request.

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FAQ on the practical exam

What does fault 13.1.5 mean in the DGT practical exam?: Fault 13.1.5 is «Relaciones de marcha» (gear selection), in group 13 «Manejo de mandos» (control handling) of the DGT fault table. It is scored as a minor fault (L) to not use the gear appropriate to the vehicle's speed or to the traffic and road conditions, to shift to neutral before stopping instead of using engine braking, and for each stall caused by not selecting the right gear — the document states that one (L) is recorded per stall. Not using the right gear on long descents so the engine brakes is scored (D) or (L) depending on speed, gradient, vehicle weight and brake abuse for heavy vehicles, and (L) for all other vehicles. Picking the wrong gear is not penalised if the candidate corrects it promptly.
What is DGT fault 11.4?: Fault 11.4 is «Señales verticales» (vertical signs), in group 11 «Obediencia de las señales» (obeying signage). It is an eliminatory fault (E) to disobey priority signs (give way, stop — alone or combined with a flashing amber light — and priority to oncoming traffic), no-entry and restricted-access signs, other prohibition or restriction signs and mandatory signs, as well as exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 30 km/h. It is a deficient fault (D) to exceed the limit by more than 20 and up to 30 km/h, to fail to use your priority and obstruct others, or to obstruct pedestrians in coexistence zones, residential streets or Zona 30 areas. It is a minor fault (L) to exceed the limit by more than 10 and up to 20 km/h, or to miss the direction indicated because you did not properly observe an orientation sign.
How many minor faults fail the practical exam?: Ten. The DGT's «Criterios de calificación» scale does not leave the number to the examiner's judgement: you are declared NO APTO with one ELIMINATORY fault, with two DEFICIENT faults, with one DEFICIENT fault plus five MINOR faults, or with ten MINOR faults. So a single eliminatory fault fails on its own, two deficient faults also fail, and minor faults fail from ten (or from five if you already carry a deficient one).
What is an eliminatory fault in the practical exam?: An eliminatory fault (E) is any behaviour or breach of the rules that endangers your own safety or that of other road users, and in general any breach of traffic signage classified as a serious or very serious offence under the Spanish Traffic Law. A single eliminatory fault is enough to be declared NO APTO. The DGT fault table lists 53 eliminatory behaviours across the 87 codes of the document's 14 groups.
How long does the B-licence practical exam last?: The minimum driving time on roads open to general traffic is 25 minutes for classes B, BE and the B96 authorisation, and the total computed exam time is 30 minutes. That total includes receiving the candidate, preparing the vehicle, its technical road-safety check, any special manoeuvres and communicating the result. Classes A1 and A2 also get 25 minutes of driving and 35 minutes total; all other classes get 45 and 50. The examiner gives instructions from the back seat and a driving-school instructor occupies the passenger seat, in a dual-control car provided by the school.
What is the DGT practical-exam pass rate?: The first-attempt pass rate for the B-licence practical is around 55 % according to DGT data, vs 65 % for the theory. About half of candidates fail the first attempt. The gap with the theory reflects pressure, examiner sensitivity and a set of real skills (coordination, observation) that simulations can't fully replicate.
What exactly does the examiner evaluate?: Three blocks: (1) basic vehicle-control manoeuvres (starting, stopping, reversing, lane changes), (2) circulation on urban and inter-urban roads (signage and traffic-light compliance, priority, appropriate speed, safe distance), and (3) safe and efficient driving (mirror use, indicators, prior observation, anticipation). Each error is logged under its code in the DGT fault table and scored at one of the document's three levels: minor (L), deficient (D) or eliminatory (E).
What manoeuvres can I be asked?: The examiner can ask up to two specific manoeuvres during the test. The most common: parallel parking, perpendicular parking, diagonal parking, straight reversing more than 30 metres, 3-point turn and hill start. Manoeuvres are evaluated by the final result (is the car well placed?) and technique (did you use mirrors? did you signal?).
When is the best time to book the practical?: When you've had at least 3–4 consecutive lessons without the instructor having to intervene with the dual control or give critical instructions. If each lesson still needs reminders about observation, signalling or speed, you're not ready. The pass rate climbs significantly when the candidate has 20+ practical lessons — the exact number matters less than the real sense of control at the wheel.
What happens if I fail the practical?: The tasa 2.1 fee you paid at the start grants two exam sittings: after a first fail you can sit again without paying more, and after two fails a new full fee (€94.05) is due. The school typically recommends 3–5 extra lessons before the next sitting; in practice the new date depends on your traffic office's availability. The examiner can be the same or different, which doesn't influence the result.
Can I take the practical independently (sin autoescuela)?: Theoretically yes, but almost nobody does in practice. You need a dual-control vehicle (mandatory for the exam) and a certified instructor in the passenger seat. Getting both without a driving school is very hard and expensive: renting a dual-control car for the exam and hiring an independent instructor costs more than a school package. So almost everyone ends up using a school even after preparing the theory independently.
What documents do I need on exam day?: Original DNI or NIE (no photocopy), proof of payment of the DGT fee and, if the examiner asks, proof of the medical certificate. The school usually handles administrative paperwork but it's worth confirming the day before. You can't bring a phone or smartwatch during the exam — leave them in the glove compartment or at the school.
When do I get the result?: In most cases at the end of the exam, immediately. The examiner usually tells you the result on returning to the starting point, with a brief explanation of strengths and weaknesses. If you pass you receive a provisional licence the same day and can start driving immediately; the physical card arrives by post in 2–4 weeks.

DGT B-licence practical driving exam