Publication of DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – May 2021

The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – May 2021’ report, containing statistics up to May 2021, is now available.

The publication is produced by the DVA Statistics Branch of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), and contains summary volumes on the vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted by the DfI’s Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). 

The publication is available on the DfI website at:

• Driver and Vehicle Agency Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics

Key Points

The key points in the report are:

Vehicle Testing

Following the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the DVA suspended all vehicle testing from 24 March 2020, and resumed testing in stages during June (IVA), July (priority groups incl. taxis and buses), and September (four-year-old private cars and motorcycles, three-year-old light goods, and all heavy goods).  The DVA was able to continue testing throughout the winter-2020 lockdown, albeit with a reduced capacity due to social distancing measures.  Temporary Exemption Certificates (TEC) were issued to those eligible vehicles that the DVA was unable to test.

In May 2021, the DVA conducted over 48,300 full tests, 655 more compared with April and 76% of the five year May average (63,704). Private Cars accounted for 80% of all full tests conducted in May (38,849).

Driving Practical Tests

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, driver testing was able to resume from 23 April 2021 onwards.  Due to the nature of particular tests, off-road Motorcycle and certain LGV tests had been able continue prior to this period. The DVA driver testing booking system opened to all customers in the first week of May 2021.

For the month of May, the DVA received over 15,300 applications for a driving test appointment. This level of applications is the highest ever recorded for a single month. It is also more than three times the five year average for the month of May (4,385) and just over double the previous monthly record high for October 2020 (7,597). 

The DVA conducted almost 5,500 driving tests in May. This is 35% higher than the five year May average (4,068), and the highest number of driving tests conducted for a single month since June 2016 (5,680). Private cars accounted for 85% of all driving tests conducted in May (4,661).

Driver Theory Tests

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, theory testing was able to resume from 23 April 2021 onwards.

In May 2021, the DVA conducted 10,058 theory tests, the highest number recorded in our series for a single month, and over double that for the five year May average (4,851). Private cars account for 85% of all theory tests conducted during May (8,582).

For the month of May, the DVA received just over 11,000 applications for a theory test appointment. This level of applications is the highest ever recorded for a single month. It is also double the five year average for the month of May (5,766) and 27% higher than the previous monthly record high for July 2020 (8,729).

Notes to editors: 

Background to ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’

1. This is the ninth edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, relating to data up to May 2021.  The release is written, and issued by, the DVA Statistics Branch in the Department for Infrastructure. 
2. The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during May 2021, together with trend series over the previous five financial years. 
3. We source vehicle and driver data from administrative data sources within the DVA, whilst Pearson VUE supply the theory data.
4. ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’ is published every month at pre-announced release dates, which are available from the GOV.UK website.
5. Electronic copies of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – May 2021’ can be downloaded from our website at: Driver and Vehicle Agency Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics
6. A detailed User Guidance document is also available on our website.
7. This report supplements the existing quarterly National Statistics publication ‘DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator, and Enforcement Statistics’.  The latest edition of this for quarter four 2020-21 was released on 26 May 2021 and is available on our website at: Driver & Vehicle Agency Activity Statistics
8. This is an Official Statistics publication and therefore follows the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.  You can find further information about the Code of Practice at: Statistics Authority
9. For further information, please contact:

• Tel (public enquiries):  028 9054 7911 (Text relay prefix 18001)
• E-mail:  DVA.Statistics@nisra.gov.uk
• Website:  Driver and Vehicle Agency Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics

10. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
11. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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