Publication of "DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics - January 2022

The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – January 2022’ report, containing statistics up to January 2022, 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:

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 to continue prior to this period. The DVA driver testing booking system opened to all customers in the first week of May 2021.

In January 2022, the DVA received 6,738 applications for a driving test appointment, the highest number recorded for any January since 2014. Applications were 1,735 (35%) higher than December 2021 (5,003).

The DVA conducted 5,190 driving tests in January 2022, which is the highest number of tests conducted for any January since 2014.

Private cars accounted for 86% (4,441) of all driving tests conducted in January 2022.

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.

The DVA received 108,183 applications for a full vehicle test in January 2022. Applications were 38% (29,876) higher than December 2021 (78,307) and just over 12% (11,876) above the five year average for January (96,307).

In January 2022, the DVA conducted 76,333 full vehicle tests, almost 12% (7,897) above the five year January average (68,436).

Private Cars accounted for 82% (62,940) of all full tests conducted in January 2022.

Driver Theory Tests

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, theory testing was able to resume from 23 April 2021 onwards. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) took over the contract for theory testing from Pearson on 4 September 2021.

Theory test applications for August 2021 to January 2022 were not validated in time for publication. These will be included in our published series at the earliest opportunity. Theory tests conducted figures are provisional.

The DVA conducted 5,768 theory tests in January 2022, 41% (1,665) above the January five year average (4,103).

Private cars account for 87% (5,028) of all theory tests conducted in January.

Notes to editors: 

1. This is the seventeenth edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, to January 2022. 
2. The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during January 2022, 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 DVSA supply theory-testing data. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) took over the contract for theory testing from Pearson on 4 September 2021. Theory test application statistics for August 2021 to January 2022 were not validated in time for publication. These will be included in our published series at the earliest opportunity.
4. ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’ is published every month at pre-announced release dates, which are available from the GOV.UK website at:

5. Electronic copies of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – January 2022’ 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 one 2021-22 was released on 2 September 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: Statistic Authority
9. For further information, please contact:

• Tel (public enquiries): 02890 547911 (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.
12. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.

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