Publication of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – January 2023’

Date published: 17 February 2023

The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – January 2023’ report, containing statistics up to January 2023, is now available.

Statistical press release

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:

The key points in the report are:

Vehicle Testing

In January 2023, the DVA conducted 87,065 full vehicle tests, the highest January figure on record. This figure is 27% (18,295) above the five-year January average (68,770).

Private cars accounted for 83% (72,642) of all full vehicle tests conducted in January 2023.

The DVA received 109,172 applications for a full vehicle test during January 2023. 

Driving Practical Testing

The DVA conducted 5,159 driving tests in January 2023. This figure is 28% (1,141) higher than the five-year January average (4,018).

Private cars accounted for 84% (4,336) of all driving tests conducted in January 2023.

In January 2023, the DVA received 6,095 applications for a driving test.

Driver Theory Testing

The DVA conducted 5,864 theory tests in January 2023, 41% higher than the five-year January average (4,171).

Private cars accounted for 85% (4,962) of all theory tests conducted in January 2023.

The DVA received 9,615 applications for a theory test during January 2023.

Notes to editors: 

  1. This is the twenty-ninth edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, to January 2023. 
  2. The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during January 2023, together with trend series over the previous seven 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.
  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 – January 2023’ 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 two 2022-23 was released on 25 January 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

For further information, please contact:

  1. DVA Statistics Branch,
    Driver and Vehicle Agency,
    Annex 4,
    Belfast Test Centre,
    66 Balmoral Road,
    Belfast,
    BT12 6QL
  1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.ukThe 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.
  2. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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