The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics - July 2021’ report, containing statistics up to July 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:
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 continue prior to this period. The DVA driver testing booking system opened to all customers in the first week of May 2021.
During July, the DVA conducted 5,523 driving tests. This is just below 1,100 fewer tests compared with June (6,619), and 53% (1,913) above the five year July average (3,610). It is also the highest number of driving tests conducted for the month of July since the beginning of our published series in April 2014.
Private cars accounted for 79% (4,336) of all driving tests conducted in July.
In July 2021, the DVA received 6,789 applications for a driving test appointment. This is just over 1,300 (24%) higher than for June (5,463), and 68% (2,737) above the five year July average (4,052).
Driver Theory Tests
Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, theory testing was able to resume from 23 April 2021 onwards.
During July 2021, the DVA conducted 10,134 theory tests, the second highest number recorded for a single month in our series, and 74% above the five year July average (5,822).
Private cars account for 89% (9,008) of all theory tests conducted in July (9,008).
In July, the DVA received 7,854 applications for a theory test appointment, which is almost 4% (276) above the five year average for July (7,578).
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 July 2021, the DVA conducted 42,261 full vehicle tests, 5% (2,436) fewer compared with June (44,697) and 72% of the five year July average (58,973). Since 2014, full tests conducted in July have always been lower than for June.
Private Cars accounted for almost 78% (32,960) of all full tests conducted in July.
The DVA received 57,393 applications for a full vehicle test, just over 5,300 (10%) more than for June (52,086).
Notes to editors:
- This is the eleventh edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, relating to data up to July 2021. The release is written, and issued by, the DVA Statistics Branch in the Department for Infrastructure.
- The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during July 2021, together with trend series over the previous five financial years.
- We source vehicle and driver data from administrative data sources within the DVA, whilst Pearson VUE supply the theory data.
- ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’ is published every month at pre-announced release dates, which are available from the GOV.UK website.
- Electronic copies of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – July 2021’ can be downloaded from our website at: DVA Monthly Conducted Statistics
- A detailed User Guidance document is also available on our website.
- 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
- 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:
DVA Statistics Branch, Driver and Vehicle Agency, Annex 4, Belfast Test Centre, 66 Balmoral Road, Belfast, BT12 6QL
Tel (public enquiries): 02890 547911 (Text relay prefix 18001)
E-mail: DVA.Statistics@nisra.gov.uk
Website: DVA Monthly Conducted Statistics - All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
- 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.