Publication of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics - May 2022
Date published:
The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – May 2022’ report, containing statistics up to May 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:
Key Points
The key points in the report are:
Driving Practical Testing
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.
In May 2022, the DVA received 7,156 applications for a driving test.
The DVA conducted 6,510 driving tests in May 2022, which is significantly above the five year May average (4,167).
Private cars accounted for 82% (5,326) of all driving tests conducted in May 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 including 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 110,670 applications for a full vehicle test during May 2022.
In May 2022, the DVA conducted 84,103 full vehicle tests, 43% (25,277) above the five year May average (58,826).
Private Cars accounted for just over 81% (68,475) of all full tests conducted in May 2022.
Driver Theory Testing
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 tests conducted figures are provisional.
The DVA received 8,057 applications for a theory test during May 2022.
The DVA conducted 6,950 theory tests in May 2022, 23% higher than the five year May average (5,652).
Private cars accounted for 85% (5,929) of all theory tests conducted in May 2022.
Notes to editors:
- This is the twenty-first edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, to May 2022.
- The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during May 2022, together with trend series over the previous seven financial years.
- 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.
- ‘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 – May 2022’ can be downloaded from our website at:
- 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 2021-22 was released on 25 May and is available on our website at:
- 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:
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: Driver and Vehicle Agency Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics
- 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.
- Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.