Publication of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – November 2020’

Date published: 15 December 2020

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). As a new addition this month, we have also included tables on the numbers of applications received. 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 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). Temporary Exemption Certificates (TEC) were issued to those eligible vehicles that the DVA was unable to test.

In November 2020, the DVA conducted over 22,600 full vehicle tests, an increase of 1,900 compared to October, although only 31% of the 5-year November average prior to the pandemic. So far in 2020, the DVA has conducted approximately 196,000 full vehicle tests, which is 22% of the equivalent total in 2019 (905,000 tests).

Driving Practical Tests

Similarly, all driver testing was suspended from 20 March 2020, and resumed in stages throughout the summer, whilst the internet booking system re-opened to all customers on 5 October. As a result of further restrictions in the autumn, all driving tests scheduled between 17 October and 20th November and also between 27 November and 10 December were cancelled.

In November 2020, the DVA conducted approximately 1,270 driving tests, a decrease of 1,070 compared to October. This is 24% of the 5-year November average prior to the pandemic, albeit over a shorter period due to the cessation of testing. So far in 2020, the DVA has conducted over 19,300 driving tests, which is 36% of the equivalent total in 2019 (53,300 tests).

Driver Theory Tests

The DVA suspended all theory testing from 20 March 2020, and resumed on 6 July.

During November 2020, the DVA conducted nearly 6,100 theory tests, a decrease of 11% compared to October, and 95% of the 5-year November average prior to the pandemic. So far in 2020, the DVA has conducted approximately 42,600 theory tests, which is 63% of the equivalent total in 2019 (over 67,100 tests).