Publication of 'DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – October 2020’

The new ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – October 2020’ report, containing statistics up to October 2020, 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).  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, meaning no tests were conducted during April and May.  The DVA resumed IVA testing on 1 June, and further additional categories during July and September.  Temporary Exemption Certificates (TEC) were issued to those eligible vehicles that the DVA was unable to test.

In October 2020, the DVA conducted over 20,700 full vehicle tests, an increase of 8,000 compared to September, although only 28% of the 5-year October average prior to the pandemic.  So far in 2020, the DVA has conducted just under 174,000 full vehicle tests, which is 21% of the equivalent total in 2019 (826,000 tests).

Driving Practical Tests

Similarly, all driver testing was suspended from 20 March, and so no driving tests were conducted between April and June.  Motorcycle testing resumed on 6 July, whilst tests for drivers of buses and tractors commenced on 20 July.  Car and lorry testing resumed on 1 September, initially for key workers and those with a previously cancelled test.  The internet booking system re-opened to all customers on 5 October.  As a result of new restrictions in the autumn, all driving tests scheduled between 17 October and 13 November have been cancelled.

In October 2020, the DVA conducted approximately 2,340 driving tests, a decrease of 480 compared to September.  This is 44% of the 5-year October average prior to the pandemic, albeit over a shorter period due to the cessation of testing.  So far in 2020, the DVA has conducted just over 18,000 driving tests, which is 37% of the equivalent total in 2019 (47,900 tests).

Driver Theory Tests

The DVA suspended all theory testing from 20 March, and only resumed on 6 July.  During May and June only a handful of ‘key-worker’ tests were conducted.

During October 2020, the DVA conducted just over 6,780 theory tests, an increase of 16.7% compared to September, and 106% of the 5-year October average prior to the pandemic.  So far in 2020, the DVA has conducted approximately 36,600 theory tests, which is 60% of the equivalent total in 2019 (just under 60,800 tests).

Notes to editors: 

Background to ‘DVA Monthly Statistics’

1. This is the second edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, relating to data to October 2020.  The release is written, and issued by, the DVA Statistics Branch in the Department for Infrastructure. 
2. The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during July, August, and October 2020, together with trend series over the previous five financial years.  As a new addition this month, we have also included tables on the number of applications received.
3. We source vehicle and driver data from administrative data sources within the DVA, whilst Pearson VUE supply the theory data.
4. ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’ will be published every month at pre-announced release dates, which are available from the GOV.UK website.

5. Electronic copies of the ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – October 2020’ 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 quarter two edition of which is scheduled to be published 25 November.

Official 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: Code of Practice for Statistics

Further Information

For further information, please contact:

• Tel (press enquiries):  02890 540007
• 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

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