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

The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – September 2023’ report, containing statistics up to September 2023, 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:

• DVA Monthly Tests - Conducted Statistics

Key Points

Please note that DVA services were impacted by industrial strike action on 22 September 2023, so testing volumes statistics for September are lower than would have been the case had this been a routine working day.   

Vehicle Testing

In September 2023, the DVA conducted 83,244 full vehicle tests, which is 32% (19,950) above the five-year September average (63,294).

The DVA has delivered 481,899 full vehicle tests and 80,343 retests, totalling 562,242 vehicle tests in this financial year to date.

Private cars accounted for 82% (68,386) of all full vehicle tests conducted this month.

The DVA received 97,210 applications for a full vehicle test during September 2023. 

Driving Practical Testing

The DVA conducted 5,441 driver tests in September 2023, 9% (448) above the five-year September average (4,993).

The DVA has delivered 31,696 driver tests in this financial year to date.

Private cars accounted for just over 8 in every 10 (4,429; 81%) driver tests conducted this month.

The DVA received 6,576 applications for a driving test in September 2023.

Driver Theory Testing

During September 2023 the DVA conducted 7,682 theory tests, just over 35% (2,001) above the five-year September average (5,681).

The DVA has delivered 46,189 theory tests in this financial year to date.

Private cars accounted for almost 9 in every 10 (6,717; 87%) theory tests conducted this month.

In September 2023, the DVA received 9,283 applications for a theory test.

Notes to editors: 

1. This is the thirty-seventh edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, to September 2023. 
2. The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during September 2023, together with trend series over the previous nine 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 – September 2023’ can be downloaded from our website at: DVA 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 one 2023-24 is available on our website at: DVA 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

• Tel (public enquiries):  02890 547911 (Text relay prefix 18001)
• E-mail:  DVA.Statistics@nisra.gov.uk
• Website: DVA Monthly Tests - Conducted Statistics

9. 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.
10. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra, on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at Department for Infrastructure.

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