Publication of ‘DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator, and Enforcement Statistics Quarter Four: January to March 2026’
Date published:
The ‘DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator, and Enforcement Statistics Quarter Four: January to March 2026’ report, detailing statistics for January to March 2026 is now available.
The report is produced and published by NISRA Statisticians working in the DVA. The report contains summary statistical, performance, and trend information relating to the main business functions of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), and other licensing activity.
The publication is available on the DfI website at:
DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator, and Enforcement Statistics - 2025-26 - Quarter Four
Key Points:
- During 2025/26, the DVA delivered approximately 1.149 million vehicle tests, including 302,727 tests during January to March 2026, representing one of the highest annual totals recorded, and demonstrating sustained high levels of operational delivery across the year.
- Of all vehicle tests conducted during 2025/26, 85.0% (975,736) were full tests and 15.0% (172,807) were retests, reflecting continued strong delivery of core statutory testing services.
- Customer attendance improved notably during January to March 2026, with 10,751 vehicles failing to attend, a 28.0% reduction (4,177 fewer) compared with January to March 2025 (14,928). This contributed to a reduction in the ‘failed to attend’ rate from 4.8% to 3.6% over the same period, reflecting effective customer engagement and improved utilisation of available appointments.
- Demand for vehicle testing remained strong during 2025/26, with 1.23 million applications, an increase of 5.5% (63,886) compared with 2024/25, including 331,517 applications during January to March 2026, while 96.7% (1.19 million) of applications were made online across the year, rising to 97.1% (321,834) in Q4, supporting efficient access to services.
- During 2025/26, the DVA conducted 70,023 driving tests, an increase of 1.9% (1,323) tests compared with 2024/25, representing the second highest annual total on record, with 17,621 tests delivered during January to March 2026.
- Demand remained high during 2025/26, with 78,555 applications, an increase of 8.5% (6,147) compared with 2024/25, including 20,440 applications during January to March 2026, the highest quarterly level in recent years.
- During 2025/26, 2,245 candidates failed to attend a driving test, representing 3.2% of all tests conducted during 2025/26, indicating strong attendance rates and effective management of appointment capacity.
- During 2025/26, the DVA delivered 94,763 theory tests, an increase of 5.5% (4,927) compared with 2024/25, and the highest annual total on record, including 23,800 tests during January to March 2026.
- Demand increased towards the end of 2025/26, with 32,327 applications during January to March 2026, an increase of 12.9% (3,685) compared with January to March 2025, while 13,318 customers failed to attend during 2025/26 (14.1%), in line with recent trends.
- During 2025/26, driver licensing services continued to perform strongly, with 99.7% of online applications processed within target times (target 95%) and 99.6% of paper applications within target (target 90%), while 77.3% of all transactions were completed online, supporting efficient and accessible service delivery.
- During 2025/26, there were 1,203,596 full and eligible licence holders for cars and light vans, reflecting the scale of the customer base served and underpinning continued demand for DVA services.
During 2025/26, DVA compliance and enforcement teams carried out 1,573 roadside enforcement checks, issued 853 fixed penalty notices totalling £124,200, secured 110 convictions, and participated in 97 joint operations with the PSNI, highlighting the scale of enforcement activity and an effective, intelligence-led approach to compliance, supporting engagement with regulatory requirements and promoting safer road use across Northern Ireland.
Notes to editors:
- This is the forty-sixth edition of the quarterly report ‘DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator, and Enforcement Statistics’, relating to January to March 2026.
- The release covers the main DVA business areas: vehicle testing, theory testing, driver testing, driver licensing, road transport and taxi licensing, enforcement, goods operator licensing and advanced driving and motorcycle instructors.
- The most recent vehicle licensing statistics covered in the report are for October to December 2025.
- We derive the majority of statistics from administrative data sources held within the DVA, the DfI’s Transport Regulation Unit, and the Department for Transport.
- The report is written and issued by NISRA statisticians posted to the DVA.
- ‘DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator and Enforcement Statistics’ is published every quarter at pre-announced release dates, which are available from the GOV.UK website.
- Electronic copies of the ‘DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator, and Enforcement Statistics 2025-26 Quarter Four’ can be downloaded from our website.
- A detailed User Guidance document is also available on our website.
- This is an Official Statistics report and therefore follows the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. You can find further information about the Code on the Statistics Authority’s website.
- For further information, please contact: DVA Statistics, Driver and Vehicle Agency, Hydebank House, 4a Hospital Road, Ballydollaghan, Belfast,BT8 8JL
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 - All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office.
- 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.
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