Publication of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – July 2022’

The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – July 2022’ report, containing statistics up to July 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: DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics

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 July 2022, the DVA received 5,903 applications for a driving test.

The DVA conducted 5,120 driving tests in July 2022, which is 34% higher than the five year July average (3,824).

Private cars accounted for 82% (4,218) of all driving tests conducted in July 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 incl. 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 88,108 applications for a full vehicle test during July 2022. 

In July 2022, the DVA conducted 72,461 full vehicle tests, 36% (19,012) above the five year July average (53,449).

Private Cars accounted for 82% (59,574) of all full tests conducted in July 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 8,434 applications for a theory test during July 2022.

The DVA conducted 6,418 theory tests in July 2022, slightly lower than the five year July average (6,618).

Private cars accounted for 83% (5,316) of all theory tests conducted in July 2022.

Notes to editors: 

1. This is the twenty-third edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, to July 2022.
2. The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during July 2022, together with trend series over the previous seven 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 GOV.UK. 
5. Electronic copies of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – July 2022’ can be downloaded from our website at: DVA Monthly 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 four 2021-22 was released on 25 May and is available on our website at: Driver & Vehicle Agency 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
9. For further information, please contact:DVA Statistics Branch,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:   DVA Monthly Conducted Statistics.
10. 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.
11. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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