Publication of ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – October 2021

The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – October 2021’ report, containing statistics up to October 2021, 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:

• Driver and Vehicle Agency Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics

Key Points

The key points in the report are:

Driving Practical Tests

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 October 2021, the DVA received 7,180 applications for a driving test appointment. This is just over 500 (8%) less than in September (6,661), and 23% (1,347) above the five year October average (5,833).

The DVA conducted 5,772 driving tests in October, 669 (10%) fewer compared with September (6,441), and 24% above the five year October average (4,651).

Private cars accounted for 81% (4,678) of all driving tests conducted in October.

Driver Theory Tests

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. With the administrative system in transition, figures for applications for August to October, and tests conducted for October were not validated in time for publication. They will be included in our published series at the earliest opportunity. September theory tests conducted figures are provisional.

The DVA conducted 4,499 theory tests in September 41% (3,141) below that for August (7,640). The transition to a new service provider (DVSA) may help to explain the drop in theory tests conducted for September.

Private cars account for 88% (3,959) of all theory tests conducted in September.

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 95,555 applications for a full vehicle test in October, just over 1,902 (2%) more than September (93,653). This increase in applications is partly due to Test Exemption Certificates issued in March 2021, expiring and requiring owners to present their vehicles for MOT.

In October 2021, the DVA conducted 73,554 full vehicle tests, just over 28% (16,327) higher compared with September (57,227), and 6% above the five year October average (69,531).

Private Cars accounted for 82% (60,180) of all full tests conducted during October.

Notes to editors: 

1. This is the foureenth edition of the publication ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics’, to Octber 2021. 
2. The release presents statistics on vehicle, driver, and theory tests conducted during October 2021, together with trend series over the previous five 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. With the administrative system in transition, some figures for August, September and October were not validated in time for publication but will be included in our published series at the earliest opportunity.
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 – October 2021’ 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 2021-22 was released on 2 September and 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
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:    Driver Vehicle Agency - Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics
10. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.

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