This report reflects the key discussions which took place between DVSA and the National Associations Strategic Partnership at the most recent joint meeting on 4th February 2025. The report also reflects follow-up discussions held by NASP privately and the overall viewpoints held by NASP on the key issues under discussion in both meetings.
Present for DVSA: Kim Hughes,John Selbey, Darren Russell, Colin Stewart, Nick Taylor, Abigail Holland, Amanda Lane, Lianne Parkinson, David Mann, Rob Kempster
Present for NASP: Lynne Barrie, Peter Harvey, Carly Brookfield, Stewart Lochrie, Sara Everett-Skinner, Sue Duncan (note taker)
Key Highlights
Action Log
An action log, ordinarily detailing key actions agreed between NASP and DVSA (which fall out of these regular meetings) was discussed.
However, on reviewing this latest action log, it is NASP’s view that many of the items on the current log do not necessarily reflect the issues that the training industry is most concerned the agency take action on (nor are such items ones that NASP has specifically sought action on).
NASP’s concern is that the log reflects specific actions which have been agreed in discussions between the two parties, and does not become just a vehicle for DVSA to communicate updates on more generally (which in NASP’s opinion should be done outside of this action log).
Therefore, NASP will review the current action log and advise on the set of actions that they would like the agency to focus on, and which are more reflective of the concerns of driver and rider trainers.
Waiting times update
With waiting times nationally standing at 20.8 weeks (as of end of January 2025) it is clear that the concerning issue of test waiting times is ongoing, and is arguably worsening.
NASP expressed their concern at this further deterioration in performance and queried how quickly the 7-point plan could be implemented, given that this plan has been specifically launched to tackle test waiting times issues (see below for further discussion of the 7-point plan)
The agency admitted this is not where they want to be, and that test availability currently is worse than 2024 levels
Currently there are 576,453 tests booked and 141 Test centres (over a third of test centres in the UK) have waiting times of 24 weeks or more
Examiner Recruitment
A core element of tackling waiting times is clearly Examiner Recruitment.
The ongoing recruitment drive aims to recruit 450 new Examiners.
The latest two campaigns have resulted in just under 400 offers
However, these recruitment gains are offset against attrition, with the agency losing around 10 percent of its Examiner workforce a year in general (12 to 13 Examiners a month).
There has also been attrition in the training process with the agency losing new recruits before training is completed and they can be deployed.
Taking this attrition into account, net new Examiner recruitment overall will look more like 300 new recruits verses the target of 450
DVSA highlighted the lengthy training process as one contributory factor in the loss of new recruits and the agency is looking at expediting the training process to mitigate this risk – something which NASP has also previously recommended the agency considers
A theory test has been introduced for the last cohort of applicants, designed to weed out candidates who may not be able to meet the high standards expected of Examiners and who may not have the capacity to develop the technical knowledge to perform the role.
While the primary focus of recruitment has been on the South, it is important to note that due to limitations in the number of new entrant examiners that can be assigned to any test centre at one time, DVSA will be conducting recruitment efforts across Great Britain
NASP queried how many Examiners are actually needed to get waiting times down to an acceptable time? DVSA responded that recruiting 300 new Examiners would make for a 1800 strong workforce, which would help the agency to bring waiting down to 7 weeks.
NASP again raised the issue that Examiner pay was not sufficiently attractive to aid recruitment and queried whether there had been any further discussion about improving pay? This was also a question raised at the Transport Select Committee on testing in December.
DVSA is currently waiting on the results of the Call for Evidence on testing, and stated that the results of this can’t be pre-empted.
DVSA 7 Point Plan to tackle test waiting times
NASP raised the issue that only one element of DVSA’s 7 Point Plan to tackle testing had been actioned thus far and queried what the plan was for implementation of the rest?
It was also stated that NASP’s overall view was that without pace (of implementation), the plan would just look like a PR stunt.
NASP asked that DVSA provide timelines for each action in the plan
New test slot releases
NASP raised a query over the timing of the release of new test slots as some members had fedback that, in their experience, test slots were not always being released at 6am on a Monday as previously advised.
DVSA explained that they do not release everything 24 weeks out and leave contingency slots to allow for staff leave etc, highlighting that sometimes the Deployment team will release slots as more testing resource becomes available and that these slots will be released throughout the week. However, the overall the release pattern has not changed.
Lessons from Ready2Pass Campaign
Evaluation of the impact of the campaign continues, including research to measure the effectiveness of interventions with parents
Work is ongoing to improve campaign content with better use of digital assets such as video etc
DVSA is working more widely with DfT, other partners and road safety influencers to promote the campaign. They will also be hosting events and webinars for learners and parents and developing a guide to coaching for ADIs
NASP raised the issue that, as good as the content and messaging of any such campaign is, DVSA still has relatively poor reach in the communications channels you would expect their key audiences to be engaged in. For example, the agency has less than 5% of their total user audience as followers on social media and core websites such as Safe Driving for Life do not seem to have gained the traction one would expect for the main government agency delivering driver services.
NASP suggested more work could be put into growing reach in the core communications channels so campaigns would have more impact, as well as asking DVLA to play a bigger role in such communications with learners and new drivers as they are a key gatekeeper to these audiences
DVSA is collaborating with Government Digital Services who will be sharing Ready 2 Pass? messaging on their social media channels to gain further reach
Driver policy update
A recent DVSA campaign to check MOTs on cars presenting for test has been useful.
Cars without MOTs not as high as predicted. 40-60 a day at beginning of campaign, now 20 a day, dropped quickly.
However, some of those cars presenting for test without a current MOT were ADI cars which is concerning
Regarding ADI sitting in on driving tests, the agency will shortly be sending some communications surrounding dos and don’ts to help pupils, trainers and Examiners to get the best out of the experience
ADI qualification journey
DVSA has been reviewing the end-to-end ADI qualification process to identify where improvements can be made to better help PDIs understand the skills needed to become an ADIThe Part One theory test is about to undergo an accessibility refresh, with updated content reflecting driver education requirements. Publications such as the National Standards and ADI code of conduct will become theory test source material.
A Part 2 workshop will be held soon to consult with wider industry and explore options for improvements to the Part 2 test
NASP repeated an offer (which was originally proposed by NASP in an ADI Qualification workshop in 2023, and subsequently in more recent discussions concerning the better preparation of applicants for PDI training) to produce a pre-application course and theory quiz to help PDIs better prepare for the training journey and understand whether the profession was for them. It is the view of NASP that a collaboration between the official industry steering group and the agency would be a good initiative to help support new entrants and provide applicants with more independent and objective guidance on training options, than that which is provided by ADI training organisations.
ADI services update
Demand for trainee licences remains high but now steady at 1500 applications to per month.
42,000 ADIs currently on Register
ADI test resourcing is slowly returning to ‘normal’ levels as ADI Examiners no longer doing L tests and are able to focus on Parts 2&3 and Standards Check only and new ADI Examiner’s recruited and deployed. Recruiting more ADI Examiners by upskilling frontline staff.
Part 2 and 3 availability improving
DVSA asked NASP to circulate message that when people go on hold, there is an option to put preferred dates and that candidates should use that and the agency will do their best to accommodate those preferences. This should mean fewer cancellations.
It was reported that the pass rate for Part 2 currently stands at 52.9%, and 29.7% for Part 3. There have been 10,000 Part 3 tests since April.
NASP asked if there would be any consideration on extending cancellation time from 3 to 10 days to lose fewer tests? DVSA responded that they had no plans to introduce this at the moment
NASP also queried whether any priority could be given allowing those nearing the two-year deadline on their trainee licence to access test slots earlier? DVSA responded that already happens as staff include look at expiry dates for licences and ensure those candidates can access test dates
Regarding third licence applications, DVSA look at where people have been offered test dates but also consider where the candidate themselves have cancelled a number of times, as this will have a bearing on the Registrar’s decision to consider a third licence
PDIs advertising their services
DVSA shared with NASP some proposed content for Gov.uk which clarifies the position on PDI advertising, which is that you can only give instruction from the name and address on your trainee licence, and that you cannot work independently (such as by setting up your own school).
The advice to be published will highlight thatwhen PDIs advertise their services they:
must state which training establishment they work
only give the training establishment’s contact details – the PDI cannot give their personal contact details
should describe themselves as a ‘trainee driving instructor‘ – as the term ‘potential driving instructor’ or PDI are not widely understood by public
and that, additionally, the training establishment must follow same rules when they advertise on the PDI’s behalf
NASP expressed their concern at this further deterioration in performance and queried how quickly the 7-point plan could be implemented, given that this plan has been specifically launched to tackle test waiting times issues (see below for further discussion of the 7-point plan)
The agency admitted this is not where they want to be, and that test availability currently is worse than 2024 levels
Currently there are 576,453 tests booked and 141 Test centres (over a third of test centres in the UK) have waiting times of 24 weeks or more
Examiner Recruitment
A core element of tackling waiting times is clearly Examiner Recruitment.
The ongoing recruitment drive aims to recruit 450 new Examiners.
The latest two campaigns have resulted in just under 400 offers
However, these recruitment gains are offset against attrition, with the agency losing up to a third of its Examiner workforce a year in general (12 to 13 Examiners a month).
There has also been attrition in the training process with the agency losing new recruits before training is completed and they can be deployed.
Taking this attrition into account, net new Examiner recruitment overall will look more like 300 new recruits verses the target of 450
DVSA highlighted the lengthy training process as one contributory factor in the loss of new recruits and the agency is looking at expediting the training process to mitigate this risk – something which NASP has also previously recommended the agency considers
A theory test has been introduced for the last cohort of applicants, designed to weed out candidates who may not be able to meet the high standards expected of Examiners and who may not have the capacity to develop the technical knowledge to perform the role.
While the primary focus of recruitment has been on the South, it is important to note that due to limitations in the number of new entrant examiners that can be assigned to any test centre at one time, DVSA will be conducting recruitment efforts across Great Britain
NASP queried how many Examiners are actually needed to get waiting times down to an acceptable time? DVSA responded that recruiting 300 new Examiners would make for a 1800 strong workforce, which would help the agency to bring waiting down to 7 weeks.
NASP again raised the issue that Examiner pay was not sufficiently attractive to aid recruitment and queried whether there had been any further discussion about improving pay? This was also a question raised at the Transport Select Committee on testing in December.
DVSA is currently waiting on the results of the Call for Evidence on testing, and stated that the results of this can’t be pre-empted.
DVSA 7 Point Plan to tackle test waiting times
NASP raised the issue that only one element of DVSA’s 7 Point Plan to tackle testing had been actioned thus far and queried what the plan was for implementation of the rest?
It was also stated that NASP’s overall view was that without pace (of implementation), the plan would just look like a PR stunt.
NASP asked that DVSA provide timelines for each action in the plan
New test slot releases
NASP raised a query over the timing of the release of new test slots as some members had fedback that, in their experience, test slots were not always being released at 6am on a Monday as previously advised.
DVSA explained that they do not release everything 24 weeks out and leave contingency slots to allow for staff leave etc, highlighting that sometimes the Deployment team will release slots as more testing resource becomes available and that these slots will be released throughout the week. However, the overall the release pattern has not changed.
Lessons from Ready2Pass Campaign
Evaluation of the impact of the campaign continues, including research to measure the effectiveness of interventions with parents
Work is ongoing to improve campaign content with better use of digital assets such as video etc
DVSA is working more widely with DfT, other partners and road safety influencers to promote the campaign. They will also be hosting events and webinars for learners and parents and developing a guide to coaching for ADIs
NASP raised the issue that, as good as the content and messaging of any such campaign is, DVSA still has relatively poor reach in the communications channels you would expect their key audiences to be engaged in. For example, the agency has less than 5% of their total user audience as followers on social media and core websites such as Safe Driving for Life do not seem to have gained the traction one would expect for the main government agency delivering driver services.
NASP suggested more work could be put into growing reach in the core communications channels so campaigns would have more impact, as well as asking DVLA to play a bigger role in such communications with learners and new drivers as they are a key gatekeeper to these audiences
DVSA is collaborating with Government Digital Services who will be sharing Ready 2 Pass? messaging on their social media channels to gain further reach
Driver policy update
A recent DVSA campaign to check MOTs on cars presenting for test has been useful.
Cars without MOTs not as high as predicted. 40-60 a day at beginning of campaign, now 20 a day, dropped quickly.
However, some of those cars presenting for test without a current MOT were ADI cars which is concerning
Regarding ADI sitting in on driving tests, the agency will shortly be sending some communications surrounding dos and don’ts to help pupils, trainers and Examiners to get the best out of the experience
ADI qualification journey
DVSA has been reviewing the end-to-end ADI qualification process to identify where improvements can be made to better help PDIs understand the skills needed to become an ADI. The Part One theory test is about to undergo an accessibility refresh, with updated content reflecting driver education requirements. Publications such as the National Standards and ADI code of conduct will become theory test source material.
A Part 2 workshop will be held soon to consult with wider industry and explore options for improvements to the Part 2 test
NASP repeated an offer (which was originally proposed by NASP in an ADI Qualification workshop in 2023, and subsequently in more recent discussions concerning the better preparation of applicants for PDI training) to produce a pre-application course and theory quiz to help PDIs better prepare for the training journey and understand whether the profession was for them. It is the view of NASP that a collaboration between the official industry steering group and the agency would be a good initiative to help support new entrants and provide applicants with more independent and objective guidance on training options, than that which is provided by ADI training organisations.
ADI services update
Demand for trainee licences remains high but now steady at 1500 applications to per month.
42,000 ADIs currently on Register
ADI test resourcing is slowly returning to ‘normal’ levels as ADI Examiners no longer doing L tests and are able to focus on Parts 2&3 and Standards Check only and new ADI Examiner’s recruited and deployed. Recruiting more ADI Examiners by upskilling frontline staff.
Part 2 and 3 availability improving
DVSA asked NASP to circulate message that when people go on hold, there is an option to put preferred dates and that candidates should use that and the agency will do their best to accommodate those preferences. This should mean fewer cancellations.
It was reported that the pass rate for Part 2 currently stands at 52.9%, and 29.7% for Part 3. There have been 10,000 Part 3 tests since April.
NASP asked if there would be any consideration on extending cancellation time from 3 to 10 days to lose fewer tests? DVSA responded that they had no plans to introduce this at the moment
NASP also queried whether any priority could be given allowing those nearing the two-year deadline on their trainee licence to access test slots earlier? DVSA responded that already happens as staff include look at expiry dates for licences and ensure those candidates can access test dates
Regarding third licence applications, DVSA look at where people have been offered test dates but also consider where the candidate themselves have cancelled a number of times, as this will have a bearing on the Registrar’s decision to consider a third licence
PDIs advertising their services
DVSA shared with NASP some proposed content for Gov.uk which clarifies the position on PDI advertising, which is that you can only give instruction from the name and address on your trainee licence, and that you cannot work independently (such as by setting up your own school).
The advice to be published will highlight thatwhen PDIs advertise their services they:
must state which training establishment they work
only give the training establishment’s contact details – the PDI cannot give their personal contact details
should describe themselves as a ‘trainee driving instructor‘ – as the term ‘potential driving instructor’ or PDI are not widely understood by public
and that, additionally, the training establishment must follow same rules when they advertise on the PDI’s behalf
ORDIT
DVSA conducted an insight exercise amongst ORDIT registered trainers in September. This has had a good response with the majority of respondents feeding back that they wish to continue with the scheme
The agency has received some requests regarding Standards Checks, with potential ORDIT trainers wanting to attempt to get a Grade A in order to apply for ORDIT.
There is a recruitment drive within the team to keep up with demand for ORDIT, and more staff needed to administer the service. There have also been three new recruits.
NASP queried whether DVSA should continue to run ORDIT, and oversee the training of new ADIs, or whether we should look to a model where the industry manages the training process.
At a subsequent NASP only meeting (following the joint meeting with DVSA) NASP colleagues agreed that there is a need to seriously review the who, what, where and how of ADI training and licensing overall as DVSA continues to struggle with delivering its remit in driver testing, the industry continues to question how fit for purpose the current ADI qualification regime is, and given little real progress has been made in the development of the ADI qualification pathway in decades under DVSA’s stewardship (bar the more recent developments detailed above).
Driver Services Platform Development
An update on the development on the new Driver Services Platform was not given at the meeting, but NASP subsequently requested this – below is the update provided
Work to replace the legacy system DVSA uses for managing practical test bookings, administration of the instructor registers and Driver CPC is highly complex. As a Tier 1 project, the proposed expenditure of public money is, rightly, subject to a high level of scrutiny including through DfT, HM Treasury and Cabinet Office. Last year the project gained approval to engage the market via an invitation to tender. This has provided greater information on costs which allowed the project to complete a full business case. The business case has cleared all internal DVSA boards, and the project team will be meeting with DfT on 24 February. If approved by DfT the case will then be forwarded to Treasury and Cabinet Office. Subject to those approvals, the team expect to be able to award a contract to the successful supplier in late spring.
