FOI release

DVSA FOI disclosure log, October 2025

Updated 6 February 2026
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Request reference Request status Request summary Date the response was issued
2509-087379 Successful Number of complaints or defect reports received by DVSA since 21 July 2025 regarding front suspension knuckle failures on: Range Rover L405 models (2017 model year onwards) Range Rover Sport L494 models (2017 model year onwards) 01/10/2025
2509-087442 Successful 1. Data showing the total number of overdue MOTs in the last 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024), broken down by local authority area, and if not possible, by region. 2. MOT test pass rates as percentages for the last 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024), broken down by local authority area, and if not possible, by region. 3. Top 10 most common MOT failure reasons recorded in the last 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024)? 02/10/2025
2509-087864 Successful 1. How many requests for special leave with pay have been handled by DVSA in the last 12 months? 2. How many of these requests were denied? 3. For those requests that were granted, what categories of reasons were given eg civil service sports day, looking after a sick relative etc. 07/10/2025
2509-087957 Successful 1. How many times has an individual taken the driving theory test but has still not passed? 2. How many times has an individual taken the driving theory test before passing? 3. How many times has an individual taken the driving theory test before passing in 2024? 4. How many times has an individual taken the driving practical test but has still not passed? 5. How many times has an individual taken the driving practical test before passing? 6. How many times has an individual taken the driving practical test before passing in 2024? 7. How many people have failed their theory test, and practical car test: a. More than 10 times? b. More than 20 times? c. More than 30 times? d. more than 40 times? e. More than 50 times? 09/10/2025
2509-088038 Successful The 10 road signs that are most frequently answered incorrectly by those sitting the car theory test, for the most recent month where data is available. The 10 road signs with the percentage of test takers who incorrectly answered a question related to the road sign. 17/10/2025
2509-088059 Successful Requesting updated figures of 2506-078384 - case is related to the number of complaints or defect reports received regarding front suspension knuckle failures on: • Range Rover L405 models (2017 model year onwards) • Range Rover Sport L494 models (2017 model year onwards) 10/10/2025
2509-088328 Successful In regards to rates of pay relating to those working within driver services at DVSA. Please provide details of all additional payments (in addition to basic salary) currently available to those working within driver services at DVSA. In addition to the amounts payable, please also include any qualifying criteria for the payments. 10/10/2025
2509-088365 Successful In a previous FoI response [ref: IA/00150/12] you provided details on the number of serious and dangerous faults observed on car tests broken down by male and female candidates for 2010 and 2011. 10/10/2025
2509-088508 Successful 1.The number of learners who took their driving tests at the Darlington test centre from September 1, 2024 to September 1, 2025. 2.The first two letters of the postcode for each learner who took their driving test at the Darlington test centre during this period. 07/10/2025
2509-088543 Successful How many VW polo's between 10 and 12 yrs old have failed the MOT due to corrosion please. 17/10/2025
2509-088838 Successful 1. Total attended: Between 1 Sep 2022-1 Sep 23, 1 Sep 2023-1 Sep 24 and 1 Sep 2024-1 Sep 25 what was the total number of people who attended Blyth, Carlisle, Gateshead and Gosforth test centres to obtain their ADI Part 3 driving instruction certificate broken down by test centre location, year and sex of attendees/applicants (male or female). 2. Total passes and failures: Between 1 Sep 2022-1 Sep 23, 1 Sep 2023-1 Sep 24 and 1 Sep 2024-1 Sep 25 how many people passed and failed their ADI Part 3 driving instruction test broken down by test centre location (Blyth, Carlisle, Gateshead and Gosforth), on first attempt, second attempt, third attempt, to include sex of attendees/applicants (male or female). 3. Performance bonuses: The amounts paid to test centre staff (including managers of test centres) in performance bonuses/performance-related bonuses during financial years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 at each of the four test location centres (Blyth, Carlisle, Gateshead, Gosforth). 20/10/2025
2509-088841 Successful Information about MOT pass/fail rates and how this correlates with vehicle ages. Recent data that indicates pass/fail rates on first test and vehicle date of first registration. 20/10/2025
2509-088868 Successful All the detailed Warrant Powers and Powers of Entry, available to DVSA Enforcement staff, in particular DVSA Vehicle Examiners. The request is for the full details and includes all the specific reasons these powers can be used. In particular I am requesting you highlight the above in relation to the powers and reasons an authorised MOT station can be officially entered. 27/10/2025
2510-089075 Successful Would it be possible to find out whether a person is still listed with the DVSA as a practicing instructor. 17/10/2025
2510-089133 Successful The top 25 highest mileage vehicles that passed the MOT test in the last year, with a breakdown of this information by make, model, year of first registration, fuel type and mileage. 30/10/2025
2510-089561 Successful A copy of the list of active MOT centres that was active January 2024. 31/10/2025
2510-089586 Successful The numbers of retried Driving Test Examiners in the last year 1. The number of active Driving Test Examiners retired nationally in the last year (October 2024 to October 2025) And further if possible, 2. And of that number of Driving Test Examiners retired nationally, a breakdown by regions in numbers that make up the national number. 28/10/2025
2510-089802 Successful Data for the pass rates of the hazard perception section of the theory test for fy24-25 and fy23-24 based on the figures from DRT111A 24/10/2025
2510-089917 Successful For the last 5 years how many driving tests were carried out by cars fitted with dual controls and how many were carried out without dual controls. 29/10/2025
2510-089992 Successful Based on Form DRT111A, 2,792,839 tests were conducted last year 24-25 and 2,594,741 in 23-24. The number of unique candidates who failed their test in each date range, because the data set above contains candidates who have sat multiple tests. 31/10/2025
2510-090196 Successful 1. Who within DVSA holds direct operational responsibility for allocating driving test slots to Inverurie Driving Test Centre? 2. Is this determined by Aberdeen North management, regional operations, or national oversight? 3. What criteria, KPIs, or performance metrics are used to determine how examiner resources are distributed between Aberdeen North, Aberdeen South, and Inverurie? 4. Why has Inverurie consistently received a significantly lower test allocation than Aberdeen, despite comparable — and in many cases higher — demand per capita within Aberdeenshire? 31/10/2025
2509-087205 Partially successful The total number of unique multiple choice Theory Test candidates for learner car drivers for the following date ranges: 1 January 2024 - 31 July 2024 1 January 2025 - 31 July 2025 02/10/2025
2509-087400 Partially successful Recorded information relating to the call-off “K280021993 – MOT Digital Delivery” under RM6100 Technology Services 3 (commencement 01 April 2024). 06/10/2025
2509-087405 Partially successful Information describing the MOT Testing Service (MTS) as used by MOT testers, covering: 1. A high-level user journey for testers from sign-in (including current MFA methods) to recording and issuing results; include any service maps, support run-books or onboarding guides held by DVSA. 2. A data dictionary or equivalent listing of the fields captured/stored for each MOT test. 3. The classification schema for defects and advisories (dangerous/major/minor/advisory) and any internal error/status codes used by MTS when recording/validating test entries. 4. Any current DPIA summary or data retention schedule relevant to MTS transactional data. 31/10/2025
2509-087449 Partially successful 1. Please provide the number of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and driving examiners: (a) trained and qualified each year since 2018, and (b) who have left the register or DVSA employment in each year since 2018. 2. How many driving test appointments have been identified or are suspected of being booked by automated bots in each year since 2018? 3. On average, how many practical driving test slots are released nationwide every Monday at 6:00 a.m. through the booking system? Please provide data for the past 12 months if available. 4. On average, how long does it take after 6:00 a.m. on Mondays for the newly released test slots to be fully booked? Please provide data for the past 12 months if available. 5. Please provide the current average and longest waiting times for practical driving tests by region/test centre (or however data is stored), and how these compare by year since 2018. 06/10/2025
2509-087455 Partially successful The most recently updated contract register. 06/10/2025
2509-087811 Partially successful The total number of practical driving tests taken, and the total number passed first time in each region of the UK, from 31 July 2024 to 31 July 2025? 07/10/2025
2509-087911 Partially successful MOT pass and fail rates. 08/10/2025
2509-088052 Partially successful What is the current longest waiting time for a) a theory driving test b) a practical driving test in Edinburgh What has been the average waiting time for a) a theory driving test b) a practical driving test in Edinburgh each year for the last ten years 14/10/2025
2509-088544 Partially successful For the period 1 January 2018 — 31 December 2024: 1. The total number of prosecutions (magistrates’ court or higher) in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where the principal offence or reason for prosecution was “overloaded caravan”, “overloaded trailer (caravan)” or equivalent wording that identifies a touring caravan being overloaded. Please break the totals down by year and by nation. 2. The total number of fixed penalty notices (or on-the-spot penalties) issued for overloading where the vehicle involved was recorded as a caravan or trailer used as a leisure caravan, broken down by year and by nation for the same period. 3. If available, please provide the breakdown of enforcement outcome types (fixed penalty, prohibition notice, financial deposit, prosecution) associated with caravan overloading inspections for each year. 21/10/2025
2509-088582 Partially successful 1. Is the MOT appeals branch independent from the DVSA areas and the MOT disciplinary team ? 2. What is the role of MOT North (email address) in the appeals system and any appeal that may have been put forward? 3. Would MOT north be involved in communicating with the person that has lodged the appeal? 4. Do MOT appeals have any Operating Instructions? If they do, I would like a copy of these instructions please. 5. Has the OI's for the MOT enforcement activities been recently updated I quote sections 13 to section 46 ? 6. If these OIs have been amended I would be grateful if you could also forward copies of these ? 20/10/2025
2509-088655 Partially successful Reselling of practical car driving tests. 16/10/2025
2509-088857 Partially successful The number of cases put before the Registrar for Approved Driving Instructors between the period 1/4/2024 and 30/09/205 under the fit and proper persons test, detailing the following: 1) The total number overall 2) The number that related to speeding 3) from the number relating to speeding where points only (not disqualification) occurred. 4) Of those related to 3 above, considered for removal from the register for non disqualification speeding how many were a) removed b) had suspension of licence for defined periods c) were allowed to remain on the register. d) any other reason 5) Please provide the guidance documents available to the registrar upon which their decisions are based. 07/10/2025
2509-088895 Partially successful • Current driving test wait times for each centre in the UK. Just type B (car) is fine. • Average wait times (just a UK-wide average is fine) as far back as you have available data, but ideally at least 10 years. Please give this at the highest frequency you have available (monthly would be ideal). Again just type B is fine. 20/10/2025
2509-088896 Partially successful The breakdown of those taking theory tests from 2021-2024 (combined period) by single year age in one table, and then by nationality in another . 28/10/2025
2510-088930 Partially successful Information regarding the Basingstoke Driving Test Centre: 1. What are the waiting times (in weeks) for category B (practical car) driving tests over the course of a year from September 2024 to September 2025, broken down by each month? If data from September 2025 is not yet available, please provide this information from August 2024 to August 2025. 2. How many total practical test slots were made available per week over the course of September 2024 to September 2025? If data from September 2025 is not yet available, please provide this information from August 2024 to August 2025. 3. How many extra tests have been made available from September 2024 to September 2025? If data from September 2025 is not yet available, please provide this information from August 2024 to August 2025. 16/10/2025
2510-088939 Partially successful Please provide the number of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and Potential Driving Instructors (PDIs) broken down by postcode across the United Kingdom. 22/10/2025
2510-089036 Partially successful Information and statics on complaints made to your department for driving examiners in Southall. In particular complaints that were made due to racism and homophobia. 29/10/2025
2510-089300 Partially successful The number of complaints that have been registered against driving instructors that you recommend and the number of driving instructors that you have removed following your investigations. 29/10/2025
2510-089367 Partially successful Leighton Buzzard Driving Test Centre: • The times and days of the on road HGV tests • the number of HGV tests carried out at the same time • the routes used for the HGV tests • the number of approved examiners at the test centre. 31/10/2025
2510-089378 Partially successful Numbers of car tests available at the Wick test centre during the years 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 and numbers of tests conducted during those same years. I would also like to have a figure please for the number of examiners who attend the Wick test centre for the years 2022,2023,2024 & 2025. 31/10/2025
2510-089431 Partially successful (i) The annual number of cancellations by the driving test centre at Bodmin of tests from the period of 1st October 2022 to 30th September 2024, by year. (ii) The number of cancellations for the period of 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025. (iii) The number of claims which were paid, at the amount claimed, due to cancellations at Bodmin between the period of 1st October 2022 to 30th September 2024, by year. (iv) The number of claims which were paid, at the amount claimed, due to cancellations at Bodmin between the period of 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025. (v) The number of cancellations by the driving test centre with less than 4 hours notice at Bodmin between the period of 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025. 31/10/2025
2510-089434 Partially successful 1) Data on the category of car tests only. 2) The number of injuries sustained by driving examiners, the learner taking the test, and third parties. 3) As above, car tests only. In regards to the nature of the injury, serious enough for it to be recorded, requiring medical intervention and/or hospitalisation. 4) The data on the medical/hospital interventions for examiners. 31/10/2025
2510-089482 Partially successful Waiting times for. Alness Fort William Grantown-on-Spey Inverness Kingussie Mallaig Thurso Golspie Lairg Also please provide the same information for test centres in Moray: Elgin Buckie 20/10/2025