Research and analysis

How driving instructors view and use mock driving tests: 2023 survey results

Published 9 June 2023

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This report summarises research carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to find out how approved driving instructors (ADIs) view and use mock driving tests.

The survey ran for 2 weeks from 7 February 2023 to 22 February 2023. There were 4,033 responses, which was just over 10% of all ADIs.

The survey makes comparisons to previous mock test research conducted in 2019 which received 7,614 responses.

Most questions were voluntary, meaning that sample sizes will vary by question. Some questions allowed more than one response. For open-ended questions, we have analysed a random sample.

Summary of findings

The 2023 survey found that:

• 97% of ADIs offer mock tests to either their pupils or pupils of other instructors
• 84% of ADIs offer mock tests to all their pupils, increasing by 3 percentage points since 2019
• 1 in 5 ADIs have seen requests for mock tests increase in the 3 months prior to this survey
• ADIs who offer mock tests typically offer more than one (81%), with 60% offering 2 or 3 mocks per test.
• 74% of ADIs have never had a pupil refuse a mock test
• 77% choose routes which include a variety of road types, although 45% select routes likely to be on the test
• 96% of ADIs think it is important that mocks are representative of the real test, an increase of 7 percentage points from 2019
• 19% of ADIs who offer mock tests offer them more frequently after our guidance, and 2% offer mocks when they did not previously

Overview of results

In this section:

Typically, requests for mock tests have remained consistent

In the last 3 months, have you noticed a change in the number of pupils who are requesting to sit a mock test with you?

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Yes, requests have increased	21%
Yes, requests have decreased	2%
No, requests have stayed the same	75%
Unsure	3%

3 out of 4
ADIs have seen requests for mocks stay the same (75%)

1 in 5
ADIs have seen requests for mocks increase (21%)

There were 4,024 responses to this question.

Most ADIs offer mock tests to all of their pupils

Do you offer your pupils a mock test during their learner journey?

Answer	Percentage of respondents 2019	Percentage of respondents 2023
Yes, to all my pupils	81%	84%
Yes, to some of my pupils	15%	13%
No	3%	3%

84%
of ADIs offer mock tests to all of their pupils. This has increased by 3 percentage points since 2019 and the change is statistically significant*

3%
do not offer mock tests to their pupils. This has not changed since 2019

*Response categories slightly differ. The 2019 answers of “Yes”, “Sometimes”, and “No” correlate to the 2023 answers of “Yes, to all of my pupils”, “Yes, to some of my pupils”, and “No” respectively.

There were 7,514 responses to this question in 2019 and 4,033 in 2023.

Mocks are not always useful

The following 2 questions were only posed to those who stated that they did not offer mock tests.

Can you let us know why you do not offer mock tests to your pupils?

• 60% think mock tests are pointless
• 13% think mocks do more harm than good
• 11% are more focused on safe driving for life – not just passing a test
• 7% lack confidence to conduct a mock
• 5% do not think it’s their job
• 3% have marking issues
• 2% say pupils do not want mocks
• 2% will do a mock if a pupil asks
• 1% do not offer it

There were 121 responses to this question.

What methods do you use to assess whether your pupil is ready to drive safely on their own?

• 57% via the learner’s ability to drive independently
• 19% use common sense
• 8% use challenging routes
• 5% rely on pupil self-evaluation
• 5% keep a checklist or progress sheet
• 2% assess via test route completion
• 2% use a “mini mock”
• 1% use a mock conducted by a different ADI

There were 120 responses to this question.

ADIs are asked to conduct mock tests to other instructor’s pupils more frequently now

Do you offer to provide mock tests to other instructor’s pupils?

When comparing 2023 to 2019, there is a significant change in the frequency that ADIs are asked to provide mock tests for other instructor’s pupils. Those who do not offer a mock test to their own pupils have too few responses to have confidence in the findings.

The change does not occur in the amount offering the service, rather the frequency they are asked.

All ADIs

Answer	2019	2023
Yes, and I am asked to do this regularly	8%	10%
Yes, but I am rarely asked to	27%	25%
Yes, but I am never asked to	20%	21%
No, I do not offer this service	45%	45%

There were 7,614 responses to this question in 2019 and 4,033 in 2023.

Offer mock test to own pupils

Answer	2019	2023
Yes, and I am asked to do this regularly	8%	10%
Yes, but I am rarely asked to	27%	26%
Yes, but I am never asked to	21%	21%
No, I do not offer this service	44%	43%

There were 7,362 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,904 in 2023.

Do not offer mock test to own pupils

Answer	2019	2023
Yes, and I am asked to do this regularly	0%	3%
Yes, but I am rarely asked to	9%	5%
Yes, but I am never asked to	8%	12%
No, I do not offer this service	83%	79%

There were 252 responses to this question in 2019 and 129 in 2023.

Practical issues are the main barrier to offering mock tests to other instructor’s pupils

Please let us know why you do not offer mock tests to pupils of other instructors

The highlights from this question were:

• 45% cited practical reasons, such as money, time and availability
• 33% have never been asked by another instructor
• 12% prefer to work solo or independently
• 5% do not want to, or do not think it’s necessary
• 2% do not think they have the necessary experience (such as PDIs)
• 3% were coded as “other”, with some citing personal reasons

We manually analysed 201 of the 1,407 written responses to this question to categorise them. This number is large enough to allow us to be reasonably confident the sample reflects the wider population.

Current make up of ADIs

Our instructors fall into one of 4 categories

Offer mock tests to their pupils and other instructor’s pupils	55%
Offer mock tests to their pupils but not other instructor’s pupils	42%
Offer mock tests to other instructor’s pupils but not theirs	1%
Do not offer mock tests to anyone	3%

These figures were the same in 2019 and 2023.

There were 7,614 responses to this question in 2019 and 4,033 in 2023.

ADIs offer a mock test well in advance

Typically, when do you first offer a mock test to your learner?

Answer	2019	2023
After a test fail but before another test	0.1%	0.1%
Days before the practical test	7%	5%
Weeks before the practical test	59%	70%
Before a practical test is booked	34%	26%

The highlights from this question were:

• 26% offer first mock before a test is booked, down 8 percentage points from 2019
• 70% offer first mock weeks before a test, up 11 percentage points from 2019
• 5% offer first mock days before a test, down 3 percentage points from 2019
• 0.1% offer first mock after candidate has failed a test, consistent with 2019

Overall, it appears that ADIs are offering mocks slightly later than in 2019. This may be due to the current wait times for tests, meaning candidates may be booking tests earlier on in their learning to drive journey.

There were 7,336 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,899 in 2023.

The top influences remain consistent with 2019

What influences your decision about when to offer a mock test?

Answer	2019	2023
Driving test waiting times	9%	15%
The readiness of the learner for a test	71%	77%
If the learner asks for one	30%	28%
If I think it will be beneficial to the learner	67%	60%
How ready the learner thinks they are for a test	56%	57%
Other	7%	7%

While the order of the factors remains consistent to 2019, the per cent of ADIs selecting each factor has not. The only option which has not significantly changed since 2019 is “How ready the learner thinks they are for a test”.

There were 7,353 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,901 in 2023.

Mocks are considered a natural part of the process

What influences your decision about when to offer a mock test?

Answer	2023
Desire to know which areas need improvement	18%
Independence or maturity of the learner	16%
Natural part of the teaching process	30%
To emulate test conditions	23%
Other	13%

30%
of ADIs considered the mock test to be an important teaching tool, conducted in the lead up to the real test, regardless of learner

I give a mock test to every learner 2 weeks before test.

This chimes in with a desire to emulate test conditions, with 23% using the mock test to give a “taste” of what to expect on the day.

I always offer one a few lessons before the real test to get them used to test conditions and driving independently.

We manually analysed 200 of the 268 written responses to this question to categorise them. This number is large enough to allow us to be reasonably confident the sample reflects the wider population.

The majority have never had a learner refuse a mock, though anxiety and nerves can sometimes get in the way

If a pupil does not accept your offer of a mock test, what reasons do they usually provide?

The highlights from this question were:

• 74% of ADIs have never had a pupil refuse
• 15% cite anxiety or nerves as the root cause of mock test refusals
• 7% find that some learners want to go straight to the test, or do not think mocks are useful
• 4% felt practical reasons prevented learners taking mock tests, such as money, time and a preference for a different instructor to conduct it

We manually analysed 202 of the 2,212 written responses to this question to categorise them. This number is large enough to allow us to be reasonably confident the sample reflects the wider population.

Most ADIs offer more than one mock test

On average, how many mock tests do you do before each driving test your pupil takes?

1 test	16%
2 tests	32%
3 tests	27%
4 tests	9%
5 or more tests	12%

60%
of ADIs offer 2 to 3 mocks per driving test (of those who offer mocks)

There were 3,901 responses to this question.

Who conducts mock tests with your learners?

Answer	2019	2023
Sometimes me or sometimes another instructor	16%	25%
Only ever another instructor	3%	2%
Only ever me	82%	74%

Learners are less likely to only have a mock test with their instructor compared with 2019.

Response categories slightly differed between the 2019 and 2023 survey. In the 2019 survey, “Me”, “Another Instructor”, “Both”, correlates to “Only ever me”, “Only ever another instructor”, “Sometimes me or sometimes another instructor” respectively in the 2023 survey.

There were 7,361 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,898 in 2023.

Delivering a mock test

In this section:

Most ADIs have conducted a mock test

Have you actually delivered a mock test to a pupil, either your own or another instructor’s?

The majority of ADIs who offer mock tests to either their pupil or another instructors, have delivered a mock test (97%).

I always do mock tests from about halfway through the learning journey.

I only present a learner for test once they have done an acceptable mock test.

I do a mock test one month before the pupil’s test date when I expect them to be test ready.

There were 3,931 responses to this question.

Most important test elements are incorporated, and this remains consistent with 2019

Which of the following would you do during a typical mock test?

Action	Every time	Sometimes	Never	Total
Wear a hi-vis vest	4%	8%	88%	100%
Use a driving test marking sheet	69%	21%	10%	100%
Start at a test centre	46%	43%	12%	100%
Check the pupil’s ID	29%	21%	50%	100%
Ask “tell me” questions	81%	17%	3%	100%
Conduct an eyesight test	59%	27%	14%	100%
A pre-test briefing	86%	12%	2%	100%

ADIs continue to include the core aspects of a driving test, though as the chart shows, some instructors only incorporate these “sometimes”.

I only do SEN work so some pupils I will take into the test centre to help them acclimatise to the environment and routine of a test.

There were 7,401 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,931 in 2023.

When compared with previous data, mock tests now include most elements more of the time

Difference between the use of test element between 2019 and 2023

Action	Every time	Sometimes	Never
Wear a hi-vis vest	1%	0%	-1%
Use a driving test marking sheet	7%	0%	-6%
Start at a test centre	4%	-3%	-1%
Check the pupil’s ID	1%	3%	-4%
Ask “tell me” questions	7%	-5%	-2%
Conduct an eyesight test	3%	1%	-5%
A pre-test briefing	-2%	2%	0%

There were 7,401 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,931 in 2023.

Most continue to incorporate important aspects of the test

Again, which of the following would you do during a typical mock test?

• 98% have a debrief
• 97% provide the result
• 87% time the test
• 87% include a reversing manoeuvre
• 84% ask a show me question
• 77% include a 20 minute independent drive
• 38% ask learners to follow a sat nav on an independent drive
• 33% ask learners to follow road signs on an independent drive
• Others also include emergency stops and multiple manoeuvres

There were 7,398 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,931 in 2023.

When compared with previous data, mock tests include most elements more of the time

Difference between the use of test element between 2019 and 2023

Test element	Every time	Sometimes	Never
Ask a “show me” question	5%	-5%	-1%
Ask a candidate to perform a reversing manoeuvre	0%	0%	0%
20 minutes of independent driving	3%	-3%	0%
Follow sat nav during independent driving	4%	-4%	0%
Follow road signs during independent driving	3%	-3%	0%
Time the test (minimum 30 minutes on road)	2%	-2%	0%
Post-test debrief	0%	0%	0%

There were 7,398 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,931 in 2023.

How ADIs choose routes remain largely consistent with 2019

How would you decide what routes to use for a mock test?

Answer	2019	2023
Include as many different road types as possible	74%	77%
Routes which are as challenging as possible	52%	52%
Choose routes likely to be on the test	41%	45%
Tailor routes to the needs of the pupil	31%	31%
Routes chosen for the convenience of the learner	9%	9%

3%
more are choosing routes with as many different road types as possible

4%
more are selecting routes likely to be on the test

Some ADIs are making a conscious effort to avoid test routes to develop safer drivers.

I look for training areas that provide the right blend of challenges that they need to deal with as safe and competent drivers, this is our core focus (not just passing the test).

There were 7,398 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,927 in 2023.

Most use marking sheets to record results, though this was also raised as a potential hazard

How do you record a pupil’s performance during on a mock test?

Main findings include:

• 73% record mock test results on a marking sheet (either DL25, their own, or from their driving school).
• 21% make notes but not on a marking sheet, though many emphasise that this is in addition to  mark sheets.
• 4% do something else, including multi-method approaches, such as physical and digital methods.
• 1% do not record anything, some prefer to memorise or mentally record mock test results.

A small number of ADIs questioned the safety of recording results mid-test, with some seeing it as a potential distraction.

I record them after the test on my own marking sheet as to manage risk I want my hands free.

I have a notebook and DL25 on my lap but I do not record anything while the candidate is driving.

I find it hard to write and keep my eyes fully on the road and learner. The mark sheets take too much time.

There were 7,394 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,925 in 2023.

Over half of ADIs wait to provide feedback at the end of the test, an increase of 12% from 2019

How would you provide feedback on faults made by a learner during a mock test?

Answer	2019	2023
Feedback after every fault	5%	5%
Feedback after serious faults	49%	36%
Wait until the end of the test	47%	59%

Fewer instructors are providing feedback immediately after a serious fault than in 2019, with more choosing to wait until the end of the test. This change is statistically significant.

In some instances, ADIs felt it unnecessary to offer feedback after a serious fault as the learner often realised.

Just tell them the result at the end but they generally know as I tell them the mistake as it happens.

There were 7,391 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,922 in 2023.

Results are not always helpful

Why do not you provide the result of the mock test to every pupil?

Main findings include:

• 33% felt that the outcome of the mock test was not always helpful or important
• 19% gave the results verbally, not physically
• 14% felt there was no need, as the test was either incomplete or the result was obvious
• 12% said that not all learners want the results
• 4% gave the results depending on the learner
• 5% reported other reasons, including suggestions it would be a waste of time

Some ADIs felt that a negative mock test result could undermine learner confidence:

It can be a confidence breaker. Just highlighting strengths and weaknesses may suffice with some students.

Others felt that a positive result could also have an adverse effect, with concerns that it could over inflate confidence:

Giving the outcome could lead to more worry or arrogance that they will pass.

If I told them they had passed […] they will stop all future lessons and practice.

There were 94 responses to this question.

Standards applied by ADIs remain consistent with 2019

What standards would you apply to a pupil’s performance on mock test?

Answer	2019	2023
Standards comparable to those used by driving examiners	51%	51%
Standards stricter than those used by driving examiners	49%	47%
Standards more lenient than those used by driving examiners	0%	2%

We did not include the option “Standards more lenient than those used by driving examiners” in 2019.

Standards observed by ADIs remain consistent with 2019, with an equal proportion applying similar standards to those used by examiners.

47%
use standards stricter than those used by examiners, 2 percentage points less than in 2019

ADIs also felt standards should be directed by the need to create safe drivers, and not just to pass a test.

There were 7,387 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,913 in 2023.

When compared to 2019, ADI confidence is growing

How confident are you that you know what criteria DVSA examiners use when:

Action	Not confident at all	Somewhat confident	Confident	Very confident	Total
Assessing a driving fault	1%	16%	47%	36%	100%
Assessing a serious fault	1%	10%	43%	47%	100%
Assessing a dangerous fault	1%	9%	36%	54%	100%

54%
felt very confident in assessing a dangerous fault, compared to 50% in 2019

47%
felt very confidence in assessing a serious fault, compared to 44% in 2019

There were no significant changes in confidence when assessing a driving fault, compared to 2019.

Some ADIs do not feel they have the skillset or knowledge to match examiners.

I am not an examiner. I honestly don’t know the level of safe driving the pupil needs to demonstrate to be successful.

There were 7,394 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,926 in 2023.

Mocks are viewed with increasing importance

How important is it that the mock test experience is representative of a real driving test?

Item	Important	Very important	Total
Representative of a real driving test	22%	74%	96%

96%
of ADIs think it is important overall that the mock test experience is representative of a real driving test

This is a statistically significant increase of 7% from 2019, indicating a changing perspective amongst instructors. Some would even consider altering their current approach to make it more realistic.

Haven’t thought to give learners the sheet as well as discussing it! Think I should - more realistic.

How important is it that pupils understand the benefits of a mock test?

Item	Important	Very important	Total
Pupils understand the benefits of a mock test	77%	20%	97%

97%
of ADIs think it is important overall that learners understand the benefits of a mock test

This is a statistically significant increase of 4% from 2019, again suggesting a change in perspective in how mocks are viewed.

Numerous benefits were cited, including boosting learner confidence, calming nerves, experiencing test conditions, and spotting areas for improvement.

There were 7,372 responses to this question in 2019 and 3,927 in 2023.

Mock test guidance

In this section:

19%
of ADIs offer mock tests more frequently now

23%
of ADIs state the guidance has changed the way they carry out mock tests

2%
of ADIs offer mock tests when previously not done before

74%
of ADIs who offer mock tests sat in on a real test

In the comments, ADIs said the guidance had most helped them with:

• language and timings
• marking accuracy
• structure and test elements

Most ADIs engaged with our mock test guidance

Which of these have you done as a result of DVSA’s published guidance about mock tests?

Answer	All ADIs
Read the blog post by DVSA about the benefits of mock tests	45%
Read the new guidance from DVSA about carrying out mock tests	55%
Downloaded the suggested wording to use during a mock test	29%
Downloaded the guidance about how to assess and mark faults	35%
Downloaded the driving test marking sheet	49%
Went to a live DVSA webinar about mock tests	6%
Watched one of the DVSA webinars about mock tests after it had been held	9%
Sat in on a real driving test to watch how it was carried out	73%
Nothing	7%
Other	7%

The highlights from this question were:

• 3 out of 4 sat in on a real driving test (73%)
• Half downloaded the driving test marking sheet (49%)
• 35% downloaded the fault assessment guidance
• 29% downloaded the suggested wording guidance
• Less than 7% did nothing after interacting with our guidance.

There were 4,033 responses to this question.

ADIs who do not offer mock tests engaged less than those who do offer mock tests

Which of these have you done as a result of DVSA’s published guidance about mock tests?

Item	Do not offer mock tests	Offer mock tests
Read the blog post by DVSA about the benefits of mock tests	37%	45%
Read the new guidance from DVSA about carrying out mock tests	37%	56%
Downloaded the suggested wording to use during a mock test	12%	29%
Downloaded the guidance about how to assess and mark faults	17%	35%
Downloaded the driving test marking sheet	28%	50%
Went to a live DVSA webinar about mock tests	3%	6%
Watched one of the DVSA webinars about mock tests after it had been held	6%	9%
Sat in on a real driving test to watch how it was carried out	47%	74%
Nothing	30%	6%
Other	6%	7%

ADIs who do not offer mock tests were less likely to engage in any of the desired behaviours compared to those who do offer mocks.

However, response rates vary considerably so it is difficult to draw solid conclusions.

There were 4,033 responses, of which 3,931 offered mock tests and 102 who did not offer mock tests.

Some ADIs still question the value of mock tests

Why has this published DVSA guidance not encouraged you to offer mock tests to either your own, or other instructor’s pupils?

• 31% think mocks are pointless or unnecessary
• 21% have different ways to prepare and focus on safe driving for life instead
• 18% were unsure
• 14% feel unqualified to offer mocks
• 9% have had access issues to the guidance
• 4% would like more information
• 2% think mocks undermine pupil confidence
• 1% will do a mock test if requested

There were 85 responses to this question.

The effect of our mock test guidance

Has this guidance changed how frequently you offer mock driving tests to learners?

Yes, I did not offer mock tests before	2%
Yes, I offer mock tests more frequently now	19%
Yes, I offer mock tests less frequently now	1%
No, I offer mock tests the same amount as before	75%
Unsure	3%

2%
of ADIs who offer mock tests did not offer them before our guidance

1 in 5
ADIs who offer mocks offer them more frequently now (19%)

There were 3,921 responses to this question.

Has the DVSA published guidance on mock tests changed the way you carry out mock driving tests?

Item	Yes	No	Unsure	Total
	23%	61%	16%	100%

23%
of ADIs who offer mocks have changed how they carry out mocks as a result of our guidance

There were 3,798 responses to this question.

We received some very positive feedback on our guidance

Can you please tell us how this guidance changed the way you carry out mock driving tests?

28%
feel their wording, language used and instruction timings are now more consistent with a real test

The new initiative has given me more confidence in how I deliver the mock test. I try my best to use the terminology that the examiner will use and I talk them through what will happen on the day.

25%
think their marking is more accurate, have a better understanding of the difference between faults, and use a marking sheet

How to assess faults - was unsure how the examiners were assessing each element so when a fault was committed on a mock test, I was unclear on if this was a driving, serious or dangerous, or even a not worthy fault. Guidance has really helped identify examples of each fault category.

15%
had better understanding of test procedures, elements and structure

I try make it similar time as a practical test also add all areas which would be covered in the test. Roundabouts, pull up on the left, 1 manoeuvre, independent driving. Before would be more of anything i can fit in the local area.

5%
mentioned test atmosphere or formal environment

It made me try to create a similar in car atmosphere that the pupil will face on their actual test and therefore make the mock test more realistic.

4%
have improved or deliver more realistic feedback

I used to comment on faults throughout but now continue until the end and have a debrief at the end of the mock test.

3%
conducted more mock tests

I do more of them, pupils always hate the first mock test, but then they know exactly what we need to work on and they get easier.

We manually analysed 342 of the 673 written responses to this question to categorise them. This number is large enough to allow us to be reasonably confident the sample reflects the wider population.

Recommendations and conclusions

In this section:

Mock tests are offered widely, with ADIs increasingly recognising their value

84% of ADIs offer mock tests to all their pupils, an increase of 3 percentage points from 2019. ADIs are also recognising the value of mock tests, particularly in getting learners “test ready”.

Learners are also recognising the value of mock tests, with more requesting them

1 in 5 ADIs have seen requests for mocks increase (21%), indicating that the “Ready to Pass” campaign is taking effect. Continuous promotion of this aspect of the campaign may well see requests increase further.

ADIs continue to carry out mock tests to a high standard

The core elements of a real test are usually included in a mock, although checking the learner’s ID and wearing a hi-vis vest are only included sometimes. The latter is not currently included in the best practice guidance.

Routes which are likely to appear on the test continue to be chosen

Although many instructors incorporate a variety of different road types, 45% still select test routes.

DVSA’s current published guidance on mock tests is having an effect

The majority of ADIs acted on the published guidance, with only 7% reportedly not doing so. DVSA’s current guidance is therefore having an effect, though regular promotion and occasional updates of the guidance can ensure that this continues.