Driver and rider testing and instructor statistics: April to June 2023
Published 14 September 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/driver-and-rider-testing-and-instructor-statistics-april-to-june-2023/driver-and-rider-testing-and-instructor-statistics-april-to-june-2023
About this release
This statistical release is published by the Department for Transport (DfT) based on statistics produced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), on the numbers and pass rates for driving and riding theory and practical tests conducted in Great Britain.
The driver and rider tests and instructors collection provides further detail of the key findings presented in this statistical release, including detailed data tables and operational data by test centre.
Coverage
Tests conducted by delegated examiners are excluded from these statistics.
This department is currently working to make our tables accessible for our users.
As part of this release, the format of the INS spreadsheet tables that accompany this release has changed to make them more accessible for our users.
If you have any feedback on the new format of our tables, please contact vehicles statistics.
Headline figures
Comparing tests in Great Britain in April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) with April to June 2022 (Quarter 1):
- 638,000 car theory tests were conducted, up 1%
- the car theory test pass rate was 44.6%, up 0.3 percentage points
- 434,000 car practical tests were conducted, up 7%
- the car practical test pass rate was 48.6%, down 0.1 percentage points
Cars (category B): overview
Theory
In April to June 2023 (Quarter 1), 638,000 car theory tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 1% on April to June 2022 (Quarter 1). The total pass rate was 44.6%, with 46.3% of females passing compared to 43.3% of males. The total pass rate for April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) was up 0.3 percentage points from the same quarter of the previous year.
Table 1: Car theory tests by gender, Great Britain, April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) with April to June 2022 (Quarter 1) (DRT1201)
| Metric and time period | Total | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2023 | 638,212 | 282,252 | 355,947 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2023 | 284,947 | 130,767 | 154,170 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2023 | 44.6% | 46.3% | 43.3% |
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2022 | 634,022 | 289,802 | 344,130 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2022 | 281,416 | 132,801 | 148,560 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2022 | 44.4% | 45.8% | 43.2% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +1% | -3% | +3% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +1% | -2% | +4% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | +0.3 | +0.5 | +0.1 |
Total figures include tests where the gender is unknown.
Figure 1: Car theory tests conducted and pass rates, Great Britain, quarterly, April to June 2013 (Quarter 1) onwards (DRT1101)
Figure 1 shows the number of car theory tests conducted and pass rate for each financial quarter since April to June 2013 (Quarter 1). April to June 2023 has the highest number of tests conducted since April to June 2021 (Quarter 1). The pass rate has shown variability across the previous quarters.
Practical
Statistics on car practical tests conducted in Great Britain are also published as a faster indicator to monitor transport activity on a timelier basis for topical issues relating to transport.
In April to June 2023 (Quarter 1), 434,000 car practical tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 7% on April to June 2022 (Quarter 1). The total pass rate was 48.6%, with 46.9% of females passing compared to 50.2% of males. The total pass rate for April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) was down 0.1 percentage points from the same quarter of the previous year.
Table 2: Car practical tests by gender, Great Britain, April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) with April to June 2022 (Quarter 1) (DRT1201)
| Metric and time period | Total | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2023 | 433,529 | 203,511 | 229,948 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2023 | 210,901 | 95,420 | 115,452 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2023 | 48.6% | 46.9% | 50.2% |
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2022 | 404,130 | 195,603 | 208,446 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2022 | 196,805 | 90,940 | 105,828 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2022 | 48.7% | 46.5% | 50.8% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +7% | +4% | +10% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +7% | +5% | +9% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | -0.1 | +0.4 | -0.6 |
Total figures include tests where the gender is unknown.
Figure 2: Car practical tests conducted and pass rates, Great Britain, quarterly, April to June 2013 (Quarter 1) onwards (DRT1101)
Figure 2 shows the number of car practical tests conducted and the pass rate for each financial quarter since April to June 2013 (Quarter 1). Tests conducted in April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) are higher than most previous quarters since July to September 2017 (Quarter 2), with only the previous quarter, January to March 2023 (Quarter 4) showing a higher count. The pass rate is at its highest since April to June 2022.
Motorcycles (category A)
Table 3: Motorcycle tests by test type, Great Britain, April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) with April to June 2022 (Quarter 1) (DRT1101)
| Metric and time period | Theory | Practical: Module 1 | Practical: Module 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2023 | 24,865 | 16,268 | 15,293 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2023 | 17,081 | 12,077 | 10,859 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2023 | 68.7% | 74.2% | 71.0% |
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2022 | 26,900 | 17,333 | 16,661 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2022 | 18,587 | 12,790 | 11,750 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2022 | 69.1% | 73.8% | 70.5% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | -8% | -6% | -8% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | -8% | -6% | -8% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | -0.4 | +0.4 | +0.5 |
Large Goods Vehicles (category C)
Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs), commonly referred to as lorries, trucks, or heavy goods vehicles, require a category C licence to drive. These are vehicles constructed for transporting goods and must have a gross weight over 3.5 tonnes.
A Certificate for Professional Competence (CPC) test pass is required by an individual, in addition to all other LGV or PCV tests, to drive professionally (as the main purpose of their job). CPC tests are not required to obtain a licence to drive LGVs or PCVs.
The LGV vocational practical test changed in November 2021 from a single test to become a two-part test (the on-road test and the off-road test). This release shows the number of tests carried out by DVSA. Tests conducted by delegated examiners are excluded from these statistics.
Table 4: Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) tests by test type, Great Britain, April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) with April to June 2022 (Quarter 1) (DRT1101)
| Metric and time period | Theory: Multiple choice | Theory: Hazard perception | Theory: CPC | Practical: Vocational (on-road) | Practical: Vocational (off-road) | Practical: CPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2023 | 18,356 | 14,022 | 11,722 | 22,697 | 1,058 | 1,538 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2023 | 10,690 | 11,359 | 8,166 | 13,576 | 789 | 1,449 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2023 | 58.2% | 81.0% | 69.7% | 59.8% | 74.6% | 94.2% |
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2022 | 27,987 | 21,823 | 18,628 | 28,386 | 4,835 | 3,590 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2022 | 17,137 | 17,774 | 13,589 | 16,942 | 3,732 | 3,413 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2022 | 61.2% | 81.4% | 72.9% | 59.7% | 77.2% | 95.1% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | -34% | -36% | -37% | -20% | -78% | -57% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | -38% | -36% | -40% | -20% | -79% | -58% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | -3.0 | -0.4 | -3.3 | +0.1 | -2.6 | -0.9 |
Conducted numbers for off-road practical tests have seen a decrease due to the introduction of delegated examiners which are excluded from these figures.
Passenger Carrying Vehicles (category D)
Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs), commonly referred to as buses or coaches, require a category D licence to drive.
A Certificate for Professional Competence (CPC) test pass is required by an individual, in addition to all other LGV or PCV tests, to drive professionally (as the main purpose of their job). CPC tests are not required to obtain a licence to drive LGVs or PCVs.
The PCV vocational practical test changed in November 2021 from a single test to become a two-part test (the on-road test and the off-road test). This release shows the number of tests carried out by DVSA. Tests conducted by delegated examiners are excluded from these statistics.
Table 5: Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) tests by test type, Great Britain, April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) with April to June 2022 (Quarter 1) (DRT1101)
| Metric and time period | Theory: Multiple choice | Theory: Hazard perception | Theory: CPC | Practical: Vocational (on-road) | Practical: Vocational (off-road) | Practical: CPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2023 | 2,358 | 1,947 | 1,691 | 1,835 | 170 | 213 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2023 | 1,427 | 1,536 | 845 | 1,178 | 151 | 192 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2023 | 60.5% | 78.9% | 50.0% | 64.2% | 88.8% | 90.1% |
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2022 | 2,151 | 1,789 | 1,403 | 1,353 | 373 | 323 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2022 | 1,369 | 1,470 | 708 | 872 | 343 | 296 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2022 | 63.6% | 82.2% | 50.5% | 64.4% | 92.0% | 91.6% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +10% | +9% | +21% | +36% | -54% | -34% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +4% | +4% | +19% | +35% | -56% | -35% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | -3.1 | -3.3 | -0.5 | -0.3 | -3.1 | -1.5 |
Conducted numbers for off-road practical tests have seen a decrease due to the introduction of delegated examiners which are excluded from these figures.
Car driving instructors (ADI)
An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is someone who has passed their ADI tests and has been added to the ADI statutory register. There are 3 parts of the ADI test:
- theory (part 1)
- driving ability (part 2)
- instructional ability (part 3)
Prospective instructors must pass all 3 parts of the ADI tests to be approved and registered. ADIs must undergo a standards check during each 4 year registration period.
Most learner motorcycle and moped riders must take Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before riding on the road. CBT motorcycle instructors are required to pass a 2 day DVSA assessment and then work for a motorcycle Approved Training Body (ATB). CBT instructors must also undergo tests every 4 years.
Table 6: Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) tests by test type, Great Britain, April to June 2023 (Quarter 1) with April to June 2022 (Quarter 1) (DRT1101)
| Metric and time period | Part 1 (theory) | Part 2 (driving ability) | Part 3 (instructional ability) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2023 | 5,969 | 2,494 | 2,382 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2023 | 2,240 | 1,328 | 830 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2023 | 37.5% | 53.2% | 34.8% |
| Tests Conducted: Apr to Jun 2022 | 5,119 | 2,184 | 1,835 |
| Tests Passed: Apr to Jun 2022 | 2,020 | 1,247 | 648 |
| Pass Rate (%): Apr to Jun 2022 | 39.5% | 57.1% | 35.3% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +17% | +14% | +30% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +11% | +6% | +28% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | -1.9 | -3.8 | -0.5 |
Improvements made in this release
If you have any feedback on any of these changes, please contact vehicles statistics.
Data table changes
Major changes to the layout of the driving instructor statistics (INS) tables have been introduced for the April to June 2023 release to make them more accessible for our users. Table numbers and their breakdowns have remained the same.
These changes follow updated DRT tables introduced in the 2022 to 2023 annual release.
A table index for this statistical series provides a full map of available tables and their contents.
Background notes
About these figures
The statistics in the driver and rider testing and instructor statistics series are derived by Department for Transport statisticians from extracts of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) administrative database.
For further information about the data used in this release, please see our guidance page.
In this release, numbers may not add up to totals and percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Test categories included
Practical test categories in the release are:
- B (car)
- A, A1 and A2 (motorcycles)
- C1 (medium sized vehicles)
- C1E (medium-sized vehicles with a trailer)
- C (large vehicles)
- CE (large vehicles with a trailer)
- D1 (minibuses)
- D1E (minibuses with a trailer)
- D (buses)
- DE (buses with a trailer)
Differences between vocational and CPC tests
LGV and PCV practical vocational test figures are always higher than the corresponding CPC practical test figure, as CPC tests are only required to drive these vehicles professionally. Non-commercial use of these vehicles might include, for example, driving a horse box.
Publication of monthly data
Some statistics on tests conducted in Great Britain are also published as faster indicators to monitor transport activity on a timelier basis for topical issues relating to transport.
The test types currently included are:
- LGV practical on-road
- Car practical (including forward bookings)
Ethnicity information
Additional data on ethnicity of candidates are released via data.gov.uk. This information is not published as part of the statistical release as many candidates do not declare their ethnicity. It is, therefore, highly likely that the information is subject to self-selection and reporting biases and neither DVSA nor DfT would recommend that users rely on these data being a true reflection of the ethnicity of all candidates.
Official Statistics
Official statistics are produced to the high professional standards set by the Code of Practice for Statistics. However, these statistics have not yet been assessed by the Office for Statistics Regulation.
Details of ministers and officials who receive pre-release access to these statistics up to 24 hours before release can be found in the pre-release access list.
Next release
Driving and rider testing statistics are published 4 times a year. Future update schedules can be accessed via the DfT statistical publications schedule.
For further information about the data used in this release, please see our notes and definitions.
To hear more about DfT statistics publications as they are released, follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at DfTstats.
Instructions for printing and saving
Depending on which browser you use and the type of device you use (such as a mobile or laptop) these instructions may vary.
You will find your print and save options in your browser’s menu. You may also have other options available on your device. Tablets and mobile devices instructions will be specific to the make and model of the device.
How to search
Select Ctrl and F on a Windows laptop or Command and F on a Mac.
This will open a search box in the top right-hand corner of the page. Type the word you are looking for in the search bar and press enter.
Your browser will highlight the word, usually in yellow, wherever it appears on the page. Press enter to move to the next place it appears.
Contact details
Driving tests and instructor statistics