Driver and rider testing and instructor statistics: January to March 2022
Published 11 August 2022
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/driver-and-rider-testing-and-instructor-statistics-january-to-march-2022/driver-and-rider-testing-and-instructor-statistics-january-to-march-2022
About this release
This statistical release is published by the Department for Transport based on statistics produced by the 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.
Theory test data update
The publication of driver and rider theory test data, conducted from September 2021 onwards, and the annual edition of driver and rider testing and instructor statistics is being postponed while the Department for Transport (DfT) carry out enhanced quality assurance checks on the theory data.
Following the introduction of a new system for managing their theory test data, in September 2021, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) experienced a number of problems migrating data from the old to the new system and validating and collating the data which prevented its delivery to DfT. This resulted in the currently announced delays in publishing the theory test relating to 2021 onwards on DfT’s website.
DVSA have now tackled these issues and recommenced the supply of theory test data to DfT, including the outstanding period and DfT are currently undertaking validation and quality assurance testing of this. Once these checks have passed, we will seek to publish the outstanding statistics at the first available opportunity alongside the planned annual statistical release and we will announce this date on the forthcoming statistics section of the DfT website.
Until then, to minimise the impact of these delays on the unaffected practical test data, DfT has taken the decision to publish the latest 3 months of data for practical tests and for driving instructors (covering January to March 2022) in a quarterly release format in place of the annual release on the 11 August.
Headline practical test figures
Impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
At the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, measures by the UK government to limit the impact and transmission of the virus have affected trends in these statistics. Certain periods since March 2020 saw large reductions in the number of conducted driving tests as they were suspended (except for critical workers) during national lockdowns.
This release would usually present the latest statistics with a comparison to the equivalent period for the previous year. However, the period January to March 2021 (Quarter 4) had relatively low numbers of tests conducted due to the coronavirus restrictions. To provide a more meaningful comparison, the commentary in the release compares January to March 2022 (Quarter 4) to January to March 2020 (Quarter 4), although tables 1 to 6 provide the usual comparisons to the previous year.
Comparing practical tests in Great Britain in January to March 2022 (Quarter 4) with January to March 2020 (Quarter 4):
- 425,900 car tests were conducted, up 14%
- the car test pass rate was 47.1%, up 1.2 percentage points
- 12,500 motorcycle module 1 (off-road) tests were conducted, up 65%
- 12,800 motorcycle module 2 (on-road) tests were conducted, up 74%
- 26,400 LGV vocational (on-road) tests were conducted, up 74%
- 6,400 LGV vocational (off-road) tests were conducted (started in November 2021, no comparison available)
- 3,200 LGV CPC tests were conducted, up 60%
- 1,100 PCV vocational (on-road) tests were conducted, down 32%
- 350 PCV vocational (off-road) tests were conducted (started in November 2021, no comparison available)
- 290 PCV CPC tests were conducted, down 7%
Tests were heavily impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions in January to March 2021 (Quarter 4).
Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) require a category C licence to drive, commonly referred to as lorries, trucks, or heavy goods vehicles.
Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs) require a category D licence to drive, commonly referred to as buses or coaches.
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 license to drive LGVs or PCVs.
Car tests (category B)
Practical
Figure 1 shows the number of car practical tests conducted in Great Britain since 2012.
Between January to March 2012 (Quarter 4) and January to March 2020 (Quarter 4), car practical tests conducted ranged between around 330,000 and 480,000 tests, whilst pass rates ranged between 45% and 48%.
From April 2020 onwards, the availability of tests conducted has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. There were very low numbers of tests conducted in:
- April to June 2020 (Quarter 1) with 6,300 practical tests
- January to March 2021 (Quarter 4) with 1,300 practical tests
The number of practical car tests in January to March 2022 (Quarter 4) was the highest for this quarter since January to March 2017 (Quarter 4), with 425,900 tests conducted.
During the pandemic period, car practical pass rates were at a higher level than pre-pandemic levels, ranging between around 50% and 60%, and the most recent pass rate for January to March 2022 (Quarter 4) was 47.1%, which is slightly above pre-pandemic levels.
Figure 1: Car practical tests conducted and pass rates, Great Britain, quarterly, January to March 2012 (Quarter 4) to January to March 2022 (Quarter 4) (DRT0101)
Practical by gender
Table 1: Car practical tests in the fourth quarter (January to March) by gender, Great Britain, 2021 and 2022 (DRT0201), (DRT5201)
| Metric | Time period | Total | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2022 | 425,887 | 205,430 | 220,346 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2022 | 200,524 | 92,381 | 108,105 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2022 | 47.1% | 45.0% | 49.1% |
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2021 | 1,308 | 657 | 650 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2021 | 776 | 372 | 403 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2021 | 59.3% | 56.6% | 62.0% |
| Tests Conducted (%) | Annual change | +32,500% | +31,200% | +33,800% |
| Tests Passed (%) | Annual change | +25,700% | +24,700% | +26,700% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points) | Annual change | -12.2 | -11.6 | -12.9 |
Table 1 makes a comparison to a period during the coronavirus pandemic at a time when a very low number of tests were conducted. Consequently, there can be unduly large changes observed between these two time periods and care should be taken when interpreting these.
Total figures include tests where the gender is unknown.
Theory
Figure 2 shows the number of car theory tests conducted in Great Britain since 2012.
Between January to March 2012 (Quarter 4) and January to March 2020 (Quarter 4), car theory tests conducted ranged between around 290,000 and 510,000 tests, whilst pass rates steadily decreased from 63% to 46%.
From April 2020 onwards, the availability of tests conducted has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. There were very low numbers of tests conducted in:
- April to June 2020 (Quarter 1) with 6,400 theory tests
- January to March 2021 (Quarter 4) with 2,900 theory tests
Despite the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the number of car theory tests conducted between July and December 2020 (Quarter 2 and 3) were of a similar size to test numbers seen across the last 10 years. The number of theory tests conducted in April to June 2021 (Quarter 1) was the highest quarter ever recorded at 734,000, which was 43% higher than the previous record of 514,000 tests in April to June 2016 (Quarter 1).
During the pandemic period car theory pass rates (up to June 2021) have been at a higher level than pre-pandemic levels, ranging between 53% and 61%, and the latest available pass rate for April to June 2021 (Quarter 1) was 54.0%.
Figure 2: Car theory tests conducted and pass rates, Great Britain, quarterly, January to March 2012 (Quarter 4) to April to June 2021 (Quarter 1) (DRT0102)
Other practical tests
Motorcycles (category A)
Table 2: Motorcycle practical tests in the fourth quarter (January to March) by test type, Great Britain, 2021 and 2022 (DRT0101)
| Metric | Time period | Practical module 1 | Practical module 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2022 | 12,511 | 12,784 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2022 | 9,302 | 9,108 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2022 | 74.4% | 71.2% |
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2021 | [c] | [c] |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2021 | [c] | [c] |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2021 | [c] | [c] |
| Tests Conducted (%) | Annual change | [c] | [c] |
| Tests Passed (%) | Annual change | [c] | [c] |
| Pass Rate (percentage points) | Annual change | [c] | [c] |
[c] = Confidential. These values have been redacted to avoid the possibility of identifying individuals taking the small number of tests carried out during the period of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
Large Goods Vehicles (category C)
Table 3: Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) practical tests in the fourth quarter (January to March) by test type, Great Britain, 2021 and 2022 (DRT0101)
| Metric | Time period | Practical vocational (on road) | Practical vocational (off road) | Practical CPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2022 | 26,391 | 6,381 | 3,222 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2022 | 15,971 | 4,937 | 3,033 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2022 | 60.5% | 77.4% | 94.1% |
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2021 | 624 | [z] | 48 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2021 | 475 | [z] | 43 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2021 | 76.1% | [z] | 89.6% |
| Tests Conducted (%) | Annual change | +4,100% | [z] | +6,600% |
| Tests Passed (%) | Annual change | +3,300% | [z] | +7,000% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points) | Annual change | -15.6 | [z] | +4.5 |
[z] = Not applicable. The LGV practical vocational (off road) test was introduced in November 2021, so no comparison is available.
Table 3 makes a comparison to a period during the coronavirus pandemic at a time when a very low number of tests were conducted. Consequently, there can be unduly large changes observed between these two time periods and care should be taken when interpreting these.
Passenger Carrying Vehicles (category D)
Table 4: Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) practical tests in the fourth quarter (January to March) by test type, Great Britain, 2021 and 2022 (DRT0101)
| Metric | Time period | Practical vocational (on road) | Practical vocational (off road) | Practical CPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2022 | 1,083 | 350 | 286 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2022 | 691 | 314 | 268 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2022 | 63.8% | 89.7% | 93.7% |
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2021 | 37 | [z] | 0 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2021 | 31 | [z] | 0 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2021 | 83.8% | [z] | [z] |
| Tests Conducted (%) | Annual change | +2,800% | [z] | [z] |
| Tests Passed (%) | Annual change | +2,100% | [z] | [z] |
| Pass Rate (percentage points) | Annual change | -20.0 | [z] | [z] |
[z] = Not applicable. The PCV practical vocational (off road) test was introduced in November 2021, so no comparison is available.
Table 4 makes a comparison to a period during the coronavirus pandemic at a time when a very low number of tests were conducted. Consequently, there can be unduly large changes observed between these two time periods and care should be taken when interpreting these.
Table 5: Total practical (excluding CPC and ADI tests) in the fourth quarter (January to March), Great Britain, 2021 and 2022 (DRT0101)
| Metric | Time period | Practical |
|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2022 | 485,387 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2022 | 240,847 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2022 | 49.6% |
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2021 | 2,008 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2021 | 1,311 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2021 | 65.3% |
| Tests Conducted (%) | Annual change | +24,100% |
| Tests Passed (%) | Annual change | +18,300% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points) | Annual change | -15.7 |
Table 5 makes a comparison to a period during the coronavirus pandemic at a time when a very low number of tests were conducted. Consequently, there can be unduly large changes observed between these two time periods and care should be taken when interpreting these.
Driving instructors and motorcycle instructors
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) practical tests in the fourth quarter (January to March) by test type, Great Britain, 2021 and 2022 (DRT0101)
| Metric | Time period | Part 2 (driving ability) | Part 3 (instructional ability) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2022 | 2,237 | 1,809 |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2022 | 1,287 | 627 |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2022 | 57.5% | 34.7% |
| Tests Conducted | Jan to Mar 2021 | [c] | [c] |
| Tests Passed | Jan to Mar 2021 | [c] | [c] |
| Pass Rate (%) | Jan to Mar 2021 | [c] | [c] |
| Tests Conducted (%) | Annual change | [c] | [c] |
| Tests Passed (%) | Annual change | [c] | [c] |
| Pass Rate (percentage points) | Annual change | [c] | [c] |
[c] = Confidential. These values have been redacted to avoid the possibility of identifying individuals taking the small number of tests carried out during the period of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
Background notes
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)
To gain a category CE licence, a driver must hold a category C licence before taking the test, whilst a category D licence is required before acquiring a category DE licence.
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.
Ethnicity information
Additional data on ethnicity of candidates are released via data.gov. 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 quarterly.
The delayed annual release for April 2021 to March 2022 is due to be published in October 2022.
The next quarterly release is also due in October 2022, covering the period up to the end of June 2022. The quarterly releases (typically published in September, December and March) have a reduced number of tables and commentary compared to the annual publication (typically published in June).
Any updates to these plans will be advertised via the DfT statistical publications schedule.
To hear more about DfT statistics publications as they are released, please follow us on Twitter.
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Driving tests and instructor statistics