Driver and rider testing and instructor statistics: July to September 2023
Published 6 December 2023
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/driver-and-rider-testing-and-instructor-statistics-july-to-september-2023/driver-and-rider-testing-and-instructor-statistics-july-to-september-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.
Headline figures
Comparing tests in Great Britain in July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) with July to September 2022 (Quarter 2):
- 663,000 car theory tests were conducted, up 10%
- the car theory test pass rate was 46.1%, up 1.4 percentage points
- 432,000 car practical tests were conducted, up 5%
- the car practical test pass rate was 48.9%, up 0.2 percentage points
Cars (category B): overview
Theory
In July to September 2023 (Quarter 2), 663,000 car theory tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 10% on July to September 2022 (Quarter 2). The total pass rate was 46.1%, with 48.0% of females passing compared to 44.6% of males. The total pass rate for July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) was up 1.4 percentage points from the same quarter of the previous year.
Table 1: Car theory tests by gender, Great Britain, July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) with July to September 2022 (Quarter 2) (DRT1201)
| Metric and time period | Total | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2023 | 663,103 | 293,394 | 369,692 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2023 | 305,832 | 140,914 | 164,907 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2023 | 46.1% | 48.0% | 44.6% |
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2022 | 602,677 | 271,322 | 331,293 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2022 | 269,362 | 125,493 | 143,827 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2022 | 44.7% | 46.3% | 43.4% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +10% | +8% | +12% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +14% | +12% | +15% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | +1.4 | +1.8 | +1.2 |
Total figures include tests where the gender is unknown.
Figure 1: Car theory tests conducted and pass rates, Great Britain, quarterly, July to September 2013 (Quarter 2) onwards (DRT1101)
Figure 1 shows the number of car theory tests conducted and pass rate for each financial quarter since July to September 2013 (Quarter 2). July to September 2023 has the highest number of tests conducted since April to June 2021 (Quarter 1). The pass rate has shown some 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 July to September 2023 (Quarter 2), 432,000 car practical tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 5% on July to September 2022 (Quarter 2). The total pass rate was 48.9%, with 47.7% of females passing compared to 49.9% of males. The total pass rate for July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) was up 0.2 percentage points from the same quarter of the previous year.
Table 2: Car practical tests by gender, Great Britain, July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) with July to September 2022 (Quarter 2) (DRT1201)
| Metric and time period | Total | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2023 | 432,174 | 198,054 | 234,058 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2023 | 211,294 | 94,526 | 116,744 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2023 | 48.9% | 47.7% | 49.9% |
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2022 | 412,735 | 197,559 | 215,078 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2022 | 200,969 | 92,327 | 108,607 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2022 | 48.7% | 46.7% | 50.5% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +5% | 0% | +9% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +5% | +2% | +7% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | +0.2 | +1.0 | -0.6 |
Total figures include tests where the gender is unknown.
Figure 2: Car practical tests conducted and pass rates, Great Britain, quarterly, July to September 2013 (Quarter 2) onwards (DRT1101)
Figure 2 shows the number of car practical tests conducted and the pass rate for each financial quarter since July to September 2013 (Quarter 2). Tests conducted in July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) are lower than the previous 2 quarters, however are otherwise higher than all other quarters since July to September 2017 (Quarter 2). The pass rate is at its highest since July to September 2021 (Quarter 2).
Motorcycles (category A)
Table 3: Motorcycle tests by test type, Great Britain, July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) with July to September 2022 (Quarter 2) (DRT1101)
| Metric and time period | Theory | Practical: Module 1 | Practical: Module 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2023 | 22,720 | 17,303 | 17,343 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2023 | 15,640 | 12,724 | 12,404 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2023 | 68.8% | 73.5% | 71.5% |
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2022 | 23,760 | 17,639 | 17,732 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2022 | 16,291 | 12,947 | 12,544 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2022 | 68.6% | 73.4% | 70.7% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | -4% | -2% | -2% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | -4% | -2% | -1% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | +0.3 | +0.1 | +0.8 |
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 and assessors are excluded from these statistics.
Table 4: Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) tests by test type, Great Britain, July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) with July to September 2022 (Quarter 2) (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: Jul to Sep 2023 | 18,696 | 14,427 | 11,508 | 20,544 | 822 | 1,477 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2023 | 10,861 | 11,705 | 8,109 | 12,418 | 614 | 1,418 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2023 | 58.1% | 81.1% | 70.5% | 60.4% | 74.7% | 96.0% |
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2022 | 23,822 | 18,720 | 16,051 | 31,128 | 2,840 | 2,674 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2022 | 14,412 | 15,371 | 11,613 | 18,411 | 2,154 | 2,524 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2022 | 60.5% | 82.1% | 72.4% | 59.1% | 75.8% | 94.4% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | -22% | -23% | -28% | -34% | -71% | -45% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | -25% | -24% | -30% | -33% | -71% | -44% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | -2.4 | -1.0 | -1.9 | +1.3 | -1.1 | +1.6 |
Conducted numbers for off-road practical tests have seen a decrease since the same period last year. This is due to the fact that the majority of off-road tests are conducted by delegated assessors from the training industry (which are excluded from these figures) and the fact that demand for LGV tests has dropped. The DVSA conducts off-road tests as the provider of last resort.
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 and assessors are excluded from these statistics.
Table 5: Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) tests by test type, Great Britain, July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) with July to September 2022 (Quarter 2) (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: Jul to Sep 2023 | 2,343 | 1,885 | 1,565 | 1,979 | 195 | 295 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2023 | 1,440 | 1,569 | 818 | 1,313 | 167 | 266 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2023 | 61.5% | 83.2% | 52.3% | 66.3% | 85.6% | 90.2% |
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2022 | 1,964 | 1,662 | 1,307 | 1,529 | 220 | 297 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2022 | 1,209 | 1,353 | 641 | 992 | 199 | 279 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2022 | 61.6% | 81.4% | 49.0% | 64.9% | 90.5% | 93.9% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +19% | +13% | +20% | +29% | -11% | -1% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +19% | +16% | +28% | +32% | -16% | -5% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | -0.1 | +1.8 | +3.2 | +1.5 | -4.8 | -3.8 |
Conducted numbers for off-road practical tests have seen a decrease since the same period last year. This is due to the fact that the majority of off-road tests are conducted by delegated assessors from the training industry (which are excluded from these figures) and the fact that demand for LGV tests has dropped. The DVSA conducts off-road tests as the provider of last resort.
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, July to September 2023 (Quarter 2) with July to September 2022 (Quarter 2) (DRT1101)
| Metric and time period | Part 1 (theory) | Part 2 (driving ability) | Part 3 (instructional ability) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2023 | 5,718 | 2,964 | 2,378 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2023 | 2,199 | 1,551 | 820 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2023 | 38.5% | 52.3% | 34.5% |
| Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2022 | 4,315 | 2,519 | 2,002 |
| Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2022 | 1,593 | 1,473 | 744 |
| Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2022 | 36.9% | 58.5% | 37.2% |
| Tests Conducted (%): Annual change | +33% | +18% | +19% |
| Tests Passed (%): Annual change | +38% | +5% | +10% |
| Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change | +1.5 | -6.1 | -2.7 |
Improvements made in this release
Data table changes
Some minor changes to the DRT tables have been made for the July to September 2023 release:
- Figures for April to June 2023 in tables DRT1101 and DRT1201 have been updated following a processing error which led to previous figures missing a small proportion (less than 0.1%) of data.
- Test results for commonly confidential test types in DRT1501 are now broken down by gender rather than only displaying totals, however are kept confidential where necessary. No figures have been changed as a result of this formatting change.
- Car with a trailer test data are no longer updated from October 2021 and as a result are not displayed in DRT1201 from this date onwards.
These changes follow updated DRT tables introduced in the 2022 to 2023 annual release, and updated INS tables introduced in the April to June 2023 release.
Background notes
About these figures
The statistics in the driver and rider testing and instructor statistics series are derived by DfT statisticians from extracts of the 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.
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