The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has published its statistical report for the first quarter of 2026/27, covering April to June 2026. The report details activity across vehicle testing, driving tests, theory tests, and licensing.

During the quarter, the DVA conducted 276,011 vehicle tests. Of these, 84.6% were full tests and 15.4% were retests. The number of vehicle test no-shows fell to 10,551, down from 13,590 in the same period last year, a reduction of 22.4%. This brought the failed-to-attend rate down from 4.5% to 3.7%.

Vehicle testing applications totalled 305,412, up 4.9% compared with April to June 2025. Online applications accounted for 97.0% of all applications.

For driving tests, the DVA conducted 18,092 tests, an increase of 5.4% compared with the 17,164 conducted in April to June 2025. Driving test applications reached 22,090, up 12.1% year-on-year, the highest quarterly level in recent years. A total of 571 candidates failed to attend their driving test, representing 3.2% of all scheduled tests.

The DVA delivered 26,567 theory tests, an increase of 15.2% on the previous year. Theory test applications rose 17.8% to 32,225. However, the number of no-shows for theory tests increased to 4,197, up 33.2% compared with the same period last year, representing 13.6% of all scheduled theory tests.

Driver licensing services continued to meet performance targets, with 99.5% of online applications processed within target times and 99.4% of paper applications processed within target. Overall, 81.2% of driver licensing transactions were completed online.

Compliance and enforcement activity during the quarter included 428 roadside checks and 234 fixed penalty notices issued, with a total value of £33,030. The DVA also secured 53 convictions, participated in four cross border operations and 14 joint operations with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and carried out safety and licensing checks on 20 buses.

This report is published by statisticians working in the DVA and covers the period April to June 2026.