DVSA is under pressure now to publish more regular data on test recovery when it comes to Category B tests. However, its performance on Part 2 and 3 tests and ADI Standards Check get way less scrutiny outside of (and sometimes even in) our industry than it should. But here’s why it matters to our whole profession and the public, and not least as yet another symptom of a provider that simply can’t provide.
As it stands there are now 44,000 ADI’s on the register, and 20,000 PDI’s. To assess the quality and suitability to hold a licence of, a team of only 44 examiners is responsible for conducting Part 2 and 3 qualifying tests and Standards Checks. So fundamentally 44 people to try and assess the standards of 64,000 individuals.
Part 2 and 3 tests are being given priority over Standards Checks, but they’re still not a priority to resource and PDIs face stressful, costly waits for qualifying tests having invested thousands of pounds into the process.
And Standards Checks not happening in any real number should worry the profession and the public. In 2024/2025 a grand total of 527 checks were carried out. Compare that with a height of 11,474 in 2014 (when the register stood at around 41,000 ADIs) and a low, where you’d expect it most, of 629 in 2020/21 during the pandemic era. So a licensed position that the public expects to be effectively evaluated and regulated is not being effectively evaluated and regulated at all.
Additionally, the challenge is – given the agency’s resource challenges (not just in testing PDIs, but also dealing with such a high number of applicants, DVSA having had to recruit more headcount just to deal with PDI applications, at the opportunity cost of more headcount on the frontline of testing) – should a licensing body continue to allow such a flow of candidates into the sector, given delivery to this particular customer is so fraught with issues and quality of candidates and training remains a concern. And then there’s the question of whether the market will support such an influx of new entrants?
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Latest test waiting time statistics published
DVSA responds to concerns over pupil booking system blocks
New examiner deployment lag – still waiting on an update…
PDI pain continues on Part 2 and 3 tests, and ADI Standards Checks continue unchecked
DVSA nets a third more income from ADI and PDI fees, whilst delivering fewer services
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