Some of the safest roads in the world are made here
At the DVSA, we play a vital role in keeping Britain’s roads safe. We conduct over 1.9 million driving tests a year, helping connect people and their communities.
How do I apply?
We aren’t currently recruiting Driving Examiners, however we will be soon. As part of your application, you’ll be asked to write a 250-word personal statement outlining your experience of delivering high-quality customer service while remaining calm under pressure.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to an online Teams interview with a panel of up to 3 members of staff.
You will be asked situational interview questions, based on the following behaviours:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating & Influencing
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
You will also have the opportunity to ask the panel any questions you may have about the role. If you are successful following your Teams interview, you will then be invited to a driving ability assessment.
Assessing your driving ability
Your driving ability assessment will last approximately 45 minutes and during that time you will be asked to complete:
- An eyesight check.
- One reverse manoeuvre.
- Drive independently for approximately 20 minutes.
- Approximately 5 minutes of talk through.
To be successful, you will need to demonstrate consistent, safe and well planned driving. This includes planning well ahead, maintaining full awareness of your surroundings, and applying good driving habits at all times. Your drive should be structured and well thought out. Anticipate potential hazards early, position your vehicle correctly, and make safe, steady progress whenever conditions allow. Show good judgement in your decisions and maintain full control of the vehicle throughout. We are looking for a standard that goes beyond basic driving ability. The focus is on delivering a safe, smooth, and well-planned drive from start to finish, with consideration for fuel efficiency and overall road safety.
Kelly Swift, Driving Examiner
“I was lucky enough to be part of a great group who really came together to support each other through the ups and downs! We had a mixture of backgrounds and skills, which was an advantage as we brought different strengths and weaknesses.”
You’ve already got the skills
Driving Examiners are the people at the heart of our work. Coming from every background under the sun – from Forces to Retail – they form the backbone of DVSA services across the country.
Who can be a Driving Examiner?
If you’re 23, or over, have held a full manual driving license for a minimum of three years and have excellent customer service skills, and the ability to remain cool, calm and collected under pressure, then this could be perfect for you.
The people you test will be nervous, so you’ll need to have a reassuring, calm persona to put them at ease. Your knowledge, skills and judgement will determine if a candidate is ready and safe to take to the road alone, meaning you’ll need to be detail oriented, objective and efficient.
When you join us, you’ll undertake an intensive six-week training phase to make sure you’re up to speed. The training is fast paced, so you’ll need to dedicate yourself to it completely, but it will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed, and you will be supported at every stage.
What’s in it for me?
Driving Examiners are Civil Servants, so you’ll benefit from an outstanding benefits package. This includes generous annual leave, one of the best pensions in the country and a huge range of career development and progression opportunities.
DVSA’s Driving Examiners benefit from a working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance.
Our full-time examiners test 5 out of 7 days working a 37-hour week. If your application is successful, we are open to exploring alternative flexible and part-time working.
Find out more here:
Drive Assessment Guide
You will be assessed against 12 competencies during your Drive Assessment. Download the document below to learn more about the Assessment and the 12 competencies.
Nick Kimber, Driving Examiner
“My primary role is to conduct driving tests, making sure people meet the required standard to drive safely on our roads. I get to meet people from all walks of life and I become part of their learning to drive journey.”
Find out more about working for DVSA
You can find out more about working for us, including all the other benefits we have to offer, by using the links below:
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