We are the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and we are one of the four executive agencies that make up the Department for Transport.
We employ approximately 4,600 people across Great Britain to help us achieve our goals of keeping Britain’s roads safe.
What we do at DVSA
Choosing a career with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is one of the most fulfilling decisions you could make. The work we do is varied, exciting and makes a real difference to people living in the UK.
We carry out driving tests, approve people to be driving instructors and MOT testers, carry out tests to make sure lorries and buses are safe to drive, carry out roadside checks on drivers and vehicles, and monitor vehicle recalls.
Our work is split into three themes:
- Helping you through a lifetime of safe driving
- Helping you keep your vehicle safe to drive
- Protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles
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DVSA’s Responsibilities
Great Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world, but every death and accident on the roads causes disruption, devastation and distress.
We want to stop them from happening. That’s why our vision is for safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer journeys for all.
We do this by:
- carrying out theory and driving tests for people who want to drive cars, motorcycles, lorries, buses, coaches, and specialist vehicles.
- approving people to be driving instructors and motorcycle trainers, making sure they provide good-quality training.
- approving people to be MOT testers and the centres they work in. We also test lorries, buses and coaches ourselves.
- carrying out roadside checks on commercial drivers to make sure they follow safety rules and keep their vehicles safe to drive.
- monitoring recalls of vehicles, parts and accessories to make sure that manufacturers fix problems quickly.
- approving training courses for qualified drivers, such as Driver Certificate of Professional Competence for coach and lorry drivers, and drink-drive rehabilitation courses.
- supporting the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain and Northern Ireland transport regulator, registering local bus services and licensing and monitoring companies who operate lorries, buses and coaches.
You can make a difference at DVSA
Whether you’re at the start of your career, an experienced professional or want a change of career, we have a range of roles to suit your aspirations.
Around 4,600 people work at DVSA, within a variety of interesting and rewarding roles.
If you are passionate about:
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Providing services and protecting the public
Nationwide, around two thirds of our people work in roles directly providing services to the public and businesses, and protecting public safety. They include:
• driving examiners carrying out driving tests
• vehicle standards assessors carrying out annual tests (MOTs) on lorries, buses and coaches
• traffic and vehicle examiners carrying out roadside checks, protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles
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Creating and running world-class digital services
DVSA is in an exciting phase of digital exploration and innovation. Over the next few years, our multidisciplinary digital teams will overhaul and update our digital services for our customers, stakeholders and staff. All our digital work underpins the services we provide to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads. Our digital teams include people working in:
• agile project management
• design
• product management
• software engineering
• technical architecture
• user research
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Providing professional corporate services
Staff in our corporate offices work across a range of professions to make sure our services run smoothly. They support our frontline staff, as well as working with government and other stakeholders to ensure we achieve our strategic priorities. Our corporate service teams include people working in:
- communications
- customer insight and research
- customer service
- estates and facilities
- finance and procurement
- human resources
- policy and strategy
- portfolio, programme & project management
Driving Examiners
Driving examiners improve road safety by making sure new drivers have the skills to be safe on the road.
We meet lots of different people every day, and we help to put them at ease when they’re nervous.
Amanda Lane, Operational Delivery
“My role is to lead an area, of over 120 people, to deliver driving tests and annual vehicle tests.”
Nick Kimber, Driving Examiner
“I get to use all of my customer service skills as well as my In depth knowledge of driving and rules of the road.”
Vehicle Standards Assessors
Vehicle standards assessors improve road safety by testing lorries, buses and trailers, ensuring they are safe and legal to drive.
We’re the recognised experts in vehicle safety standards, and we provide a high quality service to businesses, giving them advice on keeping their vehicles safe to drive.
Adam Shelton, Testing Network Mgr
“Embracing technological advances has greatly improved the service for our customers. The DVSA values their staff…”
Dilshad Mahmud, Technical Team Leader
“To be a TTL you don’t just need to mechanically minded… you need to have a great customer focus and a high level…”
Traffic and Vehicle Examiners
Traffic examiners improve road safety by stopping and checking that drivers of large vehicles meet safety rules.
We work at roadside locations, our own enforcement sites, coach parks, motorway service areas, and even as part of mobile police patrols.
Christian Jones, Vehicle Examiner
“You gain an instinct for when something’s not right. It’s rewarding to trust your intuition and discover a driver has been trying to hide…”
Della Read, Enforcement Delivery
“What makes my job exciting is knowing we are pro-actively helping to keep people safe on the roads by dealing with non-compliant…”
Bring your whole self to work
Our people are our main asset. Their commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism are critical to our success in helping everyone stay safe on Britain’s roads.
We aim to:
- provide a workplace where our people are engaged in their work
- be an inclusive, supportive employer with a workforce that reflects the communities we serve
- be a forward-thinking organisation that welcomes innovative ideas and empowers staff to make the right decisions
- be a place where people are actively encouraged and supported in their learning
- be a digitally enabled and data driven organisation whose people embrace change and continuous improvement
At DVSA, you can bring your whole self to work. We value equality and diversity in our workforce, and we’re committed to the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. We aim to be an organisation where fairness and equal opportunity is central to our culture.
Different people, one team
As well as being a DCS employer , we are proud to be participants of the Race at Work Charter within Business in the Community, members of the Business Disability Forum, The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, ENEI and Employers for Carers.
DVSA are proud to be members of EIDA (Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse) and to work collaboratively with a wide variety of sectors in tackling the issue of domestic abuse, by raising awareness and supporting those experiencing and perpetrating Domestic Abuse.
To support DVSA in becoming a more inclusive employer we have five well-established staff network groups. They’re run by colleagues who understand the experiences of staff with certain characteristics. They exist to make the voices, talents and concerns of their members heard and seen.
The groups help to make DVSA a more inclusive place to work, by influencing and developing policy. And they promote a culture of inclusion, allowing colleagues to bring the best of their whole self to work.
Click through our staff network groups below to learn more about each!
embRACE
What we do
We support our Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues at DVSA.
How we’ve made changes
We’ve worked with HR colleagues to make inclusive improvements to recruitment and attraction including getting trained up to become members on selection panels and we’ve introduced our own Yammer group communicating with colleagues to raise the profile of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic history and experiences
Enabled
What we do
We represent DVSA’s disabled colleagues
How we’ve made changes
We created a guide to support line managers of individuals with disabilities, played a key role in supporting plans for DVSA’s Festival of Respect, provided key insight to assist the Agency in its equality screenings for new policies and services, improved and streamlined equality screening arrangements and worked with our driving test policy department to develop guidance for assessing driving test candidates with autism.
Pride
What we do
We represent our LGBT+ members of staff
How we’ve made changes
We were instrumental in making our employee services App available on employee iPads which allows colleagues to input their diversity details helping to increase LGBT+ declaration rates. This means we can now understand the experience of LGBT+ colleagues and decide where to focus our energies to further improve the experience of LGBT+ colleagues in DVSA. We’ve also set up weekly support calls for our Allies and Associates to ensure everyone had a safe place to talk/offload if they needed to.
Time2Care
What we do
We represent our DVSA colleagues who are carers.
How we’ve made changes
We drafted a Carer’s Policy, new Carer’s Passport, promote workplace adjustments and overall support for Carer’s.
Time2Care recently conducted a survey across the Agency to gain better understanding of the issues colleagues face with their caring responsibilities so that we can ensure we focus our efforts on the issues which really matter to carers.
Women’s Integrated Network
What we do
We represent women working at DVSA
How we’ve made changes
We’ve raised awareness of menopause and issued guidance for staff; helped provide support to pregnant staff and parents returning to the workplace, raised awareness of domestic abuse, contributing to the domestic abuse charter, raised money for charities, and we’re helping to look at reducing the gender pay gap.
The benefits of working for Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
We look after our people! You’ve got lots to offer us – and we’ve got lots to offer you in return.
As an employee at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency you’ll have access to one of the most competitive pension schemes in the UK. We also offer lots of incentives to help you maintain the perfect work-life balance.
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Reveal the full list of benefits of a career at the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency!
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by one a day a year up to 30 days
- Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of at least 30.3%
- flexible working including part-time working and job sharing
- help and support with your home / work life balance
- tax-free childcare
- at least 5 training days a year to support your learning and development
- apprenticeships in a range of areas – from providing services to the public, to expert corporate services.
- season ticket loan for travel
- cycle to work scheme
- special performance rewards
- physiotherapy scheme with a free assessment and up to 5 free sessions
- money off and cashback offers
- 3 days paid leave a year for voluntary work
- study leave
- gym membership discounts
Your health and well-being
We are committed to taking care of your long-term health and well-being. When you work for us, we’ll make you feel part of something special. We’re an organisation where you can make a real difference, where colleagues become friends, where you can fulfil your potential, and directly contribute to achieving safer journeys for all.
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Click here to reveal how DVSA can help maintain your long-term health and well-being.
With a career at DVSA, you’ll be eligible for:
- free flu jab each year
- free eyesight test
- access to a team of mental health first aiders and wellbeing champions
- support for workplace adjustments
- our employee assistance programme, which offers counselling, legal information, debt and money management support services to all staff
- in-house team of trained mediators
- help and support from the Charity for Civil Servants
- Health Screening
- Physiotherapy scheme with a free assessment and up to 5 free sessions
Developing your career
No matter what job you do for DVSA, we are fully committed to your personal development. You’ll agree your personal development plan with your manager, so you’re clear on what skills you need to work on for your current role, and to develop your career. And as an employee of DVSA, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a range of talent schemes to increase your skills, knowledge and confidence.
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Click here to reveal the opportunities for learning and development you have as a DVSA employee
You’ll get at least 5 days a year to devote to your learning and development. Including:
- Training courses
- On-the-job learning
- Qualifications and accreditation
- Job shadowing
- eLearning
- Coaching and mentoring
Apprenticeships at DVSA
Here at DVSA we are committed to developing our staff and supporting them to reach their full potential. Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for our people to grow their skills, develop and learn, whilst working within an innovative organisation, committed to Keeping Britain’s Roads Safe.
Apprenticeships are enabling DVSA to create a diverse and skilled workforce, helping staff to discover their talent and receive recognised qualifications.
We offer a variety of Apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7 in a multitude of professions where you will be fully supported.
No matter what you do or where you start, have a look at what apprenticeships can do for you.
Two of our apprentices, Tia and Trust have written about their experience below:
DVSA apprentice, Tia Bailey
“I have almost completed my second year as a Vehicle Standards Assessor Apprentice. When I applied for this role, I was working at Asda…”
DVSA apprentice, Trust Dube
“I joined the Training and Development team in September 2018 as a Solutions Specialist apprentice. I had previously worked as part…”