Across the UK, DVSA examiners oversaw 1.8 million tests, in addition to 80,000 vocational tests for public service and large goods vehicles, plus 125,000 practical motorcycle tests.
The figures cover a year in which the driving test underwent its most significant changes of recent times, with a new test – including a section on sat nav use – brought in last December.
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The impressive statistics are being distributed by the DVSA to test centres across the country, as part of 8,000 brochures which guide drivers through the examination process, and outline the roles of its staff.
Together with the police and various road safety groups, the DVSA has played a crucial role in a 44% reduction in road deaths in the decade to 2016 – a key focus of the modernised test.
The DVSA’s Chief Driving Examiner, Lesley Young, says the number of tests being sat goes down as a “huge achievement.”
“DVSA's priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving, and this is exactly what each one of our almost-2000-strong team of driver and rider examiners does every time they conduct a driving or motorbike test,” she adds.
“I am proud of the work our staff do in making Britain’s roads safer, conducting the extra tests to bring waiting times down, on top of the successful introduction of the new driving test last December is a huge achievement.”
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Speaking of what was undoubtedly a busy year, Andy Lee, a driving examiner in Bristol said: “It’s been a really challenging year, in a good way, with very few gaps in our work.
“The introduction of the new test along with being able to keep waiting times down was a proud achievement.”
DVSA is shortly to launch a recruitment-driving campaign for examiners, with the aim of further bringing down already-reduced waiting times at driving test centres.
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