Trials of automated vehicles must be undertaken in line with the requirements set out in the Automated Vehicle Trialling Code of Practice. Trialling organisations must have a safety driver monitoring both the road traffic environment and vehicle systems so that they may resume proper control if necessary.

The Code should be used by trialling organisations in conjunction with detailed knowledge of the legal, regulatory and technological landscape, ensuring they are compliant with all relevant UK law.

To trial vehicles without a safety driver, companies must obtain an exemption from existing regulations through a Vehicle Special Order. And in order to operate a passenger carrying service, companies are also expected to obtain an Automated Passenger Services permit.

Should a company submit an application to operate a without a safety driver, the Department would conduct an extensive safety and security assessment which would include scrutiny of operational resilience and data management.

Drivers who notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of an underlying medical condition that may affect their vision are required to have a visual field test conducted.

Examinations by Specsavers are carried out to the exact specifications required to enable the DVLA to assess whether the visual field requirements for driving can be met.

If drivers choose to get your eyesight test from somewhere else, you can submit the results of an eyesight test done by another optician as long as it includes an ‘Esterman visual test’. DVLA do not guarantee they will accept an eyesight test done by other opticians.

Information about driving eyesight rules can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules.

The DVLA’s contract with Specsavers for vision testing services provides coverage across Great Britain. Specsavers is working to increase the number of stores available to carry out eyesight tests. In the meantime Specsavers may also utilise local opticians for customers who live more than 25 miles from their nearest Specsavers branch, for example those living in rural or semi-rural areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regularly publishes data on MOT failures by vehicle type and failure category. Vehicle noise is included within ‘noise, emissions and leaks’.

The full MOT dataset is also available on GOV.UK in anonymised form, so users can carry out their own analysis.

For vehicles and motorcycles, the current visual and audible check as part of the MOT is sufficient to confirm an exhaust is properly silenced, as accurate exhaust noise measurements are not considered practical to measure accurately at all MOT test centres.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regularly publishes data on MOT failures by vehicle type and failure category. Vehicle noise is included within ‘noise, emissions and leaks’.

The full MOT dataset is also available on GOV.UK in anonymised form, so users can carry out their own analysis.

For vehicles and motorcycles, the current visual and audible check as part of the MOT is sufficient to confirm an exhaust is properly silenced, as accurate exhaust noise measurements are not considered practical to measure accurately at all MOT test centres.

The Department understands that rising inflation and operational costs have put pressure on garages.

It is not possible to determine the number of MOT testing centres that have ‘closed’ since 2010 as sites might cease testing and then resume testing at a later date, sometimes under new ownership.

The Department keeps the MOT regime, including the fee and the provision of service in all areas of Great Britain under review. Any consideration of changes must balance the needs of garages and their ability to invest against the interests of drivers in receiving value from the MOT.

Exhaust noise is currently tested subjectively during the MOT test. The tester must consider if exhaust noise from the vehicle is unreasonably above the noise level you’d expect from a similar vehicle with a standard silencer in average condition. If they believe it is unreasonably above the expected decibel level the vehicle should be failed.

In 2023 the Department published a call for evidence about potential updates to the MOT test including the use of a decibel meter to measure exhaust noise. Although there was some support for introducing such a test a number of issues were also raised. These included the cost of additional testing machines, identifying the appropriate noise level for each vehicle, and the difficulty of testing consistently in a noisy garage.

The driver licensing framework in Great Britain is designed to be balanced and proportionate. Drivers of all ages are legally required to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition, or if an existing condition worsens, that may affect their ability to drive.

Driving licences expire at the age of 70 and must be renewed every three years thereafter. This renewal process provides a regular opportunity for older drivers to consider their health and fitness to drive, recognising that health and vision may deteriorate with age.

All drivers are responsible for ensuring that they meet the statutory eyesight standards, including the use of corrective lenses where required. Where a driver declares a medical condition that may affect vision, the DVLA may require a vision assessment, which can be accessed for free at Specsavers. These examinations are conducted in accordance with DVLA specifications to determine whether the legal visual standards are met. Drivers can submit the results of an eyesight test done by another optician as long as it includes an ‘Esterman visual test’.

Depending on the outcome of the assessment and the information provided, a driver may retain their licence, be issued with a time-limited licence subject to ongoing review, or where an individual does not meet the required standards, their driving licence will be revoked or their application refused.

Further information on the eyesight standards for driving is available on the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules. The Department for Transport is currently consulting on proposals to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and over. Further details are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-strategy and https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) supervises the delivery of light vehicle MOTs in Great Britain through its approved MOT garages. However, as these are private garages, DVSA does not collate overall data on the volume and cost of missed MOT appointments.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) already include clear messaging on the required eyesight standards for driving and the importance of regular eyesight tests on reminders, application forms, information leaflets and online guidance provided as part of the driving licence renewal process.

The published guidance also sets out the legal requirement to be able to read a number plate at 20 metres, to meet the minimum visual acuity and visual field standards for driving and the requirement to notify the DVLA of any relevant eye conditions.

Following an open and fair competition, the current contract for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) required eyesight tests was awarded to Specsavers in February 2025 and commenced on 1 April 2025. The contract is for three years, with the option to extend for two further oneyear periods. The DVLA will consider its future requirements for eyesight testing prior to the expiry of the current contract period. ‑year periods. The DVLA will consider its future requirements for eyesight testing prior to the expiry of the current contract.

The DVLA will consider the results of vision tests carried out by an optometrist or ophthalmologist other than Specsavers. However, such arrangements are at an individual’s own expense and the test must be carried out to the required specifications. If the test does not meet the appropriate specifications, the applicant may still be asked to attend a further examination with Specsavers.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s contract with Specsavers for vision testing services provide coverage across England, Wales and Scotland, with 436 stores able to perform the services required.

Specsavers is working to increase the number of stores available to carry out eyesight tests by supplying them with the appropriate equipment.

Specsavers may utilise local opticians for customers who live more than 25 miles from their nearest Specsavers branch, for example those living in rural or semi rural areas.

There are fourteen mobility centres in operation in the UK. Four are managed by NHS Trusts, and nine by charitable organisations, with one Community Interest Company. The Department for Transport provides grant funding to mobility centres that have been accredited by Driving Mobility in England, and we work closely with them.

We take this issue very seriously and the department is committed to supporting everyone to travel safely. The Department for Transport provides grant funding to mobility centres that have been accredited by Driving Mobility in England. Where a mobility centre is closed by its provider, including where this is the NHS, we work with the wider mobility centres network and Driving Mobility to help maintain geographical coverage. Our priority remains safeguarding patient safety and continuity of assessments.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is continually recruiting in to fill its ADI examiner vacancies and increase the capacity for additional part two and part three tests.

DVSA has recently undertaken a campaign to recruit an additional 10 examiners this financial year with additional campaigns planned for 2026-27.

DVSA recommends trainee instructors use the ‘Book to Hold’ service. All tests must be paid for at the time of booking, including where tests are booked to ‘hold’. This gives DVSA an accurate picture of where demand is, and it can then ensure that it deploys its examiner resources in the right areas. Once approved driving instructor examiner programmes have been finalised, DVSA will contact those on the hold list in the order they booked their test to hold to arrange a test whilst also mindful of regulatory deadline for the qualification process.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is responsible for ensuring that all drivers meet the medical standards required for safe driving, including for eyesight. Drivers who notify the DVLA of a medical condition that may affect their eyesight may be asked to have a formal vision test. These tests are conducted by Specsavers on behalf of the DVLA. The current contract for this purpose was awarded to Specsavers in February 2025 following a competitive tender exercise. There are no plans to introduce a national register of opticians licensed to carry out these tests.

Neither the Department for Transport nor the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which administers the MOT scheme, collects or holds data on waiting times for MOT appointments. The MOT test is delivered by a network of around 23,000 privately operated garages across Great Britain. Based on available evidence, there appears to be sufficient capacity within this network to meet demand.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has no specific plans to prioritise vehicles commissioned for essential purposes, but should there be a specific need, DVSA would consider this in a similar way to actions taken during the pandemic. DVSA would welcome contact from any customers who are believe they have a specific requirement in relation to essential service vehicles.

DVSA understands the customer base for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing and continue to ensure its network supports those customers and meets their needs. In addition, DVSA is planning a network of vehicle examination facilities that are approved customer sites. This will increase the number of sites nationally where Vehicle Approvals can be conducted.

DVSA is increasing the number of locations where IVA checks can be carried out and ensuring that it has flexibility to meet customer demand. When DVSA is considering the closure of its own testing facilities, DVSA will also ensure suitable service provision is still provided.

The number of Specialist Vehicle Standards Assessors (SVSAs) who conduct IVA testing is shown below.

Northern England and Scotland – 11 SVSAs

Southern England and Southwest – 10 SVSAs

Eastern England and the Southeast – 9 SVSAs

West Midlands and Wales – 12 SVSAs

DVSA can deploy Specialist Standard Assessors on a national basis where required, in response to customer demand.

DVSA is also in the process of recruiting a further six SVSA’s. In line with demand. DVSA keeps recruitment or multi-skilling of existing teams to increase flexibility under review.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has no specific plans to prioritise vehicles commissioned for essential purposes, but should there be a specific need, DVSA would consider this in a similar way to actions taken during the pandemic. DVSA would welcome contact from any customers who are believe they have a specific requirement in relation to essential service vehicles.

DVSA understands the customer base for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing and continue to ensure its network supports those customers and meets their needs. In addition, DVSA is planning a network of vehicle examination facilities that are approved customer sites. This will increase the number of sites nationally where Vehicle Approvals can be conducted.

DVSA is increasing the number of locations where IVA checks can be carried out and ensuring that it has flexibility to meet customer demand. When DVSA is considering the closure of its own testing facilities, DVSA will also ensure suitable service provision is still provided.

The number of Specialist Vehicle Standards Assessors (SVSAs) who conduct IVA testing is shown below.

Northern England and Scotland – 11 SVSAs

Southern England and Southwest – 10 SVSAs

Eastern England and the Southeast – 9 SVSAs

West Midlands and Wales – 12 SVSAs

DVSA can deploy Specialist Standard Assessors on a national basis where required, in response to customer demand.

DVSA is also in the process of recruiting a further six SVSA’s. In line with demand. DVSA keeps recruitment or multi-skilling of existing teams to increase flexibility under review.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has no specific plans to prioritise vehicles commissioned for essential purposes, but should there be a specific need, DVSA would consider this in a similar way to actions taken during the pandemic. DVSA would welcome contact from any customers who are believe they have a specific requirement in relation to essential service vehicles.

DVSA understands the customer base for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing and continue to ensure its network supports those customers and meets their needs. In addition, DVSA is planning a network of vehicle examination facilities that are approved customer sites. This will increase the number of sites nationally where Vehicle Approvals can be conducted.

DVSA is increasing the number of locations where IVA checks can be carried out and ensuring that it has flexibility to meet customer demand. When DVSA is considering the closure of its own testing facilities, DVSA will also ensure suitable service provision is still provided.

The number of Specialist Vehicle Standards Assessors (SVSAs) who conduct IVA testing is shown below.

Northern England and Scotland – 11 SVSAs

Southern England and Southwest – 10 SVSAs

Eastern England and the Southeast – 9 SVSAs

West Midlands and Wales – 12 SVSAs

DVSA can deploy Specialist Standard Assessors on a national basis where required, in response to customer demand.

DVSA is also in the process of recruiting a further six SVSA’s. In line with demand. DVSA keeps recruitment or multi-skilling of existing teams to increase flexibility under review.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has no specific plans to prioritise vehicles commissioned for essential purposes, but should there be a specific need, DVSA would consider this in a similar way to actions taken during the pandemic. DVSA would welcome contact from any customers who are believe they have a specific requirement in relation to essential service vehicles.

DVSA understands the customer base for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing and continue to ensure its network supports those customers and meets their needs. In addition, DVSA is planning a network of vehicle examination facilities that are approved customer sites. This will increase the number of sites nationally where Vehicle Approvals can be conducted.

DVSA is increasing the number of locations where IVA checks can be carried out and ensuring that it has flexibility to meet customer demand. When DVSA is considering the closure of its own testing facilities, DVSA will also ensure suitable service provision is still provided.

The number of Specialist Vehicle Standards Assessors (SVSAs) who conduct IVA testing is shown below.

Northern England and Scotland – 11 SVSAs

Southern England and Southwest – 10 SVSAs

Eastern England and the Southeast – 9 SVSAs

West Midlands and Wales – 12 SVSAs

DVSA can deploy Specialist Standard Assessors on a national basis where required, in response to customer demand.

DVSA is also in the process of recruiting a further six SVSA’s. In line with demand. DVSA keeps recruitment or multi-skilling of existing teams to increase flexibility under review.