Theory Test Services

Procurement reference

T280022751

Procurement description

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT), will be completing some Early Market Engagement (EME) for the Theory Test Services reprocurement. 

The UK Theory Test is a statutory service owned by the DVSA that is the prerequisite in the driving learner journey to taking the practical test. The Test is made up of two test elements, the Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) and Hazard Perception Test (HPT). It is the largest e-assessment in the UK, undertaking at present approximately 3.6 million tests per annum.

The service contains 16 different types of Theory Test, including: Car, Motorcycle, Large Goods Vehicles, Passenger Carrying Vehicles, Certificate of Professional Competence, Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), Enhance Rider Scheme, Examiner Car. Encompassed further within this are the additional testing types within the Northern Ireland Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) service, which are Taxi, ADI and Approved Motorcycle Instructor tests.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UK - United Kingdom

Total value (estimated)

300000000.00 GBP Excluding VAT

3000000000.00 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

05 September 2028, 00:00AM to 04 September 2033, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 04 September 2035

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 80420000 - E-learning services
• 80490000 - Operation of an educational centre
• 72260000 - Software-related services
• 72265000 - Software configuration services
• 48517000 - IT software package
• 79342300 - Customer services
• 79710000 - Security services
• 72820000 - Computer testing services

Delivery regions

• UK - United Kingdom

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

05 September 2028, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

04 September 2033, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

04 September 2035, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Engagement process description

This notice is intended to inform interested parties of feedback from the initial round of market engagement for the Theory Test Services procurement, release a series of Requests for Information (RFI), and to give notice of upcoming market engagement events.

The Thematic Analysis of the previous rounds of market engagement events (Event 1 - Webinar 26.03.2025, Event 2 - In Person Event 02.04.2025, Event 3 - Supplier 1-1 sessions) can be found on the Department for Transport's (DfT) portal here:

https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/467321710195D762A51D

To view the documents please navigate to the attachments section of the PQQ when logged in.

The purpose of the RFI is to test DVSA's current thinking and assumptions around service design and commercial considerations and has been issued via the DfT's portal on 02.09.2025. These can be accessed by following the above link and navigating to the attachments section of the PQQ when logged in. Instructions for submitting reponses can be found within the RFI documentation. The market engagement event is to inform final DVSA decision making around service scope and key aspects of the contract for the future service.

There will be the opportunity to attend a one to one session with DVSA subject matter experts to discuss the questions posed in the RFIs which will take place between 08.09.2025 - 16.09.2025. Sessions will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams, details of how to attend a one to one session can be found in the RFI documentation.

This will be followed by an in person event hosted by DVSA in Nottingham on 18.09.2025, in which DVSA will present the findings of the RFI to interested parties and seek to gain the views of interested parties on the DVSA's proposed direction of travel. Details of how to access the in person event will be made available via the Department for Transports Jaggaer portal.

All communications will be via the Jaggaer platform, if there are any complications with registering on Jaggaer, please contact the Jaggaer helpdesk in the first instance for support.

Due date

24 October 2025, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No