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The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched a procurement process that could eventually allow learner drivers to take their theory test from home.
The contracts, which cover three different regions of the UK, include provisions to “explore remote testing and proctoring technology in the delivery of the service”.
Proctoring in this context refers to the supervision of a formal test by a human proctor on site or, increasingly, through remote video monitoring and artificial intelligence tools.
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How the current network of testing centers works
The move comes as the DVSA seeks to address long-running delays that have left students waiting weeks or months for exam appointments.
Under the existing system, each of the three designated providers must comply with the DVSA’s ’40/40′ requirement.
The requirement stipulates that all people in towns and cities must be no more than 40 minutes from a testing centre. Those in rural areas must be within 40 miles of a testing center.
Providers will be responsible for providing a responsive scheduling system that offers a real-time, six-month view of testing availability.
They must also conduct on-site surveillance to maintain test integrity, detect and deter fraud, and support incident reporting.
Each test center requires secure hardware and software, local server capacity, resilient network connectivity and CCTV equipment.
The DVSA has identified a number of potential future developments that can be explored over the course of the initial seven-year contract, which will come into force in September 2028.
At-home testing is not currently offered due to the increased risk of cheating or fraud, but the agency is now open to exploring technological solutions.
The contracts also provide for the exploration of the use of an end-to-end cloud architecture in the provision of the service.
Other possibilities include adding broader government testing or other Department of Transportation testing to service delivery, enhanced identification verification, and allowing validation of digital driver’s licenses.
The total cumulative value of these contracts is estimated at £735 million, including VAT.
This breaks down into a £235m deal for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England.
A £285 million deal covers Wales and the west of England, while a £215 million partnership serves London and the east.
The DVSA will hold an online supplier engagement event next week, and businesses will have until midday on May 5 to submit an initial qualification questionnaire.
Contracts are expected to be awarded by the end of February 2027, followed by a service implementation period of just over a year before services go live in September 2028.
The agreements will be valid until 2035, with a possible extension of two more years.
The prospect of taking theory tests at home looks promising for students frustrated by long waiting times.
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