Planning

Theory Test Services

DRIVER AND VEHICLE STANDARDS AGENCY

This public procurement record has 11 releases in its history.

Planning

28 Nov 2025 at 15:26

PlanningUpdate

16 Sep 2025 at 11:51

PlanningUpdate

05 Sep 2025 at 09:32

PlanningUpdate

03 Sep 2025 at 08:33

Planning

02 Sep 2025 at 11:12

PlanningUpdate

04 Apr 2025 at 09:30

PlanningUpdate

27 Mar 2025 at 13:00

PlanningUpdate

27 Mar 2025 at 12:58

PlanningUpdate

27 Mar 2025 at 12:57

PlanningUpdate

20 Mar 2025 at 16:53

Planning

20 Mar 2025 at 12:39

Summary of the contracting process

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), an executive agency of the Department for Transport in the UK, is engaged in the planning stage of a reprocurement process for Theory Test Services. The procurement, classified under services, is set in the UK with a contract worth approximately £300 million. This process aims to support the delivery of various Theory Tests that are prerequisite for taking the practical driving test, including Car, Motorcycle, and other vehicle-related certifications. Current market engagement activities are taking place to inform participants about the service design and commercial considerations, with a key deadline for market engagement activities by 31st March 2026. Potential suppliers are encouraged to register their interest, ensuring they receive updates about upcoming events which may include webinars and one-to-one meetings.

This tender presents lucrative opportunities for businesses involved in e-learning, software services, and IT solutions, particularly those capable of managing large-scale e-assessment operations. The procurement is suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), fostering inclusivity in the bidding process. Companies with expertise in software configuration, customer, and security services can significantly benefit from this tender. With the contract period planned to start on 5th September 2028, businesses are positioned to grow by contributing to an essential public service that facilitates the driving journey for millions annually.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Theory Test Services

Notice 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.

Planning Information

This notice is intended to inform interested parties of feedback from the second round of market engagement for the Theory Test Services procurement, and to give notice of upcoming market engagement events and activities. Events may include, but are not limited, to webinars, presentations, in person or virtual round tables, and one to one meetings with suppliers. Activities may include, but are no limited to, a series of Requests for Information (RFI’s) covering a range of topics where the DVSA may seek views from the market. The Thematic Analysis of the previous rounds of market engagement events (Event 1 - In Person Event 17.09.2025, Event 2 - 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. Details of all events and activities will be published via Jaggaer Requests for Information (RFI’s) will be distributed via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal shortly, and will inform DVSA’s approach to service design as well as it’s commercial considerations and procurement approach. Any interested parties can register their interest via the link above and will receive notifications when new market engagement events are added. Instructions for submitting responses are to be found within the RFI documentation. The market engagement events will inform final DVSA decision making around service scope and key aspects of the contract for the future service. 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. For all remaining market engagement activity in this procurement, the registration details on Jaggaer may be used to compile the list of interested persons to invite, without any further notice, and so please register now if you are interested in participating in any further engagement. Those interested parties who have already registered for previous rounds of market engagement for the T3 project on the Jaggaer eSourcing platform do not need to re-register, and will receive notifications via the platform informing them of upcoming events or activities.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04efa6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078188-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

48517000 - IT software package

72260000 - Software-related services

72265000 - Software configuration services

72820000 - Computer testing services

79342300 - Customer services

79710000 - Security services

80420000 - E-learning services

80490000 - Operation of an educational centre

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Nov 20256 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Sep 2028 - 4 Sep 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DRIVER AND VEHICLE STANDARDS AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialenquiries@dvsa.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS5 0DA
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Lawrence Hill
Westminster Constituency
Bristol East

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04efa6-2025-11-28T15:26:29Z",
    "date": "2025-11-28T15:26:29Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04efa6",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PTMM-2614-YJDV",
            "name": "Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PTMM-2614-YJDV"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Berkeley House, Croydon Street",
                "locality": "Bristol",
                "postalCode": "BS5 0DA",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK11"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "commercialenquiries@dvsa.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PTMM-2614-YJDV",
        "name": "Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "This notice is intended to inform interested parties of feedback from the second round of market engagement for the Theory Test Services procurement, and to give notice of upcoming market engagement events and activities. Events may include, but are not limited, to webinars, presentations, in person or virtual round tables, and one to one meetings with suppliers. Activities may include, but are no limited to, a series of Requests for Information (RFI's) covering a range of topics where the DVSA may seek views from the market. The Thematic Analysis of the previous rounds of market engagement events (Event 1 - In Person Event 17.09.2025, Event 2 - 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. Details of all events and activities will be published via Jaggaer Requests for Information (RFI's) will be distributed via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal shortly, and will inform DVSA's approach to service design as well as it's commercial considerations and procurement approach. Any interested parties can register their interest via the link above and will receive notifications when new market engagement events are added. Instructions for submitting responses are to be found within the RFI documentation. The market engagement events will inform final DVSA decision making around service scope and key aspects of the contract for the future service. 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. For all remaining market engagement activity in this procurement, the registration details on Jaggaer may be used to compile the list of interested persons to invite, without any further notice, and so please register now if you are interested in participating in any further engagement. Those interested parties who have already registered for previous rounds of market engagement for the T3 project on the Jaggaer eSourcing platform do not need to re-register, and will receive notifications via the platform informing them of upcoming events or activities.",
                "dueDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "010381-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010381-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-20T12:39:47Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "010518-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010518-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-20T16:53:06Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "011543-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011543-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-27T12:57:23Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "011545-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011545-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-27T12:58:33Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "011546-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011546-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-03-27T13:00:34Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "013002-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013002-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-04-04T10:30:00+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "053110-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053110-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-09-02T12:12:37+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "053383-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053383-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-09-03T09:33:47+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "054179-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054179-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-09-05T10:32:21+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "056933-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056933-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-09-16T12:51:54+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "078188-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078188-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-11-28T15:26:29Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "T280022751",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Theory Test Services",
        "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.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80420000",
                        "description": "E-learning services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80490000",
                        "description": "Operation of an educational centre"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72260000",
                        "description": "Software-related services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72265000",
                        "description": "Software configuration services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48517000",
                        "description": "IT software package"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79342300",
                        "description": "Customer services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79710000",
                        "description": "Security services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72820000",
                        "description": "Computer testing services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 300000000,
            "amount": 300000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2028-09-05T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2033-09-04T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2035-09-04T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "053383-2025",
                "description": "DVSA have made an amendment to the date of the engagement event, and have corrected a typing error on the value of the contract from PS3bn, to PS300m."
            },
            {
                "id": "054179-2025",
                "description": "DVSA have made an amendment to the date of the engagement event, and have corrected a typing error on the value of the contract from PS3bn, to PS300m. DVSA have provided the confirmed details of the in-person engagement event and how to register."
            },
            {
                "id": "056933-2025",
                "description": "DVSA have made an amendment to the date of the engagement event, and have corrected a typing error on the value of the contract from PS3bn, to PS300m. DVSA have provided the confirmed details of the in-person engagement event and how to register."
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        }
    },
    "language": "en"
}