Planning

DVSA Publishing Services with The Highway Code and The Highway Code for Northern Ireland

DRIVER AND VEHICLE STANDARDS AGENCY

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

09 Mar 2026 at 14:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

12 Feb 2026 at 10:49

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

22 Dec 2025 at 11:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

13 Nov 2025 at 12:11

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

20 Aug 2025 at 14:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Jul 2025 at 15:00

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Jul 2025 at 14:39

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is progressing through the planning stage for its procurement process to appoint an Official Publisher for its DVSA Publishing Services, specifically focusing on The Highway Code and The Highway Code for Northern Ireland. The industry category is publishing services, which falls under business services such as law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security. A pre-market engagement webinar is scheduled for 18th March 2026, to provide an overview and details regarding the procurement approach. This event serves as a voluntary platform for interested suppliers to gain insights and clarifications regarding the opportunity before entering the formal process. The contract is to commence on 7th January 2027, with a potential duration extending until 2034, subject to renewal options.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in publishing services to partner with a central government authority, potentially facilitating innovations in publishing and expanding new revenue streams. Given the focus on digital and print publishing of official UK road safety materials, businesses that offer comprehensive publishing solutions, including e-learning and app development, stand to gain from this initiative. The contract encourages participation from SMEs and VCSEs, making it accessible to smaller enterprises eager to compete in a significant yet niche market. Additionally, the strategic collaboration aimed at promoting positive behavioural changes among vehicle operators aligns with the DVSA's Vision to 2030, contributing to lasting industry relationships and enhanced public service. The open procedure provides an inclusive procurement method for qualified entities across the UK.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

DVSA Publishing Services with The Highway Code and The Highway Code for Northern Ireland

Notice Description

The contract assigns the winning bidder as the Official Publisher of DVSA's commercial publishing products including apps, e-learning, books/e-books. We are allowed to do this under a Delegation of Authority to manage Crown copyright assets from the Keeper of the Public Record at The National Archives. The contract covers DVSA's statutory duty to Publish the Official Highway Code in print, as well as commercial publications. These are the definitive guides that support industry and the general road-using public in meeting and maintaining DVSA's standards. The contract will support the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and - new to this retender - the Department for Transport publications stemming from Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. This brings all the source materials for UK driving theory under one contract. The parties will work together to innovate new products to inform, educate and advise, promoting positive behaviour change and compliance that goes beyond the Highway Code and drivers and riders. We aim also to reach MOT testers, dangerous goods drivers and managers, commercial operators and employers of drivers to realise commitments in the DVSA Vision to 2030 and create new income streams. The contract value is based on the total income generated over the maximum 7 years.

Planning Information

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will be holding an online Microsoft teams pre-market engagement webinar on 18th March 2026, from 2:00PM - 3:00PM. The webinar is aimed at suppliers who are interested in the DVSA Publishing Services with The Highway Code and The Highway Code for Northern Ireland concession opportunity. This virtual session, hosted on Microsoft Teams, will provide suppliers with an update on the planned procurement approach alongside an overview of the main elements of the requirement as well as additional information. Suppliers wishing to attend the online webinar, should use the following link to register for the event and join the discussion: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2fa26356-0223-4e90-8c20-009d663a6946@a455b827-244f-4c97-b5b4-ce5d13b4d00c Attendance at the session is voluntary and will not affect a supplier’s ability to bid for the opportunity once the formal procurement process begins. There are no limits on the number of attendees from each supplier. Any clarifications relating to the engagement event should be sent through Jaggaer, the Department for Transport's eSourcing platform. A recording of the event will be uploaded after the event and can be found on Department for Transport's portal here: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/9193366801987970425B To view the recording, please log in and navigate to the 'Details' section. Then, click on 'Attachments' and locate the recording under the 'Visible to Suppliers' folder.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056178
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020958-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

79970000 - Publishing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£40,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Jan 2027 - 6 Jan 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DRIVER AND VEHICLE STANDARDS AGENCY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

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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. 

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