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 6 releases in its history.

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 planning a procurement for publishing services encompassing The Highway Code and related publications across the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. This procurement process, currently in the planning stage, is classified under business services and publishing services, and is set to begin on 7th January 2027, with the contract lasting until 6th January 2032, potentially extending to 2034. The procurement will follow an open procedure, suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, and plans to commence communication with prospective suppliers by 10th April 2026. The DVSA, a central government public authority, aims to enable innovative product development, which supports both statutory duties and commercial objectives, with a total contract value of up to £48 million.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses involved in publishing, digital content creation, and educational materials, particularly those capable of handling Crown copyright assets. Firms can enhance their portfolios by collaborating on official DVSA products that target a wide audience, including motorists, industry professionals, and road safety advocates. SMEs and social enterprises are encouraged to participate, leveraging this contract to gain visibility in the public sector, expand service offerings, and generate new income streams aligned with the DVSA's Vision to 2030. Companies with experience in publishing, app development, e-learning, and consulting can find this tender advantageous for growth and market expansion.

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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 event on 24th July 2025, from 10:30 to 12:30. Should suppliers wish to receive an invitation to this event, please email commercialenquiries@dvsa.gov.uk with the subject line: Publishing Services supplier engagement event and an invitation and further details will be sent to interested parties. How to Attend: Please note that this event has now passed. A recording of the event can be found on Department for Transport's portal here: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/727525250198BCC4F2ED 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/012748-2026
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
12 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Apr 20262 months to go
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
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

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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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