GovWire

Some Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are planning to take strike action on 1 February 2023.

The strike action is part of national industrial action by the PCS union over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.

What services might be affected

The strike action might affect:

• driving tests and motorcycle tests
• approved driving instructor (ADI) and motorcycle instructor tests and checks
• MOT tester demonstration tests(these are special tests for people qualifying as an MOT tester)
• DVSAs customer service centre

The strike action will not affect:

• theory tests
• MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles

Driving tests with private test providers

Your test will not be affected by the strike action if youre taking it with a private test provider. This includes some:

• Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 3a (off-road exercise) tests
• Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests

Driving tests, motorcycle tests and instructor tests and checks

If you want to change your driving test date now

Not all examiners are PCS members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.

However, you can change your test to another date if you want to.

You must give at least 3 clear working days notice to change your test date, or youll have to pay again.

What to do if you do not change your driving test

You should go to your driving test appointment as planned if its on the date of strike action, unless DVSA contacts you to tell you not to go.

DVSA will call you to tell you what to do if youre taking an instructor test including:

• ADI part 2 (driving ability) tests
• ADI part 3 (instructional ability) tests
• ADI standards checks

If your driving test cannot go ahead

DVSA will automatically rebook your driving test for you if it cannot go ahead because of the strike action.

Youll be sent the new details within 5 to 10 working days. You do not need to contact DVSA.

Youll also be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses.

How to claim out-of-pocket expenses for a cancelled driving test

You can claim out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled. You must have turned up for your test to be able to do this.

The application form and guidance tell you what you can claim for.

Claim out-of-pocket expenses for a cancelled driving test.

MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles

MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles are not affected by the strike action. They will be taking place as planned.

Services for MOT testers

If youre an MOT tester with an MOT demonstration test booked on the dates of the strike action, you should still go for your appointment, unless DVSA contacts you to tell you not to go.

Not all vehicle examiners are PCS union members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.

DVSA will automatically rearrange your demonstration test if it cannot go ahead because of the strike action.

MOTs for HGVs, buses and trailers

You should go to your vehicle test appointment as planned if its on the date of strike action.

DVSA does not expect the strike action to affect MOTs for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses and trailers, but will not know for certain until the strike action takes place.

Not all DVSA staff are PCS union members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.

If your MOT cannot go ahead

You will need to book another appointment with an MOT centre if your test cannot go ahead because of the strike action.

Find an MOT centre for HGVs, buses and trailers.

Tell DVSA if you cannot book a new test if both of these apply to you:

• you have contacted your local test centres and have been unable to book a test
• your MOT expires this month or has already expired

Report that you cannot book an HGV, bus or trailer MOT.

If you manage an ATF

Contact your network business manager if a vehicle standards assessor has not attended your site within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time.

Vehicle approval tests

You should go to your vehicle approval test appointment as planned if its on the date of strike action, unless DVSA contacts you to tell you not to go.

Not all specialist vehicle standards assessors are PCS union members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.

If your vehicle approval test cannot go ahead DVSA will automatically rebook your vehicle approval test for you if it cannot go ahead because of the strike action

Youll be sent the new details. You do not need to contact DVSA.

DVSA customer service centre

DVSAs customer service centre might also be affected by the strike action.

The customer service centre will close at 4pm on Wednesday 1 February 2023.

Find out how to contact 