Our vision is for safer drivers, safer vehicles, and safer journeys for all. We help keep vehicles safe to drive by providing vehicle testing
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- Every day, DVSA’s vehicle standards assessors play a vital role in keeping Britain’s roads safe. If you're looking for a career that combines technical expertise with real purpose, this could be the role for you.
- As a vehicle standards assessor, you’ll have access to excellent employment benefits, including a lease car and the latest technology to support you in your role.
- From day one, you’ll have everything you need to succeed.
- You’ll work directly with customers, providing a professional and supportive service. It’s about building positive relationships whilst maintaining the highest standards, greeting customers, explaining the testing process clearly, and ensuring they feel informed every step of the way.
- The core of the role is testing a variety of vehicles, from heavy goods vehicles to passenger service vehicles and those carrying dangerous goods.
- You’ll conduct detailed, hands-on assessments using specialist equipment and the latest digital tools. Every test you complete helps ensure road safety for everyone.
- Communication is key. You’ll explain test outcomes clearly to customers, talk through results, and ensure they fully understand any next steps or documentation needed.
- We’re committed to your development from the start. You’ll receive a comprehensive 16-week training programme that equips you with all the skills needed to carry out the role competently. And it doesn’t stop there.
- We provide ongoing support with five days of training per year through our continuous professional development programme.
- You’ll join a welcoming, diverse team where your managers are there to support you every step of the way. As you grow in the role, there are plenty of opportunities to specialise and progress your career.
- You could focus on approvals work, become an expert in kit cars or motorbikes, or work with special vehicle builds. The path you take is up to you.
- Join DVSA as a vehicle standards assessor and build a rewarding career where you’ll develop professionally, work with cutting-edge technology, and make a real difference to road safety across the country.
- To find out more and apply, search DVSA jobs.
Being a DVSA Vehicle Standards Assessor
As a DVSA vehicle standards assessor, you will make a vital contribution to road safety and standards by keeping the public safe on Britain’s roads. You will do this by conducting technical examinations on vehicles to ensure they meet legal roadworthiness requirements, using your technical knowledge and experience to identify defects and determine whether a vehicle is legally compliant.
You will carry out annual test inspections on lorries, buses, coaches, and trailers. You will be deployed from home and work out of a number of third-party customer premises called Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs).
Responsibilities of a Vehicle Standards Assessor may include:
- keeping up to date with new procedures relating to the job role, such as relevant legislation and DVSA policy
- conducting annual test inspections for all vehicles, recording results digitally and issuing documentation
- being responsible for decisions and explaining outcomes, ensuring the customer understands
- working flexibly in line with the operating model
- taking part in regular team meetings
- maintaining good partnering relationships within the testing network
- contributing to the work of the whole team to meet goals
- advising and supporting colleagues, including mentoring new and existing VSAs
Training
You will receive extensive training covering all aspects of the role, including the use of a laptop and smartphone. The training programme lasts around 16 weeks. Most of it takes place at ATFs and online via Microsoft Teams, with a few weeks of expenses-paid training at DVSA locations, usually in Bristol or Manchester.
The work we do
We help millions of people every year. We make sure learners are safe to drive, by approving driving instructors and conducting driving and theory tests. We help people keep their vehicles safe to drive by approving MOT testers and inspecting vehicles. Our teams help protect the public from unsafe vehicles and drivers through roadside enforcement activities.
31,958 defective vehicles found each year
38.5 million MOT Certificates issued each year
What you’ll bring
At least 3 years of hands-on experience in the maintenance and repair of road vehicles (e.g., car, PSV, HGV)
Up to date and in-depth knowledge of vehicles as it applies to HGV, PSV, cars, or light commercial vehicles
Experience of undertaking a examination of a vehicle’s components
Qualifications in motor vehicle repair, i.e. iRTEC or IMI
A full and current car driving licence
Selena, Vehicle Standards Assessor
“I had spent the first 20 years of my working life in offices, but I’ve always had an interest in mechanics. As a DVSA apprentice, I got the chance to expand my interest into a qualification and a full-time job.”
Benefits we offer
DVSA employee benefits
Benefits include:
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by one day a year up to 30 days
- Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of at least 28.97%
- flexible working including part-time working and job sharing (a minimum of 28 hours per week is required for this role)
- help and support with your work-life balance
- tax-free childcare
- at least 5 training days a year to support your learning and development
- apprenticeships in a range of areas – from providing services to the public, to expert corporate services.
- season ticket loan for travel
- Cycle to Work scheme
- recognition awards
- physiotherapy scheme with a free assessment and up to 5 free sessions
- money off and cashback offers
- 3 days paid leave a year for voluntary work
- study leave
- gym membership discounts
- fully insured and taxed lease car for both work and personal use, with running costs covered and the option to add up to two additional drivers
Support for your health and well-being
With a career at DVSA, you’ll be eligible for:
- a free flu jab each year
- a free eyesight test
- access to a team of mental health first aiders and wellbeing champions
- support for workplace adjustments
- our employee assistance programme, which offers counselling, legal information, debt and money management support services to all staff
- an in-house team of trained mediators
- help and support from the Charity for Civil Servants
- health screening
- a physiotherapy scheme with a free assessment and up to 5 free sessions
To find out more about the role and DVSA, please join one of our online vehicle standards assessor sessions.
We also offer general DVSA Careers and “How to Apply” events, which provide useful insight into the organisation and application process.
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