DSA and DVA Extend Agreement with Pearson for the Delivery of U.K. Driving Theory Tests
Pearson today announced that it has been awarded a three-year contract extension with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) of Great Britain and the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) of Northern Ireland, to deliver the driving theory test service until 2014.
Pearson today announced that it has been awarded a three-year contract extension with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) of Great Britain and the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) of Northern Ireland, to deliver the driving theory test service until 2014.
The driving theory test has been administered by Pearson VUE, the professional testing business of Pearson, since September 2004. The original seven-year contract was due to expire in 2011, and has now been extended by three years.
Services include the provision of test facilities, scheduling and registering of candidates, and the completion of management reports.
Nick Carter, Director of Strategy and Performance and Deputy Chief Executive at the DSA, said: “We have renewed the contract based on the solid performance that Pearson VUE has provided to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) and look forward to the continuing high standards of service provision and customer service.”
Paul Howarth, Managing Director of Pearson VUE in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, added: “We were pleased to have been asked to extend the contract. This is a reflection of the strong and reliable service that we have provided during the five years we have administered the driver theory tests. During this time, we have successfully completed about 1.6 million tests per year on behalf of the DSA and DVA through 150 of our testing centres in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
All new learner drivers have to pass the driving theory test, which covers all aspects relating to road safety and driver attitude, before booking their practical test. Candidates taking the learner theory test book their test either online or through a dedicated Contact Centre, and they then receive a customised confirmation letter. They attend a test centre of their choice, provide acceptable
identification, and take their theory test at a personal computer. The Car and Motorcycle theory test includes a multiple-choice part comprised of 50 questions plus a hazard-perception section. In Great Britain some multiple choice questions are based on a case-study scenario of real-life experiences that drivers could encounter. Candidates must pass both parts to pass the theory test, and through advanced scoring technology candidates are immediately informed whether they have succeeded.
ENDS
For more information:
Luke Swanson/ Simon Mays-Smith/ Charles Goldsmith + 44 (0) 20 7010 2310
Notes to editors: Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.co.uk) is a global leader in computer-based testing for information technology, academic, government and professional testing programmes around the world. Pearson VUE provides a full suite of services from test development to data management, and delivers exams through the world's most comprehensive and secure network of test centres in 165 countries. Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international media company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education and the Penguin Group.