DVSA doubles theory test deal to 700m with no explanation

"Initially, £300 million was put forward as the maximum value of procurement, to run the service from September 2028 to September 2033, with a possible one-year extension. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency later published two more notices, both putting the same price tag on the work, but to run the service for a maximum of seven years. In the most recent notice published last week, the maximum value went up to £700 million - excluding tax - for a maximum of nine years from September 2028 until September 2037."

"The UK Theory Test is a statutory service owned by the DVSA that is a prerequisite ahead taking the practical test. It is administered by the DVSA and two private orgs. Theory test contracts and digital operations are run by DVSA, and theory test center ops are overseen by the two private entities."

"No explanation was given for monetary value, which went from about £60 million a year to about £78 million a year. The DVSA said it expects to publish the tender notice to kick off the competition in April."

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency has more than doubled its maximum budget allocation for procuring a new online theory test service, raising it from £300 million to £700 million. The contract will run for up to nine years from September 2028 to September 2037, representing an increase from approximately £60 million annually to £78 million annually. The online system administers 3.6 million tests yearly. The reprocurement process began in March of the previous year with market engagement. The DVSA plans to publish the formal tender notice in April. The UK Theory Test is a statutory service administered by the DVSA and two private organizations, with the DVSA managing contracts and digital operations while private entities oversee test center operations.

Read at Theregister