DVSA’s new strategy for vehicle testing

DVSA’s new strategy for vehicle testing

The DVSA has now published the strategic plan in making transport safer, greener, and cleaner which is looking to take place from 2025 to 2030. The new strategy is to keep Britain moving towards a more sustainable and safer way of using transport.

Advancing in Technology

The DVSA new strategic plan is looking to advance and immerse in technology, in particular the automation sector. The DVSA is continuing to find more innovative ways of introducing automation technology into the transport sector through pilot testing. The DVSA is currently working on adapting a driver assist system to help progress to self-driving vehicles in the future. The predicted stats are that in 2030 1 in 8 new cars sold could have self-driving features. The DVSA is currently in the early stages of testing whether driver assist systems will be beneficial for heavy-loaded vehicles such as lorries and trailers.

Paperless systems

The DVSA is seeking to encourage operators to embrace new digital platforms in the operating systems of storing vehicle records and history. The DVSA plans to stop issuing paper certificates and remove the plating display of certificates on vehicles. This will help the DVSA take a more positive step towards a sustainable way of using transport.

Making the roads safer

The DVSA is aiming to reduce the number of people killed and injured by making the roads safer in the UK. The shocking statistics show that an average of 1,697 people were killed each year between 2017 and 2020. The NHS is under massive amounts of pressure and the DVSA strategic plan aims to reduce that pressure. The DVSA is aiming to half the amount of all journeys in towns and cities by promoting walking or cycling.

Emissions testing  

The DVSA is looking to improve technology surrounding emissions testing. The UK emissions are harming global climate as a quarter are from road transport. The DVSA is aiming to have a net zero carbon contribution to help keep our planet healthier. Currently, there is no measures of the size or quantity of particles being emitted in the PN (Particulate Number) testing for diesel engine vehicles. The DVSA is still in the early stages of including these measures for both heavy and light vehicles.               

Current statistics

·         The DVSA has made £50.8 million of efficiency savings over the last 5 years.

·         In 2023, the DVSA reduced the speed limit on residential streets in Wales from 30mph to 20mph.

·         In 2024, the DVSA aims to manufacture more new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles.

·         In 2030, the DVSA plans to have 10 million battery electric vehicles on the road, with an estimated 300,000 public charging points.

References:

·         Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) vision to 2030 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

·         DVSA sets out vision to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

·         What  DVSA’s strategy and vision looks like for vehicle testing - Moving On (blog.gov.uk)