Revolutionising driving examinations: DVSA teams up with Kainos for digital transformation

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has awarded Kainos, a leading digital technology firm, a substantial contract spanning four years and worth up to £73 million. The aim is to introduce a new digital Driver Services Platform (DSP) designed to simplify the process for learners booking and scheduling driving tests. This platform promises a consistent, flexible, and more accessible experience for individuals across practical and theory examinations.

This overhaul of the DSP is an integral component of DVSA's broader Service Transformation Programme. Central to this initiative is the creation of a learning-to-drive environment that is not only easier and fairer but more flexible. It reflects the UK Government’s push toward inclusive digital services, ensuring driving instructors, DVSA employees, and learners can access and manage essential services effortlessly.

Having collaborated with the DVSA for over ten years, Kainos has played a pivotal role in transforming MOT and Theory Services. The new DSP takes this partnership further, replacing outdated legacy systems with a modern, modular platform based on Microsoft technologies like Dynamics and Power Platform. This shift allows DVSA to enhance service delivery, simplify the journey from theory test to practical examination, and ensure a consistent experience across all engagement points.

Kainos Public Sector Director, Andy Kemp, mused on this development saying, “We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the DVSA and to lead the delivery of the new DSP service. Building on over a decade of collaboration, this programme represents a major step forward in how driver services are delivered across Great Britain. By replacing legacy systems with a modern, flexible service, DSP will enable smarter scheduling, reduce operational friction and empower learners, instructors and DVSA employees, through more accessible and inclusive self-service.”  

Ultimately, the DSP will introduce innovative scheduling tools, deliver improved data insights, and bolster capacity visibility. Learners will find an intuitive system for booking and managing tests, interacting with instructors, and maintaining records like the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). With heightened emphasis on inclusivity, the system will cater to the needs of neurodiverse individuals and deaf users, incorporating features such as British Sign Language translation.

Moreover, the DSP will facilitate DVSA’s incorporation of the GOV.UK One Login platform, streamlining secure access to a myriad of governmental services. Set to commence in September 2025, the initial phase will focus on booking and scheduling, with subsequent phases rolling out incrementally within the contract period.