The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport (DfT).

It carries out driving tests, approves people to be driving instructors and MOT testers, carries out tests to make sure lorries and buses are safe to drive, carries out roadside checks on drivers and vehicles, and monitors vehicle recalls. It is a separate organisation from the similarly named Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

DVSA is responsible for:

• setting the standard for safe and responsible driving and riding
• carrying out theory and practical driving tests for all types of motor vehicles
• maintaining the register of approved driving instructors
• approving training bodies and instructors to provide compulsory basic training and direct access scheme courses for motorcyclists
• running the tests that allow people to join and stay on the voluntary register of driver trainers who train drivers of car and van fleets
• setting the standards for the drink-drive rehabilitation scheme, running the scheme and approving the courses that offenders can take
• conducting annual testing of lorries, buses and trailers through authorised testing facilities (ATFs) and goods vehicle testing stations (GVTS)
• conducting routine and targeted checks on vehicles, drivers and operators ensuring compliance with road safety legislation and environmental standards
• supervising the MOT scheme so that over 20,000 authorised garages carry out MOT tests to the correct standards
  providing administrative support to the Traffic Commissioners in considering and processing applications for licenses to operate lorries, buses, coaches and registered bus services
• conducting post-collision investigations
• monitoring products for manufacturing or design defects, highlighting safety concerns and monitoring safety recalls
• providing a range of educational and advisory activities to promote road safety