Vehicle Standards Assessor

Vehicle Standards Assessor – England & Wales

Employer: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
Salary: £33,531 per year
Additional Allowance: £4,000 London Weighting may apply in eligible locations
Location: Multiple locations across England and Wales
Contract: Permanent
Job Type: Operational Delivery
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time and Flexible Working
Hours: Average 37 hours per week (minimum availability of 28 hours per week for part-time applicants)
Number of Vacancies: 48
Job Grade: Administrative Officer
Reference: 487826
Closing Date: 30 November 2026 at 11:55 pm

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not available. The DVSA does not hold a UK Skilled Worker sponsor licence and cannot sponsor applicants for Skilled Worker visas. Candidates must already have the appropriate right to work in the UK.

Job Overview

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is recruiting 48 Vehicle Standards Assessors across England and Wales.

Vehicle Standards Assessors use their technical knowledge and practical experience to inspect heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) during annual MOT tests, identify defects and determine whether vehicles meet road safety and legal requirements.

This role contributes to improving road safety by ensuring larger vehicles are safe to operate on Britain’s roads.

Successful applicants will receive comprehensive training and a fully insured and taxed lease car for both business and personal use.

Available Locations

The vacancies are available in the following locations:

• Ashington
• Avonmouth
• Bath
• Bridgend
• Bristol
• Carmarthen
• Coventry
• Crawley
• Croydon
• Darlington
• Dartford
• Droitwich Spa
• Ealing
• Enfield
• Gateshead
• Harrogate
• Hereford
• Hull
• King’s Lynn
• Leicester
• Manchester
• Mansfield
• Milton Keynes
• Morley
• Normanton
• Peterborough
• Preston
• Reading
• Romford
• Rothwell (West Yorkshire)
• Shrewsbury
• Soham
• Solihull
• Southampton
• St Neots
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Swindon
• Tilbury
• Walsall
• Wigan
• Wolverhampton
• Yate

Applicants should ideally live within 30–45 minutes of their chosen location because the role involves travelling to several Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) within the area.

Key Responsibilities

As a Vehicle Standards Assessor, your responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out MOT tests and associated vehicle testing schemes.
• Inspecting vehicles and identifying defects.
• Recording test information and results and issuing relevant documentation.
• Advising customers on vehicle safety.
• Ensuring heavy vehicles meet road safety requirements.
• Travelling to different third-party testing facilities.
• Working with colleagues and scheduling teams to deliver excellent customer service.
• Participating in regular team meetings.

Requirements and Qualifications

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of three years’ hands-on experience in the repair, maintenance or inspection of at least one type of road vehicle, such as cars, HGVs or PSVs.
• Good customer service skills.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Existing relevant motor vehicle qualifications, or willingness to work towards qualifications such as iRTEC or IMI.

Applicants must provide evidence of their essential driving licence during the recruitment process.

Working Hours and Training

The average working week is 37 hours.

Part-time applications are welcome, but successful part-time applicants must be available to work at least 28 hours per week.

The role is deployed from home, but involves travelling to different testing facilities across the assigned geographical area. Occasional overnight stays may be required.

Successful candidates will receive approximately 16 weeks of comprehensive training, delivered through a combination of practical training at testing facilities, online sessions and training at DVSA locations, usually in Bristol or Manchester.

Important: Training is conducted on a full-time basis and is non-negotiable, including for part-time employees.

The position does not involve vehicle repair work, but requires physical activity, including climbing into larger vehicles and accessing inspection pits to examine their undersides.

Benefits

The DVSA offers a range of benefits, including:

• Salary of £33,531, including technical and flexibility allowances.
• Potential additional London Weighting allowance of £4,000 in eligible locations.
• Fully insured and taxed lease car for business and personal use.
• Vehicle running costs covered.
• Up to two additional drivers permitted on the lease car.
• 28.97% employer pension contribution.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by one day each year up to 30 days.
• Eight bank holidays plus an additional privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Staff discount portal.
• Opportunities for professional development and funded qualifications.
• Work equipment, including a smartphone and laptop.
• PPE, uniform, tools and equipment provided.
• 24-hour confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
• Inclusive and supportive working environment.

Recruitment and Selection Process

The recruitment process will take place in two stages.

Stage 1: Application Sift

Applicants must submit a personal statement of up to 500 words explaining their relevant mechanical experience.

The statement should provide details of:

• Their minimum three years of hands-on mechanical experience.
• Where and in what capacity the experience was gained.
• Their previous duties and responsibilities.

Sift Date: 1 December 2026.

Stage 2: Knowledge Assessment and Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete a multiple-choice knowledge assessment and attend an in-person interview at a DVSA location.

Candidates will be assessed on:

• Hands-on experience in vehicle repair, maintenance or inspection.
• Making Effective Decisions.
• Communicating and Influencing.
• Managing a Quality Service.

Assessment and Interview Dates: 14–23 December 2026.

A reserve list will be maintained for six months. Some advertised locations may not have immediate vacancies, but successful candidates may be contacted when positions become available.

Important Information

• Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK.
• The DVSA cannot provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
• A full UK driving licence is essential.
• At least three years of relevant practical vehicle experience is required.
• Training must be completed on a full-time basis.
• Applicants should consider travel distances before selecting their preferred location.

How to Apply

Interested and eligible candidates should submit their applications through the official Civil Service Jobs website.

Applicants should prepare a personal statement demonstrating their practical mechanical experience and ensure they meet the essential licence and eligibility requirements.

Closing Date: 30 November 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Job Reference: 487826

Contact Information

Job Contact: Simon Jackson
Email: Frontline.Recruitment@dvsa.gov.uk

Recruitment Team:
dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk