After almost five years at the helm of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Loveday Ryder has announced she will be stepping down as Chief Executive.

The announcement comes amid mounting pressure on the agency due to persistent issues with test waiting times, booking system problems, and examiner shortages.

There has been little notable progress in reducing waiting times or combating fraud in the strained test booking system, and it will be surprising if a new leader can implement any quick remedies.

Change

Ryder became Chief Executive in January 2021, shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was the subsequent COVID lockdowns that brought the driver testing system to breaking point.

During the same period, the testing system was also affected by industrial action and significant staff turnover, particularly among examiners, who experienced low morale and complaints about pay and working conditions.

Despite increasing testing hours and slots, as well as recruiting more examiners and reallocating other staff to the testing front line, waiting times continued to rise, and four years on from the lockdowns, they remain at record levels.

In her own words, she said: “The past 5 years have been the toughest, and at times, the most rewarding of my professional career. The people of DVSA work hard every day to keep drivers and their vehicles safe…” 

DVSA Chair Nick Bitel thanked her for her leadership, saying she had steered the agency through “what has been the most challenging period of the agency’s history.” 

A start

The training and driving-instructor industry has offered a nuanced response to the news.

While acknowledging the enormous challenges Ryder faced, especially navigating the agency through lockdowns and high demand, many expressed that a fresh approach was now needed.

It has been summed up by Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors’ Association (DIA):

“Steering an oil tanker like the DVSA, overburdened with demand and supply issues, through an unprecedented crisis like the pandemic, has undoubtedly been a highly challenging role… We do respect the effort Loveday and her team have put in. However, after nearly five years of wrangling these challenges, and some of the same severe issues remaining, it is time for a fresh perspective and new leadership.” 

Similarly, senior trainers and ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors) expressed cautious hope that the change of leadership may bring a fresh approach to the current problems.

One long-time instructor said: “Test waits are still too long. Booking chaos still causes students stress. So while I admire what she did during COVID, we need someone who can tackle the backlog head-on.” 

What’s at stake

DVSA is responsible for nearly all car driving tests in Great Britain and oversees driver education and vehicle safety enforcement.

The challenges of the past several years have been significant, including long waiting lists for practical tests, complaints that the test-slot system is disrupted by bots, examiner recruitment and retention problems, and frustration from instructors and learners alike. 

In its 2024 recovery plan, the agency pledged to recruit hundreds of new examiners and overhaul its booking systems, but progress has been described as slow by industry stakeholders. 

For driving schools, independent ADIs and learner drivers, delays in testing mean increased cost, wasted lessons and high levels of stress, all of which place pressure on the industry and affect public perception.

Moving forward

Ryder’s departure clears the way for new leadership at a pivotal time.

Who that might be is unclear at present.

The Department for Transport (DfT) will be responsible for appointing her successor, and industry eyes will be watching whether fresh leadership can deliver results in three key areas:

  1. Reducing waiting times for practical tests across the network.

  2. Reforming the booking system (including tackling bots and slot resales).

  3. Stabilising the examiner workforce, improving morale, and making the role more attractive.

It is hoped that the incoming CEO will engage more closely with ADIs, driving schools, and the driver training industry, treating them as genuine stakeholders and injecting stronger communication and accountability into the operations of DVSA.

Loveday Ryder’s tenure at the DVSA has indeed spanned one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory for driver testing and standards.

While her leadership during the pandemic and early recovery earned recognition, the lingering technical, capacity and service-delivery issues mean her legacy will be complex.

As one instructor summarised: “She did what was needed in a crisis. Now we need someone who can deliver, not just promise.”

As the agency moves forward, the driving-training community hopes that leadership change translates into tangible improvements — not only for learners and instructors, but for the safety and efficiency of the UK’s driver-licensing system as a whole.

Combined with an imminent Road Safety Strategy from the government, the new year will hopefully mark a turning point for training, testing, and road safety.