DSA and VOSA merge to become DVSA – no change for Approved Driving Instructors

The (DVSA) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has been launched in place of the (DSA) Driving Standards Agency and the (VOSA) Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill announced the creation of the new agency, which will have responsibility for setting, testing and enforcing driver and vehicle safety standards in Great Britain.

DVSA will take shape from April 2014 and has been created following the recent motoring services strategy consultation.

DSA and VOSA will be incorporated into the new agency and headed by Alastair Peoples, who will become the Chief Executive of the single agency.

There will be a gradual introduction of the new agency name ahead of the formal launch in April 2014 in a bid to keep costs as low as possible, with no change to the level or quality of services during the transition period. The phased approach will see new branding implemented over the next financial year, with items being replaced when current stocks run out.

Approved driving instructors (ADIs)

ADIs’ and PDIs’ badges do not need to be replaced at the moment and will still be displayed in the windscreen while operating as a driving instructor.

For the time being, the official title of ADIs is still ‘Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor’. The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on the changes that need to be made to legislation to reflect the new name.

So, in the meantime, if you’re looking for a driving instructor, there’s no change: they’ll still be called ADIs.