What are the four triggers?

An average of 6 or more driving faults per test, an average of 0.55 or more serious faults per test, physical action by the examiner on 10% or more of tests, and a pass rate of 55% or lower. They are published by DVSA on GOV.UK.

How many do I have to hit?

Three or more. Hitting one or two does not trigger a letter on its own, but it tells you which way things are heading.

What if I took fewer than 5 pupils to test?

DVSA only uses these numbers once you have brought 5 or more pupils to test in 12 months. Below that you still take a standards check at least once in each 4-year registration period.

Does a dangerous fault count as serious?

DVSA only names serious faults. We add dangerous faults in, because leaving the worse fault out would make your number look better than it is.

Can I see DVSA's own figures for me?

DVSA does not publish them. This calculator only knows what you type in, so add up your test sheets carefully.

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Will DVSA call you for a standards check?

Check your test results against the four DVSA triggers.

DVSA watches four numbers from your pupils' driving tests over the last 12 months. Hit the trigger on three of them and you get a letter asking you to book a standards check. Type in your figures to see where you stand.

Pupils you took to test Car practical tests in the last 12 months, with your badge in the windscreen. How many passed Driving faults, all tests added up The minors. Add up the total from every test sheet. Serious and dangerous faults, added up Tests where the examiner took physical action The "P" box under ETA on the test report.

Driving faults per test Lower is better: – trigger
Serious faults per test Lower is better: – trigger
Tests with physical action Lower is better: – trigger
Pass rate Higher is better: – trigger

How this is worked out

DVSA looks at the car tests your pupils took in the last 12 months where your ADI badge was in the windscreen. It works out four numbers:

Driving faults per test: all driving faults divided by the number of tests. Trigger: 6 or more.
Serious faults per test: all serious faults divided by the number of tests. Trigger: 0.55 or more. We include dangerous faults here.
Physical action: the share of tests where the examiner had to take physical action. Trigger: 10% or more.
Pass rate: passes divided by tests. Trigger: 55% or lower.

Three or more triggers and DVSA writes asking you to book a standards check. None of this applies until you have taken 5 pupils to test in the 12 months.

Adding up test sheets by hand gets old. Lesson Diary tracks these four numbers for you from the results you record, and shows when each one will change. Practising for the check itself? Try the standards check grader.

Common questions

What are the four triggers?: An average of 6 or more driving faults per test, an average of 0.55 or more serious faults per test, physical action by the examiner on 10% or more of tests, and a pass rate of 55% or lower. They are published by DVSA on GOV.UK.
How many do I have to hit?: Three or more. Hitting one or two does not trigger a letter on its own, but it tells you which way things are heading.
What if I took fewer than 5 pupils to test?: DVSA only uses these numbers once you have brought 5 or more pupils to test in 12 months. Below that you still take a standards check at least once in each 4-year registration period.
Does a dangerous fault count as serious?: DVSA only names serious faults. We add dangerous faults in, because leaving the worse fault out would make your number look better than it is.
Can I see DVSA's own figures for me?: DVSA does not publish them. This calculator only knows what you type in, so add up your test sheets carefully.

Trigger points from DVSA on GOV.UK. This is an estimate from the figures you enter. DVSA decides who is asked to take a standards check.

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