Details
Reference number
433204
Salary
£31,597 Advertised salary is inclusive of a base salary of £26,607 and £4,990 of allowances which consists of: Technical - £2,590, Flexibility - £2,400. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP
Job grade
Administrative Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
DVSA - Operations Vehicle Services
Type of role
Operational Delivery
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time
Number of jobs available
4
Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
Carlisle, Edinburgh, Glasgow
About the job
Job summary
A maximum weight Heavy Goods Vehicle is presented to you for its annual test.
Your ability to spot a defect is crucial.
Your understanding of road-worthiness standards is essential.
You determine if the vehicle is legally compliant.
You protect the public from unsafe vehicles.
You are a Vehicle Standards Assessor.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably. We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
We’re working hard to:
- Make roads safer
- Improve services for our customers
- Make road transport greener and healthier
- Harness the potential of technology and data
- Grow and level up the economy
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working a DVSA:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Job description
As a Vehicle Standards Assessor, you will:
- Conduct annual test inspections.
- Record results digitally and issue documentation.
- Offer advice on vehicle safety and maintenance.
- Ensure larger vehicles are safe to be on Britain’s roads.
- Contribute to the safety of all road users.
- Be deployed from home and travel to a number of 3rd party testing facilities.
- Work flexibly in-line with the operating model.
To view the responsibilities of the role in more detail, please see the attached Role Profile.
For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
To find out more about the job and DVSA, please join us either at one of our virtual events or at one of our face-to-face open days. You will have an opportunity to ask lots of questions. You can register for an event here. There are a number of DVSA events scheduled, so please be sure to select one of the Vehicle Standards Assessor events.
Person specification
Essential licenses:
- A full UK driving license
You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.
Required experience:
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- A minimum of 3 years hands-on experience in the repair, maintenance or inspection of at least one type of road vehicle, e.g. car, HGV, PSV.
- You will need good customer service skills.
You should already hold, or willing to work towards relevant qualifications in motor vehicle repair ie. iRTEC or IMI
Additional Information
Vehicle Standards Assessors work an average of 37 hours per week, and conduct tests out of 3rd party Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs).
We encourage part time applicants but please be aware, for this role there is a business requirement for successful applicants to be available to work 28 hours per week.
Whilst Vehicle Standards Assessors are deployed from home, please carefully consider the location you apply for. We recommend you are within 30-45 minutes travel time of your chosen location as you will be required to conduct tests at a number of ATFs within that area.
You must be willing to travel a wide geographical area on specific DVSA business, where there maybe the occasional overnight stay.
You will be provided with a fully insured and taxed lease car, which is for both work and personal use. Other running costs are also covered. You can also have up to two additional drivers use the vehicle.
This role doesn’t require physical repair work, but there is a physical nature to the role which involves climbing up into larger vehicles to inspect the inside, and also a need to climb in and out of a pit to inspect the underside.
There will be extensive training on all aspects of the role, which includes the use of a laptop and smartphone. The training will last around 16 weeks, with the majority of it taking place at ATFs and online using Microsoft Teams. There are also a few weeks of expenses paid training that takes place in DVSA training locations, usually in Bristol or Manchester. Please note: the training is completed on a full-time basis, which is non-negotiable.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Licences
A full UK driving license
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,597, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency contributes £9,153 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- Latest IT and Tech devices e.g. smartphone and laptop
- All PPE, uniform, tools and equipment is provided.
- A fully insured and taxed lease car, which is for both work and personal use. Other running costs are also covered. You can also have up to two additional drivers use the vehicle.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies .
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
How to apply:
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of personal statement
Stage 2: Multiple choice knowledge assessment and interview
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
- Experience – you will be asked to provide a personal statement. This personal statement will simply require a one word answer of 'yes' or 'no' as a response to an experience question. This experience is essential to the role, therefore any applications with a response of no, will be withdrawn due to not meeting essential requirements.
Please note: the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live, so you may receive your sift scores before the advert closing date.
The sift will take place week commencing 11/11/2025.
Stage 2: Assessment and interview
At assessment stage, you will be invited to complete a multiple choice knowledge assessment and an interview. The assessment and interview will be conducted in-person at one of our DVSA locations. Details will be provided should you be selected for interview. You will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
- Experience - hands-on experience in the repair, maintenance or inspection of at least one type of road vehicle, e.g. car, HGV, PSV
- Behaviours - Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service
The assessment and interview stage will take place between 24/11/2025 and 12/12/2025.
Details will be provided if you are invited to the assessment and interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site .
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
We will also hold a 6-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
Some of the locations advertised will not have posts available immediately. However, we will hold a Reserve List for up to 12 months and will be in touch with the successful candidates when they become available.
During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.
AI Tools and Platforms
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Simon Jackson
- Email : Frontline.Recruitment@dvsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
