Beverley Warmington Appointed to Lead DVSA and Address Driving Test Crisis

New Leadership for Britain’s Driving Standards Agency

Beverley Warmington has been appointed as DVSA Chief Executive to lead agency operations and deliver plans to cut driving test backlog and improve services for learners. She will join DVSA on 5 January 2026, taking over from Loveday Ryder at a critical time for the organisation.

Extensive Public Service Experience

As an experienced operational leader, Beverley brings almost 2 decades of public service expertise to the role. Formerly at the department for work and pensions where she was an area director managing 12,000 staff, Warmington joins the enforcement agency as it battles a driving test backlog. Her previous roles have included serving as Director for Asia, Caribbean and Overseas Territories at the Department for International Development, demonstrating her versatility across government departments.

Tackling the Driving Test Backlog

Warmington’s appointment comes at a crucial juncture for British learner drivers. She will lead DVSA as it continues to implement the government’s 7-point plan to reduce driving test waiting times, announced in December 2024. Changes the government has implemented include bringing in military driving examiners to help conduct driving tests one day a week for 12 months, delivering up to 6,500 more tests at the driving test centres with the highest demand.

Government Confidence in New Leadership

Government officials have expressed strong support for Warmington’s appointment. Beverley Warmington brings a wealth of operational leadership experience with her, including successfully managing large workforces and transforming service delivery, with confidence she will grip the driving test backlog and robustly oversee the reforms needed.

Significance for Learner Drivers

The appointment signals the government’s commitment to addressing the persistent challenges facing learner drivers across England, Scotland and Wales. With her proven track record in managing large-scale operations and implementing transformational change, Warmington is expected to bring fresh momentum to efforts aimed at reducing waiting times and improving access to driving tests, which remain essential for employment and independence for millions of Britons.