DVSA salary 2026/27
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency runs driving tests and vehicle testing standards. It has staff in test centres across Great Britain, as well as head office roles, and publishes AO to SCS medians.
DVSA salaries: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency pay
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £29,970 | £2,000 | 21 of 73 |
| EO | £31,090 | £2,063 | 64 of 92 |
| HEO | £37,270* | £2,394 | 69 of 93 |
| SEO | £46,760* | £2,929 | 62 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £59,090* | £3,519 | 73 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £72,960* | £4,138 | 72 of 84 |
| SCS | £107,240 | £5,669 | 11 of 58 |
Median full-time salary at 31 March 2026 from Cabinet Office Civil Service Statistics. * Our estimate from the official 2026 figure for the combined level and the 2025 figure for the grade. Rank compares DVSA with every department and agency that publishes a figure for that grade. Take-home is full time, alpha member, tax code 1257L, no student loan.
Good at AO, strong at the top
DVSA is ranked 21st of 73 at AO and 11th of 58 for SCS, with a median of £107,240. In between it sits around the middle or slightly lower: EO is 64th of 92 and SEO is 62nd of 93.
The SCS ranking is the standout, 13% above the typical department's SCS median. The move from SEO to Grade 7 is worth about £590 a month.
Against the typical department
| Grade | DVSA median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £29,970 | £28,100 | +£1,870 |
| EO | £31,090 | £32,460 | -£1,370 |
| HEO | £37,270 | £39,440 | -£2,170 |
| SEO | £46,760 | £48,220 | -£1,460 |
| Grade 7 | £59,090 | £63,110 | -£4,020 |
| Grade 6 | £72,960 | £78,270 | -£5,310 |
| SCS | £107,240 | £94,930 | +£12,310 |
The typical department is the middle one when every department and agency that publishes a figure for that grade is put in order, at 31 March 2026.
What each step up is worth
| Move | Extra gross a year | Extra take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| AO to EO | £1,120 | £64 |
| EO to HEO | £6,180 | £331 |
| HEO to SEO | £9,490 | £535 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £12,330 | £590 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £13,870 | £619 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £34,280 | £1,531 |
Extra take-home is smaller than the extra gross pay because of tax, National Insurance and the higher alpha contribution rate that applies as pay rises.
Grades with too few staff to publish a figure are left out. DVSA may also pay more in London and for specialist roles, and most departments have paid a 2026/27 award since 31 March 2026.
Common questions
How much does an AO earn at DVSA?
The median AO salary at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) was £29,970 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,000 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at DVSA?
The median EO salary at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) was £31,090 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,063 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at DVSA?
The median HEO salary at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) was about £37,270 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,394 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does DVSA pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At SCS, DVSA ranks 11 of 58 departments that publish a figure. At Grade 6 it ranks 72 of 84.
What pension do DVSA staff get?
Civil servants join the alpha pension scheme. You pay 4.6% to 8.05% of your pay depending on what you earn, and build 2.32% of your pensionable pay as pension each year.