In focus: Testing time for independent practice

Specsavers has retained the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) vision testing service contract estimated to be worth up to £19.1m over five years.

The multiple’s UK and Ireland managing director, Paul Marshall, told Optician: ‘We are pleased and honoured that the DVLA has chosen to award Specsavers a new contract following a competitive and extensive tender process.’

The company said 420 of its practices participated in the provision of the contract, with around 70,000 group 1 and group 2 drivers tested every year.

That figure of 420 practices is likely to come under intense scrutiny, as rival bids included significantly more. Cross company and organisation applications led by the Association of Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, and Primary Eyecare Services included practice networks of 750 and 2,500, respectively. In its tender documents, the DVLA said applicants should be able to provide national coverage throughout Great Britain.