DSA promoted road safety in Great Britain by improving driving and motorcycling standards.

It set standards for education and training, as well as carrying out theory and practical driving and riding tests.

It planned to employ a total of 2,769 staff by March 2011, dependent on trading and the government freeze on recruitment.

The chief executive was accountable to the Secretary of State for ensuring that the DSA met its obligations and delivered its targets and services.

The chief executive had overall responsibility for the DSA's activities, ensuring it met its financial obligations, and providing assurance of a sound system of internal control.

A separate audit and risk management committee, comprising non-executive directors, acted independently of the executive board to provide assurance to the chief executive on financial and non-financial matters, including corporate governance and risk management.

A candidate may make up to 15 minor driving faults but still pass the test (16 or more results in failure).

The passage of the Road Safety Act 2006 empowered DSA to set the standards on all paid tuition, not just that of motor cars as was previously the case.

[7] DSA planned a phased implementation programme, supporting progressive improvements whilst avoiding disruption to those currently learning to drive.

Its corporate information, which included how the agency was run, consultations, and press releases, was moved to the Department for Transport website.

All DSA's information about learning to drive and ride and for businesses moved to the single government website GOV.UK on 17 October 2012.

DSA became one of the first central government organisations to move its corporate and policy content onto the GOV.UK website on 15 November 2012.