IMPORTANT changes at the DVLA Transforming their operations.
The BVSF were represented recently at a workshop held at the DVLA to gain an insight into the changes that we all now know will happen over the next year or so. It is now known that all the DVLA satellite offices are going to be closed by the end of 2013.
The workshop was designed to advise of proposals that were already set in stone and others that were still under consideration in discussion with interested parties, which includes the BVSF. The new system is expected to “go live” in October 2013.
Almost all vehicles irrespective of age will be able to be licensed on line.
Five vehicles or more may be able to be considered as a “fleet”.
There is potential for “sorn” to be on an indefinite basis.
Application for a duplicate licence disc on line.
The creation of a new web portal to enable small/medium fleets to bulk relicence.
Operation of the DVA in Northern Ireland will be harmonised into the operation of the DVLA in Swansea.
It would appear that this harmonisation is called NIEVS (Northern Ireland Electronic Vehicle Services).
Currently we were advised that in NI it is not possible to:
a) Licence a vehicle on line.
b) Complete a COD/NOD on line.
c) Change Cherished number plates on line.
d) In fact, there are many procedural differences.
It is proposed that the 2 databases will be combined to operate the same way by June 2013.
Further more, a number plate retention scheme will be introduced into NI at some point in the future.
Complex licencing operations will be harmonised throughout the UK.
Current GB and NI data customers will benefit from accessing UK-wide data from a single source.
Electronic service allowing customers to notify DVLA that vehicles sold to trade.
Electronic service confirming new keeper of vehicle.
Electronic Assign/retain/transfer a cherished plate.
The “5 day grace period” for not displaying a valid licence disc is expected to be extended to 14 days and will apply to any licensing operation from June 2013. The constabulary have been consulted and appear to be happy with this as this deals potentially with 2 breaches of “law”, driving an unlicenced vehicle on the road (a DVLA matter) and failure to display a valid licence disc ( a road traffic act matter).
Trade licence inspections will be abolished, probationary status will be withdrawn and 6 month licences will be granted as a “full trade licence”.
Trade licence discs will be printed centrally and posted direct from Swansea.
Trade plates will be stored and despatched directly from DVLA by courier.
This will be policed by very robust enforcement.
Currently there are approximately 20,000 vehicle inspections completed each year, the DVLA expect this to reduce to approximately 3-6000 inspections. These reduced numbers will be delivered via an intermediary with a wider range of outlets to the customer.
The “front counter” operation currently operated by the Post Office is now out to tender and it was advised that 2 companies have put in a tender. The DVLA have advised that the level of service must be at least as good as it is currently if not better with queuing times for a single transaction no more than 5 minutes etc. There will be no further Insurance Certificate check at the front counter operation from 2013 as this will be done electronically and automatically every 4 weeks.
It is understood that some of the foregoing does not immediately relate to the operation of members businesses but it was felt to be of sufficient interest to all readers to warrant a full article. Under the circumstances of the extreme and challenging changes that are ongoing with the DVLA an offer has been made and verbally accepted that the DVLA will contribute an article in all subsequent magazines in the foreseeable future so that the BVSF can be updated on a quarterly basis.
