Meeting Updates

Just a quick note to advise on the outcome of 2 meetings held this week. On Monday a meeting was held relating to ELV's and Tuesday a meeting with the DVLA Industry Liason Group (it should be noted that we, the BVSF, are the only Federation/Association relating to salvage or dismantling that are currently permitted to attend).
 
The info will be set out as a series of bullet points for ease and quickness to read.
 
1)..Long awaited outcome of the VIC scheme consultation. As you are no doubt all aware the BVSF has campaigned tirelessly for the abolishion of the VIC scheme, it would appear that the outcome of the consultation may be announced on Monday of next week, yes, I know we have heard this before but this information was direct from the government dept dealing with the scheme. More info of course will follow.
 
2)..Issue of V5 documents by the DVLA in the case of Cat A and B vehicles. The DVLA have announced that they are currently refusing to issue replacement V5's for Cat A and B vehicles going overseas. Currently V5's will still be issued to A and B vehicles if they complete a VIC check in the UK. It is understood that the DVLA are legally obligated in this action and as before the BVSF continue to challenge this dangerous and damaging state of affairs.
 
4)..The DVLA's current motto going forward is "Better, Simpler, Safer"......as can be seen from point 3, there is still a long way to go in the opinion of the BVSF.
 
5)..The DVLA on their own admission are missing many thousands of vehicles and this primarily is due them being "Transferred to trade" with no further action. TV3T, a long abandoned scheme would have resolved this but the DVLA have confirmed it will not be re started. However, a system rather amusingly nicknamed "nephew of TV3T" has been designed and is in the draft stage, this has been viewed in advance by the BVSF and is seen to be a good step forward. It will be made available to salvage dealers and initially will go live late Summer, early Autumn.
 
6)..BVSF has explained that Illegal Operators are also the cause of missing vehicles and the DVLA have agreed to look into the possibility of "Fines" for consumers not disposing of ELV's in the correct manner, it would normally be the job of the Environment Agency to police illegal operators but this does not appear to be high on their agenda or within their seemingly ever reducing budget at this stage.
 
7)..The DVLA's ultimate goal is a Motor Services Portal combining, keeper changes, cherished transfers, COD's etc etc all in one.
 
8)..The DVLA advised and demonstrated driving records on line, vehicle enquiry services on line amongst others, these can be seen on the DVLA website.
 
9)..DVA Northern Ireland offices are to close and all work etc moved to Swansea at the end of July.
 
10)..DVLA advised that personal plate transfers would be on line and "instant" from October 2014 and at the same time Tax discs will no longer be required to display. If a vehicle is purchased after this time with a tax disc on it it will have NO value. Upon change of keeper a refund of unused road tax will be issued to the vehicle keeper and the new keeper will need to tax the vehicle immediatly, there will be NO days of grace.
 
11)..Hard copy "Trade Licenses" will cease but trade plates will remain unlatered.
 
12)..BVSF expressed concern that the Indefinite SORN is another opportunity for vehicles to go "Missing", the DVLA are investigating this possibility.
 
13)..The BVSF have complained to the DVLA with regard to the cost impications for V5's in the case of Cat C vehicles. As you are all aware these are, or should be supplied free of charge by the DVLA but since the branch office closure the Post office demand payment. The DVLA advise that currently they are unable to make changes to this action but have streamlined the refund process to make it simpler and faster. (If the VIC scheme is quashed then this will be of no consequence)
 
I hope that this is of interest to you all and welcome questions etc.
 
Roger West
Secretary General.