DVLA Local Office Closure

With the proposed closure of all 39 DVLA local offices including 10 regional enforcement centres by the end March 2015 and down to only 16 operational sites by Autumn 2013, one has to ask what will happen next.

In a recent meeting in London the representatives from the BVSF urged the DVLA to think before axing. There are a number of tasks that BVSF members have to do that would be simply impossible currently and electronically with the ageing DVLA computer system. Examples are Cherished number plate transfers, initial taxation for Commercial Vehicles following substantial changes. With regard to Cherished transfers these will be fully electronic, we are advised, by October 2013. With regard to the Commercial vehicle initial relicencing which requires weight information, number of axles, plating certificates, reduced polution cert etc etc, it would appear from discussions that the DVLA believe that these issues could possibly be dealt with at a Post Office level, this in itself is very worrying with the amount of training that a non technical Post Office worker would have to go through to be “competent” to deal with these “special” transactions.  Maybe a counter specifically for the task at hand, which of course would carry a cost. The mind boggles at the thought of a 44 tonne lorry pulling up outside a high street Post Office for an inspection !!

Inevitably the discussion included the VIC scheme, it would appear that the VIC scheme in whatever guise it is going to continue in (if at all) may well move to the Dealer network and potentially VOSA staff will be on site. This in itself may well cause issues with the current legislation being that a vehicle with no MOT has to be taken to the “nearest” MOT station which in the case of a VIC being required may be further away. There appears to be a possibility that this may well lead the way for taxation to take place at a dealership but it is believed that this is a long way off yet.


All things considered the BVSF are very concerned and have voiced there opinion accordingly through both the DVLA meeting and indeed will be adding their comments to the Public Consultation on behalf of the Members.

Should any Members have any comments that they would like to be considered for the consultation then please consider the following questions and forward comments to the BVSF offices asap. Indeed we have urged the DVLA to ensure that any regulatory/infrastructure changes are tried, tested and fully operational a long time prior to the impending closures to ensure that a smooth as possible transition takes place. Only time will tell if common sense will prevail or whether a number of rearward steps are made and we all suffer further at the hands of an antiquated system that cannot cope now, let alone after the closure of support offices.


1)..Do you support the direction of changes being proposed?
2)..Do they raise issues for you and, if so, what are they?
3)..What kind of services would you like to see being delivered through Electronic Services.
4)..What kind of services would you like to see being delivered through Intermediaries?
5)..If you don’t currently use the DVLA’s on line services, why is this?
6)..Would you use electronic channels if access was provided through a local service or business operating as an intermediary?
7)..If not (relating to the question above), what other ways could we help you to use electronic services?
8)..In view of the above, what problems would you foresee with the centralisation of the functions currently provided by the DVLA’s 39 local offices and 10 Enforcement Offices?