VAUXHALL is the latest manufacturer to join the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in piloting an electronic means of registering and licensing new vehicles direct from dealerships. BMW and Vauxhall have both been involved in the development and evaluation of the system which links dealerships with the DVLA computer via the manufacturers.

Automated First Registration and Licensing (AFRL) has been operating at a limited number of BMW dealerships for several months and is to be more extensively trialled at several Vauxhall dealerships this month. While BMW has been linked directly into the DVLA computer, Vauxhall has been preparing its own dealer computer system to link up with the DVLA. If the project proves successful, both manufacturers will be rolling it out to their entire dealer networks in September and other franchises are expected to follow.

Similar technology which will allow fleets to re-license their vehicles electronically is also due to be trialled within the next few months. As previously reported, (Fleet News December 8, 1995) Cowie Interleasing is set to pilot the DVLA's electronic re-licensing initiative prior to roll-out next year.