The BVRLA is calculating fleets could save time and money thanks to greater choice and flexibility in how they deal with the DVLA, after proposals were published by the Government.

Transport Minister Mike Penning said that they would make “dealing with the DVLA easier and quicker for motorists and businesses”.

Penning said: “Centralising DVLA services is the first crucial step towards making more of its transactions available online, allowing people to deal with the DVLA at their chosen time and place. This will mean quicker turnarounds and meet our customers’ growing needs.”

Under the proposals, 39 regional offices, 10 of which include regional enforcement centres, are expected to close by the end of 2013, with work currently processed at those offices centralised at the DVLA’s HQ in Swansea.

The regional offices are located in: Beverley; Birmingham; Bournemouth; Brighton; Bristol; Carlisle; Chelmsford; Chester; Exeter; Ipswich; Leeds; Lincoln; London Borehamwood; London Sidcup; London Wimbledon; Maidstone; Manchester; Newcastle Upon Tyne; Northampton; Norwich; Nottingham; Oxford; Peterborough; Portsmouth; Preston; Sheffield; Shrewsbury; Stockton; Theale; Truro; Worcester; Bangor; Cardiff; Swansea; Aberdeen; Dundee; Glasgow; Edinburgh; and Inverness.

The DVLA’s 10 enforcement centres are located in Birmingham; Bournemouth; Exeter; Glasgow; Chelmsford; Leeds; Newcastle Upon Tyne; Nottingham; Preston; and Sidcup.

The Government claims the proposals could deliver significant efficiencies with an estimated £28million year-on-year saving.

DVLA’s chief executive Simon Tse said: “Times change and customers’ needs change. That is why it’s essential that we make the best use of our services to make sure we give the motor industry and the general public a service that is fit for the 21st century.

The BVRLA says it told Penning last spring that there was a massive opportunity to streamline and modernise the way the DVLA dealt with its customers.

BVRLA chief executive John Lewis said: “With this announcement and the Red Tape Challenge that is underway, the Coalition Government has shown that is willing to listen and take brave decisions when it comes to poor legislation and inefficient working practices.”

He continued: “It is always regrettable when people face redundancy, particularly at this time of year and in the current economic environment. But reducing bureaucracy is a great way of boosting the private sector and creating jobs.”

The DVLA is inviting responses to its plans, and the BVRLA says it will be taking the opportunity to restate some of its earlier suggestions on how it thinks the agency can save itself and its customers’ time and millions of pounds each year.

The BVRLA is recommending:

• Electronic notification for SORN or vehicle disposal
• Prepayment accounts for refund and purchase of VED
• Electronic V5 (printed on demand only)
• E-licensing for goods vehicle
• Real-time online driving licence check
• Multi-Year VED
• Removing the need to display the tax disc

The consultation document ‘Transforming DVLA Services’ can be downloaded here and the consultation will close on March 6, 2012.

What do you think? Do you support the direction of the changes being proposed and how could particular measures help you? Or do they raise issues for you and, if so, what are they?

Leave you thoughts below or email them to Fleet News at and join the debate on Linked In

The consultation document can be found here: www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/consultations.aspx