Classic car lobby groups and owners have welcomed the full investigation into the driver and vehicle licensing agency
CLASSIC CAR LOBBY GROUPS have welcomed a Government investigation into the workings of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which they claim is failing historic motorists.
In mid-July, Richard Holden MP announced the independent review of the DVLA as part of a wider Government programme exploring the effectiveness and efficiency of public bodies. It is intended to ensure the DVLA can provide a licensing service to motorists and the public, and will be assessed on four pillars set by the Cabinet Office: efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance.
The move comes after senior members of both the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) and Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs met with Holden, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport. Federation chairman David Whale and HCVA chair David Meek, along with Greg Smith MP and Sir Greg Knight, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, were among a delegation that met with Holden to express concerns around the DVLA’s treatment of the historic vehicle sector.
Holden said: ‘DVLA plays a crucial role in making sure drivers and vehicles can get around legally, safely and with confidence, giving drivers peace of mind by storing their records safely and tackling vehicle tax evasion.
‘With over 80% of all transactions now being carried out online, this review will help us understand how the DVLA can continue to grow from strength to strength and how we can support it to become more digital to efficiently serve the increasingly digitally savvy driver.’
David Meek added: ‘This independent review is a very important development for the sector, which will facilitate a refocus on the current effectiveness and lack of transparent decision-making and policy at the DVLA. The organisation is well-regarded by the industry and recognises its tremendous responsibility; however, HCVA members and partners have multiple case studies that some decisions being taken relating to historic and classic vehicles are proven to be unjustified.
‘Despite industry-expert involvement, the current appeals process and oversight of these decisions has been ineffective. We welcome this independent, wide-ranging review and offer our expertise, experience and guidance from across the sector
