The Transport Committee believes the DVLA and DVSA should do more to deliver a better service for motorists, including business drivers.
The committee launched a report to examine the experience of drivers using the Government’s two main motoring agencies.
The report uncovered the following information:
- The driver certificate of professional competence may not be delivering all the benefits expected of it and the Government should negotiate changes at a European level.
- The agencies need to put into place effective assisted digital strategies to help those who cannot or are unwilling to use the internet to access new digital services as these roll out.
- Work must take place in partnership with the Government digital service and others to address the problem of misleading copycat websites, which charge motorists for services that are available free from official websites.
- DVLA must do more to explain how it is required to share personal data with private parking companies and the safeguards that are in place to protect such data.
- DVLA needs to adjust the fees it charges to ensure the cost of providing vehicle keeper details to private parking companies are covered. It must also explain more clearly how it calculates its costs and sets fee levels.
- New services should be planned in a manner that deliver more effective data sharing, revenue collection, action on safety and enforcement, especially given policy changes such as those on tax discs and driving licences.
“The DVLA and DVSA are important for delivering essential services related to tax, licensing, testing, and vehicle safety. The Department for Transport must ensure that its current re-organisation programme for these agencies delivers high quality services that benefit everyone,” said Louise Ellman MP, Transport Commite chairperson.
“The recent problems experienced by motorists when road tax renewal went online demonstrates the importance of responding to change, having clear communication with the public and an effective contingency plan to maintain confidence,” said Ellman.