DVLA to retain services at Post Offices
Published: 27/02/2024
We are pleased to report, that after protracted negotiations between DVLA and the Post Office Ltd, a new contract has been awarded by DVLA to the Post Office to continue providing certain DVLA services.
The DVLA had previously said that it was not planning to renew its contract. The dispute is understood to have been around the price that Post Office Ltd wanted to charge for the service, and the amount that DVLA was willing to pay.
Says Owen Woodley, Deputy CEO at the Post Office: "The negotiations haven’t been easy. Our aim throughout has been to ensure that Postmasters receive fair remuneration for DVLA transactions and that Post Office’s associated costs for providing the services are covered. I’m pleased that we have been able to achieve this."
The news is especially welcome for the historic vehicle community as two services - declaring a vehicle MoT exempt, and applying to change the tax class to (free) Historic Vehicle status – can only be done at a Post Office, with no online or postal alternative.
The new contract will start from 1 April 2024 and is for one year, with an option for a potential further two, one-year extentions.
Under the new contract, customers can choose to visit relevant branches of the Post Office to tax a vehicle, or renew a 10-year photo card driving licence.
Unfortunately, International Driving Permits (IDP) are not included in the new contract and are subject to a separate ongoing procurement exercise, the outcome of which is expected in January 2024.
A spokesperson from the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters commented: "Vital services such as the DVLA need to remain within the Post Office network, and we have to thank everybody who has helped this decision come to fruition.
"More than 6 million people use Post Office network For accessing DVLA services each year, and essential local and central government services need to be available to the general public. The Post Office network is the only infrastructure able to provide that and government needs to ensure these services are always available."
For more details, please see the link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-services-update#:~:text=The%20contract%20will%20start%20from,year%20photo%20card%20driving%20licence
