FBHVC welcomes DVLA report recommendations

Published: 19/11/2024

On the eve of the Classic Motor show at the NEC, the Government published  Janette Beinart’s report on her review of the DVLA (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dvla-review-published-to-strengthen-agency-for-the-future).

The review was commissioned by the previous Government to assess the accountability, efficiency and efficacy of the DVLA.

Having worked successfully for many years with the DVLA on a range of issues affecting the Historic Vehicle (HV) community, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) was chosen as a key stakeholder and one of a select number of organisations invited to participate in the Review. 

Our detailed oral and written submissions to Janette Beinart reflected a number of unresolved issues with the DVLA.

We are pleased to note that our submissions have been fully recognised in the conclusions of the report and welcome that they are on the list of priorities to be addressed by the DVLA and DfT over the next 12 months.

The report fully recognised the frustration we had reflected to the Review team about the lack of progress being made with DVLA in resolving numerous HV registration issues and listed the individual issues we had presented.

These included the lack of clear published policies, varying levels of engagement at stakeholder forums, insufficient action or follow-up feedback on progress with addressing key issues, lack of expert knowledge and understanding by DVLA staff when dealing with more complex technical issues and un-evidenced and sometimes inconsistent decision making.  

The FBHVC welcomes the Review’s recommendations that complaint handling must be improved and that all DVLA customers must have access to clear published policies, procedures and opportunities that enable them to effectively engage with and discuss/resolve issues with the DVLA. 

The Federation was delighted to receive the following note of thanks from Sophie Keay 
Deputy Director, Public Body Reviews, Inquiries and National Highways Shareholding, Shareholdings, Appointments & Inquiry (SAI) on behalf of the review team: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your contribution to this important piece of work – it's been very much appreciated.”

The FBHVC looks forward to working with DVLA and DfT on implementing these important recommendations as further evidenced by the responses to the Call for Evidence for our members and the HV sector as a whole.