Press release no:17 - Review of the vehicle inspection procedures of the driver and vehicle licensing agency and driver and vehicle licensing Northern Ireland

 A Consultation paper was issued in April 2004 and provided an opportunity for those who need to have their vehicles inspected to influence future policy. It canvassed opinions on how the inspection processes and policies could be changed to reflect current manufacturing and legislative requirements. A summary of responses, together with recommendations, which will receive further consideration, can be found on the DVLA website www.dvla.gov.uk/consultation.

 1. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) have the right to inspect any vehicle for the purpose of identifying it and ensuring that the details held on the DVLA and DVLNI registers are accurate. However, the requirements of DVLA/DVLNI have been affected by a number of recent initiatives:

• Recommendations from the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT)
• Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board (MVRIB)
• Introduction of the Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) by Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
  In response to these initiatives it was decided to reconsider the nature and scope of the various inspections of vehicles undertaken.

2. The consultation document was designed to obtain detailed feedback from all parties immediately involved in the inspection process. The aim of the review was to define ‘best practise’ and to ensure that the needs of both customers and Stakeholders are met.

Enquiries on this press release should be referred to:
DVLA Press Office tel. 01792 782318