Press release 1: DVLA revolutionises car tax; new electronic service launched

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling today officially launched the new DVLA online and telephone car tax service which makes relicensing easier and quicker than ever before. The process can now be completed in a matter of minutes thanks to the ground breaking Electronic Vehicle Licensing (EVL) facility. Most motorists can renew their car tax wherever and whenever they want, with no need to produce for inspection paper copies of supporting documentation such as insurance and MOT certificates. Tax discs will be dispatched by post and received within three to five working days.

Alistair Darling said:

“This is good news for drivers and demonstrates the Government's commitment to using technology to make life easier. The service is designed to make it more convenient for people to relicense from home or even when they are abroad, giving them the choice and flexibility that best suits their needs."

The new service links Britain’s electronic insurance and MOT databases with DVLA's vehicle records. Drivers will no longer need to present paper copies of their tax renewal reminder (V11) / log book, MOT or insurance certificates to renew their tax discs. Instead they can complete the transaction in a matter of minutes online or by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

DVLA Chief Executive, Clive Bennett said:

“Car tax online or by telephone is designed to make the process of relicensing easier and more convenient. Our customers will now be able to renew their car tax from home or even abroad, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This demonstrates the significant progress that DVLA has made in improving the provision and accessibility of its service and also plays an important part of the Agency’s contribution to the wider initiative to modernise Government.”

Jim Murphy, Cabinet Office Minister responsible for e Government said:
"This is great news for motorists and another excellent example of the many things people can do online through Directgov. Designed around the needs of users Directgov brings together information and services from across government, making it easier for people to find what they are looking for. As well as renewing your car tax online you can access a host of other services, you can; plan a journey, apply for a passport, find out more about recycling, locate local health services or find a an adult education course. Our recently published Transformation Government Strategy demonstrates that we are committed to improving citizens' choice of interaction with public services, whether through call centres, face to face or through online services."

The new service, created in direct response to customer demand, demonstrates how DVLA is modernising its services to fit with changing lifestyles. A recent DVLA poll of the UK driving public revealed that 64 per cent of British motorists said they would apply for their road tax online if they could², with a further 39 per cent of people admitting that the ease of an online or telephone car tax facility will mean that they are more likely to relicense on time¹.

DVLA has also joined forces with car enthusiast Jodie Kidd to help raise awareness for the new service. She said:

“This service is great news for busy people like myself who often find it impossible to complete chores such as renewing a tax disc during a busy working week. Being able to relicense my car wherever and whenever will make the process much easier and not having to search for all my documents is a real bonus!”

Notes to editors:

To use the new system simply log on to www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc or use the phone line: 0870 850 4444.

DVLA has run pilot tests of the EVL service since February 2004, and to date, 1m UK drivers have successfully relicensed using the electronic service. It is anticipated that 11m people will have used the service by 2007, and 19m by 2008.

Keepers of cars less than three years old (that do not require an MOT certificate) are automatically eligible to use the service, while keepers of cars over three years old will need a computerised MOT certificate (now available at the majority of MOT garages throughout the UK and from all MOT garages by end of March 2006) to complete their transactions. DVLA will automatically send invitations to vehicle keepers to renew motor tax, and a unique reference will allow them to complete the transaction on line.

A recent DVLA poll of British motorists revealed:

• 64 per cent said they wished they could complete all such household transactions / bill paying online¹
• 68 per cent of motorists prefer to carry out such transactions online because it’s quicker and more convenient¹
• 41per cent of UK drivers have delayed paying a bill or re-taxing their car because they couldn’t find the right paperwork¹
• 28 per cent of people have delayed paying a bill / re-taxing their car because they couldn’t face travelling to pay for it¹
• 49 per cent of people have admitted to forgetting where they put their important documents such as MOT certificates and insurance certificates¹
• 62 per cent prefer to complete bill baying and admin tasks in the evening¹

Sources:
¹YouGov survey of 2,281 UK drivers, December 2005
²Private Motorists Survey 2004 Mori

For press enquiries regarding EVL contact:
Alex, Leonie, Matthew or Fiona at MGB Public Relations on
01792 460200 or fiona@mgbpr.com

For general DVLA press enquiries please contact:
DVLA Press office
01792 782318
press.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

www.dvla.gov.uk