Press release 23: New Code of Practice issued by Accredited Trade Associations

From 1 October 2007, unregulated companies and organisations who request vehicle registration information electronically from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) must be members of a DVLA Accredited Trade Association.

Those bodies and companies seeking approved conditional access that do not have an appropriate regulatory body are required to be current members of an ‘accredited’ trade association. Part of the process for ‘accrediting’ trade associations will include ensuring that there is a clear and enforced code of conduct (for example relating to conduct and how DVLA data may be used)

This is the last of the 14 major new measures to be introduced following an announcement on 24 July 2006 of a review of the release of data from the UK vehicle registers to ensure it is undertaken in a way that:

• protects vehicle keepers from misuse of their information;
• ensures that those who do have a good case can get the data they need;
• balances the right to privacy of individuals whose data is held on the register with the rights of others to gain proper redress;
• is cost effective – in that the costs to all are proportionate to the benefits that the scheme delivers;
• and is right in principle and works in practice.

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   Notes for Editors

 Details of when information is released can be found by logging on to:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/AdviceOnKeepingYourVehicle

All press enquiries should be directed to:

DVLA Press Office

01792 782318

www.press.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

www.dvla.gov.uk