Press release 25: DVLA reaches final of national business awards

Swansea’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) was last night (Tuesday 13th November) recognised as the regional winner in the Best Use of Technology in Business category at the 2007 National Business Awards, at a ceremony hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Described by Prime Minister Gordon Brown as ‘the UK’s business Oscars’, the National Business Awards is an independent programme that recognises success, innovation and ethics in business, identifying outstanding organisations of all sizes and from all sectors across the UK.

DVLA received the award for the Wales and West Country Region, for its Electronic Vehicle Licensing (EVL) service, an online facility that allows motorists to renew their vehicle licence online and by telephone. The Agency beat off stiff competition from blue chip companies and other public sector organisations, including EDF Energy, The Barclaycard and Thomas Cook Partnership and Norwich Union.

EVL operates in addition to the existing Post Office re-licensing facility, offering more choice for consumers. The system allows motorists to renew their vehicle licence without the need to locate paper copies of their MOT and insurance certificates. DVLA issues a reminder to all motorists when their licence is due to expire, containing a reference number which motorists quote online, or over the phone. DVLA electronically checks insurance and MOT validity via external databases, and the tax disc is issued via the post.

Andrew Rhodes, Head of Electronic Customer Services at DVLA, said:

"We are delighted to have received this prestigious award, which is further evidence of what a groundbreaking service EVL is. Over 16 million motorists have already used the system, with more than a third of all re-licensing customers now taking advantage of the electronic channels. Our feedback tells us that it is the time saving and ease of use which appeals most to users, who like to be able to do their business at a time most appropriate to them and not when tradition dictates.

EVL is a fantastic example of technology working to make people’s life easier. The award is the culmination of hard work from a lot of people within the Agency, delivering a system that is quick and easy to use, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When you consider that 2,200 people chose to use the system on Christmas Day, you begin to understand the impact that EVL is already having on everyday life. To have the success of EVL recognised through a national award system, beating off considerable competition from some of the biggest names in the private sector is a considerable achievement that everybody who has worked on EVL can take pride in."

Already this year, EVL has won honours at the CG Awards for Innovation and the UK Government CIO Council Award. This latest honour comes just as DVLA have received a further nomination for EVL in the category of Central e-Government Excellence: Take-up & Usage Growth at the 2007 e-Government Awards, which takes place at the Dorchester Hotel in London on 22nd January.

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