The UK government has launched an independent review of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
The DVLA will be assessed on its efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance, the four pillars set by the Cabinet Office to judge the performance and operation of public bodies. The review has not been commissioned because of any suggestion of wrongdoing or inappropriate activity by the DVLA, but is a recognition of the size of the organisation, the importance of the data it holds, and the way its services are changing.
As the DVLA holds records of over 50 million drivers and 40 million vehicles, and collects £7 billion in vehicle excise duty, its processes and structure need to be regularly reviewed so they are at the level required of such an agency.
The review will be led by Janette Beinart, non-executive director of the Cabinet Office and National Highways, and previously vice president and global chief information officer at Shell International.
“DVLA plays a crucial role in making sure drivers and vehicles can get around legally, safely and with confidence, giving drivers peace of mind by storing their records safely and tackling vehicle tax evasion,” said Roads Minister Richard Holden. “With over 80% of all transactions now being carried out online, this review will help us understand how the DVLA can continue to grow from strength to strength and how we can support it to become more digital to efficiently serve the increasingly digitally savvy driver.”
The review will also assess how the DVLA works with its wide range of stakeholders inside and outside of Government to help keep Britain’s roads safe.
DVLA non-executive chair, Lesley Cowley, welcomed the review as an opportunity to highlight its commitment to delivering “world-class” services, its role in keeping Britain’s roads safe, and the “hard work and dedication” of more than 6,000 staff. “It comes at an important time for DVLA as we continue to launch new digital services and set ambitious targets for the future, as a forward thinking, dynamic organisation.
The review is expected to be published over the winter.
