A question and answer session with the DVLA proved a crowd-puller at the ACFO London East regional meeting.

The autumn meeting, on Friday October 4, attracted around 70 fleet managers from across the capital and south east, many of whom were not ACFO members. 

The main draw was a question and answer session from Ryan Davies from the DVLA, focusing on changes to VED and tax discs for new vehicles, and the abolition of the paper counterpart licence, changes reported in Fleet News earlier this year.

Many fleets reported a lack of communication from the body, along with leasing companies that were refusing to release vehicles until the tax disc had arrived, despite non-display now being permitted for 14 days.

The representative reminded fleets that the change allowed vehicles to be registered 14 days in advance of the ‘start date’, but dealers present also expressed frustrations that vehicles weren’t able to be released, contrary to regulations.

Fleets were told that plans to abolish the paper counterpart are still at an early stage, despite a red tape pledge to remove them on 1 January 2015. Fears were expressed that, whereas at present a paper licence could be checked for endorsements for free, any digital system would be chargeable.

Davies said that there were currently no plans to charge fleets for access, but they were currently considering options. The scheme is still in the planning stages, with no project management team currently appointed.

 

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