Government launches independent review of DVLA

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will be assessed on efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance, after the Government launched an independent review.

With more than 50 million driver records and more than 40 million vehicle records, the DVLA maintains the correct registration and licensing of millions of drivers while protecting data and tackling vehicle tax evasion.

The DVLA also collects £7 billion in vehicle excise duty (VED) annually and is a net contributor to Government finances, raising more than £260 million in 2022-23 for the Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT) through the sale and processing of personalised registrations and transfers.

The review will assess DVLA based on the four pillars set by the Cabinet Office of efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance. 

Janette Beinart, non-executive director of the Cabinet Office and National Highways, and previously vice president and global chief information officer at Shell International, has been appointed to lead the review with support from DfT officials. The review is expected to conclude this winter.

Roads minister Richard Holden said: “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.

“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 DVLA works with its wide range of stakeholders within 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.

He continued: “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.

“We look forward to working closely with the Government in support of this review over the coming weeks and months.”

Further detail on areas the review will cover can be found in the terms of reference.