DVLA set to introduce major driving licence changes that will have huge impact on UK motorists
The new plans aim to slash waiting times for driving licence applications
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The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has set out a number of new targets for its driving licence waiting times amid motorists dealing with long delays.
Many people have been calling on the DVLA to improve its services in response to long delays stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and industrial action.
New proposals have been unveiled which will see the Government organisation set a number of pledges and targets for the following year.
The plan for 2023 to 2024 will see a 95 per cent target to dispatch applications made online for a driving licence in three days.
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The same target applies to people applying online for a vehicle registration certificate in three working days and tachograph applications in three working days.
For those applying via the post, the DVLA will aim for a 90 per cent target to dispatch driving licences in 10 working days and vehicle registration certificates in the same time frame.
To ensure the heavy transport industry stays on the road, a 90 per cent target has been made to dispatch postal applications for tachographs and vocational driving licences in five working days.
The DVLA also plans to create a “dynamic digital organisation” which will expand the services available in the Driver and Vehicles Account.
The first expansion of the services will start with the 10-year driving licence renewal service.
Julie Lennard, DVLA chief executive and accounting officer, said the organisation was ready to deliver on the new plans and help people deal with their motoring needs.
She added: “The Driver and Vehicles account is being developed iteratively and in an agile way, so we will be adding services and functionality throughout its private and public beta stages.
“In the coming year, both the 10-year driving licence renewal and application for a first provisional licence services will be developed through the account.
“Another feature of the new service this year will be the ‘go paperless’ option where customers can sign up for a digital reminder to tax their vehicle rather than relying on an annual paper reminder we currently send through the post.”
The DVLA has also promised to make a licensing decision on medical cases within 90 days, with a success target rate of 90 per cent.
It also acknowledged how huge changes would need to be introduced in the coming years to deal with the tax system changes in 2025 when electric cars will be charged with Vehicle Excise Duty.
Lesley Cowley OBE, non-executive chair of the DVLA, praised the new targets and the work that was being done to keep drivers on the road.
She said: “We know that our customers expect fast and efficient services from us and we will aim to meet our targets on dispatching important documents like driving licences, tachograph cards and vehicle registration certificates that our customers need.
“Where our services rely on external reports or inputs, for example from a medical professional, we will continue to work hard to minimise any resultant delays where this is within our gift to do so.
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The DVLA unveiled its 2024 plan earlier this week
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“We will also work hard to retain the customer service standards we currently hold and we will continue to listen and act on customer feedback where possible.”