DVLA urges motorists to use new service to monitor car tax and driving licence changes

The "Driver and vehicles account" allows Britons to view their motoring details through the DVLA portal, including an option to set reminders for vehicle tax.

This was launched to help the DVLA achieve its aim of slashing the amount of paper it uses, with drivers now having the choice to go paperless so all details would be accessible in the Driver and vehicle account.

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Posting on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, the DVLA celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Driver and vehicles account.

It highlighted how drivers are able to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email, renew their photocard driving licence and view their driving record.

Drivers can sign up for the scheme in "five minutes" through the DVLA website if they have an email address and validate their details with a passcode.

Once they have provided their personal details, verified their identity using a passport, provided a licence number and created a password, they will be able to view their details.

In addition to the features included in the Driver and vehicles account, the DVLA confirmed that it would continue to update the service to help motorists.

In November last year, around three months after launch, the DVLA announced that it would be possible for professional drivers to view their CPC and tachograph driver card details.

Motorists can also renew their driving licence every 10 years, allowing Britons to upload their own driving licence photo, rather than having to use a passport photo.

People are also able to apply for a first provisional driving licence through the service once the feature is fully rolled out by the DVLA.

In April, the Government agency reported that more than 890,000 people have set up an account since August.

It added that many had already taken advantage of the 24-hour online service, allowing them to access their driving and vehicle details in one place.

In the DVLA's plan for 2024, the agency pledged to make a licensing decision on medical cases within 90 days, with a 90 per cent success rate - something which has caused issues for motorists in recent years.

Speaking at the time, Lesley Cowey OBE, non-executive chair of the DVLA, backed the targets, saying that drivers needed such measures to keep them on the road.

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She added: "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."