Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency facts for kids
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 The DVLA in Swansea |
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1965 |
| Type | Executive agency |
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Swansea, Wales |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Department for Transport |
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is a very important part of the British government. Its main job is to keep track of all drivers and vehicles in Great Britain and the entire United Kingdom. Think of it like a giant record-keeper for cars and people who drive them!
The DVLA is in charge of giving out driving licences. These are the official cards that show you are allowed to drive. They also help collect money for something called vehicle excise duty. You might know this better as road tax. This money helps pay for roads and transport. The DVLA also sells special, unique number plates for cars.
This agency is an important part of the Department for Transport, which looks after all kinds of travel in the UK. The person in charge of the DVLA right now is Julie Lennard.
The main office of the DVLA is in Swansea, Wales. It has a tall, 16-storey building there. Years ago, the DVLA had many smaller offices all around Great Britain. But by December 2013, all these local offices closed. Now, almost all the DVLA's work is done from Swansea. Most people deal with the DVLA by post or sometimes by phone.
In 2004, the DVLA made it easier to pay for vehicle tax. They introduced Electronic Vehicle Licensing. This means you can pay your vehicle tax online or by phone. You can still pay your car tax at the Post Office too.
Contents
History of the DVLA
Before the DVLA was created, local councils in towns and counties handled vehicle registrations. This system started way back in 1903.
In 1968, a new central system was set up in Swansea. This new centre started taking over all the licensing work from the local councils. A special building was then built for this centre in Swansea in 1969.
In April 1990, the Swansea centre got a new name: the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. It became an executive agency, which means it's a special kind of government body that manages its own day-to-day work.
Special Vehicle Registrations
The DVLA also helps with special vehicle registrations. For example, cars used by British military families in Germany are registered with the DVLA. Also, official cars for diplomats and consuls (people who represent their country in another) are registered with the DVLA.
How the DVLA Database Works
The DVLA keeps a huge list of all vehicles in the UK. This list is called the vehicle register. It's used for many things. For example, the DVLA uses it to check if vehicles have paid their road tax. Other groups also use it to help manage traffic rules and road safety, like checking cars in busy city areas or those caught by speed cameras.
The DVLA's vehicle register was updated in 1998. It uses a special number called the vehicle identification number (VIN) to track each vehicle. This helps make sure every car has only one record.
A system called the Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) was once used to help stop car crime. It aimed to prevent criminals from using stolen cars with fake identities. If an insurance company said a car was badly damaged, the DVLA would put a "VIC marker" on its record. This meant the car needed an identity check before it could be taxed again. However, this system was stopped in October 2015.
Companies that check car histories also use DVLA records. This helps people who want to buy a used car learn more about its past. It's important that the information in the DVLA database is always correct. Anyone can ask for certain information from the database if they have a good reason, for a small fee.
The DVLA also has a database of drivers. This list has details of about 42 million people who hold driving licences in the UK. It helps the DVLA create driving licences. It also helps groups like the police and courts make sure everyone follows driving laws and stays safe on the roads.
Images for kids
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DVLA logo
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The DVLA building in Swansea
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Pre-2012 logo of DVLA
