DVLA Advice and Guidance

The BVRLA works closely with DVLA to assist members in reducing the administration burden when dealing with DVLA.

Unfortunately, DVLA is fairly antiquated in their approach and many of their procedures require members to fill in forms and post documentation.

To access the legislative and policy changes which we are lobbying DVLA on please see the quick links box.

The BVRLA established a forum which provides members with the opportunity to:   

• Share best practice
• Agree problem areas 
• Propose solutions to DVLA  
• Assist with providing data to help lobby on system and procedure changes for DVLA 
• Assist with development of the motor industry services project

VED refund rules

The DVLA have now changed their procedure for processing refunds, unless the VED refund application is in the same name as the registered keeper a refund will not be paid.  Given the various different ways that members' register their vehicles we have successfully secured an interpretation which should mean that members are still able to obtain a refund in most cases.  A detailed fact sheet in the quick links section should assist members further.

VED future changes

The Chancellor confirmed in the March 2009 Budget, that from April 2010 a new first year rate of VED will be introduce for all new cars purchased. Rental members who dispose of vehicles within twelve months will only be paying this first year rate and will end up paying  nothing to tax their cleanest vehicles (lower than 130g/km CO2) but more to tax their higher polluting cars.

Six month tax discs will not be available for vehicles over 165 g/km CO2 and refunds on the unexpired portion of discs for these vehicles will only be paid as a proportion of the applicable standard rate. Our fact sheet available in the quick links section provides full details on all the changes.

Here are some examples of how the new changes will effect members-  

All Volkswagen Polo’s (apart from GTI models) will be zero rated for VED in the first year, falling into bands A-D of the VED regime. Members would benefit from zero-rated tax and no refund processing.

A Ford Mondeo 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel falls into band G and its first year rate VED is the same as for subsequent years. This means members can continue to purchase six-month VEDs or received refunds for the full unexpired portion at the rate paid in the first year.

A Peugeot 807 will fall into the new band K. This means no six-month tax is available and members will have to pay the first year VED rate of £550. If the vehicle is disposed of in the first year, for example after seven months, a refund for the remaining 5 months can be applied for but will only be paid at a proportion of the standard rate. So instead of receiving £229.16 back you will only get £102.08 on your VED refund for this vehicle.

Driving licence 10 year renewal

The photograph on the licence is only valid for 10 years. As the first photocard licences were introduced in July 1998, photographs will begin to expire from July 2008. From then on, drivers who hold a photocard licence will need to renew their photograph at the ten year point. This is a mandatory requirement under UK law and failure to comply may result in a fine of up to £1000.  Further information  can be downloaded from the link below or advice and guidance for members can be accessed from fact sheet 561 on driving licences:
DVLA - Poster on 10 year renewal
Fact Sheet 561 - Driving Licence