A review of the DVLA and its fitness for purpose has concluded but the change of government means approval for publication is pending

The top-to-bottom Cabinet Office-led inquiry into the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which launched last July, has been concluded. The Department for Transport (DfT) Review Team confirmed to the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) that a final report has been produced, including recommendations, which is now awaiting approval following the UK’s change of government.

Launched on July 23, 2023, the review assessed the DVLA to see if it was still fit for purpose, based on the four pillars set by the Cabinet Office of efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance. It was announced after the FBHVC had applied considerable pressure to government over a range of issues about how the DVLA deals with historic vehicle registrations, following an apparent change in its attitude and procedures. The chairman of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, David Whale, presented a total of 12 pages of evidence to the review.

Janette Beinart, non-executive director of the Cabinet Office and National Highways, and previously vice-president and global chief information officer at Shell International, led the review with support from a team of officials within the DfT. At the time, Ms Beinart intended to submit a report of her findings, including a series of recommendations, to Transport Ministers in Spring 2024.

The update follows the General Election on July 4, and the appointment of Louise Haigh MP as the new Secretary of State for Transport. A DfT message to the FBHVC thanked it for its engagement with Janette Beinart and the DVLA Review team, which has informed the recommendations of the final report.

“The Review has now concluded but as you will understand, the General Election has impacted the publication of the final report,” added the message. “The report is subject to approval by new Ministers and we will update you in due course.”

The Review should not be confused with the DVLA call for evidence launched on May 9, 2024, which sought to gain enthusiast opinion regarding the registering of historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles converted to electric. This concluded on July 4.

It’s now a waiting game to see what the new Labour government will do with the review and the call for evidence, with the hope that all the hard work the FBHVC has put into both won’t have been in vain.