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DVLA reissues warning over copycat websites

The warning comes as the Transport Committee says that the DVLA should be doing more to warn drivers of copycat websites, as part of a package of measures to make sure the motoring agencies are meeting drivers’ and businesses’ needs.

The DVLA says it has been made aware of several websites offering a check and send service for driving licence or vehicle tax applications. These services are in no way affiliated with DVLA and the Office of Fair Trading has ruled that websites which charge additional fees and services are not acting illegally.

These websites will claim to offer value-added services to ensure your application is correct before you send it to DVLA. However, using this service will mean you can end up paying as much as three times the normal price for your driving licence, and all you will receive is a paper application form that has been completed for you.

The government, led by Cabinet Office's Government Digital Service (GDS) is leading the work between departments and a number of organisations that have a role to prevent websites making misleading claims. They are working with the Advertising Standards Authority, National Trading Standards Body (NTSB), Nominet (the internet registry services provider for all .uk domain names), 'Which' and search engine providers such as Google, to raise awareness of this issue and to ensure enforcement action is taken where appropriate. The e-crime unit at NTSB have, on behalf of government, closed down several sites found to be acting fraudently.

The DVLA’s online driving licence and vehicle tax services in the driving licence and vehicle tax sections of GOV.UK.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.