The Government has launched an independent review of the DVLA.

The Government has launched an independent review of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) so that it can continue to keep drivers and vehicles on the road simply, safely and efficiently.

With over 50 million driver records and more than 40 million vehicle records, the DVLA maintains the correct registration and licensing of millions of drivers while protecting data and tackling vehicle tax evasion. DVLA also collects £7 billion in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) annually on behalf of HM Treasury and is a net contributor to Government finances, raising more than £260 million in 2022-23.

The review will assess DVLA based on the four pillars set by the Cabinet Office of efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance.

Janette Beinart, non-executive director of the Cabinet Office and National Highways and previously vice president and global chief information officer at Shell International, has been appointed to lead the review with support from Department for Transport officials. The review is expected to conclude this winter.

Roads minister Richard Holden said: “DVLA plays a crucial role in making sure drivers and vehicles can get around legally, safely and with confidence, giving drivers peace of mind by storing their records safely and tackling vehicle tax evasion. With over 80% of all transactions now being carried out online, this review will help us understand how the DVLA can continue to grow from strength to strength and how we can support it to become more digital to efficiently serve the increasingly digitally savvy driver.”