An independent review of DVLA has been commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT). It describes the exercise as being intended to ensure that the Agency “can continue to provide a licensing service to motorists and the public.”
The review has multiple aims, with one being the enabling of ministers to understand how they can support DVLA in becoming “more digital.” Another is to identify scope for efficiency savings.
Overarching function of the review will be to asses DVLA against four pillars set by the Cabinet Office: Accountability, efficacy, efficiency, and governance. It will also assess how DVLA works with stakeholders within and outside government.
A summary of the review scope has been published in its terms of reference (ToR). Among the individual aspects to be considered are how DVLA delivers on objectives for customers and stakeholders, and whether lines of accountability are clear and balanced, including the extent to which the Agency is accountable to its customers.
During the immediate post-pandemic period DVLA was criticised by sectors including coach and bus for delays in issuing vocational driving licences. At least one operator noted that the slow-down had caused it to lose trainee drivers. In some cases, vocational applications were sitting unopened for over two months at the Agency’s headquarters.
Those difficulties have largely been solved, but a potential worry in the ToR sits under efficiency. There is a desire to identify “where savings to resource departmental expenditure limits of at least 5% can be made,” with the review being asked to identify “where efficiency gains, both cashable and non-cashable, can be made within DVLA.”
Under-Secretary of State for Transport Richard Holden notes that 80% of all transactions with DVLA are carried out online, hence the interest in further digitisation.
“This review will help us to understand how DVLA can continue to grow from strength to strength and how we can support it to become more digital to efficiently service the increasingly digitally savvy driver,” Mr Holden continues.
DVLA non-executive Chair Lesley Cowley OBE says that the Agency welcomes the review. “It comes at an important time for DVLA as we continue to launch new digital services and set ambitious targets for the future, as a forward thinking, dynamic organisation,” she adds.
The exercise will be led by Janette Beinart. She is a non-executive Director of the Cabinet Office and National Highways, and was previously Vice-President and Global Chief Information Officer at Shell International.
Ms Beinart will consult what DfT says is “targeted stakeholders” as part of the review, including businesses and representative bodies. Findings and recommendations are expected to be published in early 2024.
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