GovWire

From today (2 August 2023), motorists can opt for digital vehicle tax reminders rather than having to wait for a paper reminder to drop through their letter box. The change comes as part of DVLAs new Driver and vehicles account service, which launches on GOV.UK today.

The new service, which allows motorists to easily access their driver and vehicle information in one place, has been launched as a public beta and DVLA are asking motorists to provide feedback to help develop the service.

The Driver and vehicles account is easy-to-use, secure, and it only takes around 5 minutes to sign up. Once an account has been set up, motorists can simply sign in using their email and password, and will be able to:

• view their driving licence information, including endorsements and penalty points
• view vehicles that are registered to them including tax and MOT status
• change their contact preferences
• set up vehicle tax reminders by email and for the first time by SMS text
• choose to stop getting vehicle tax reminders by post

Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive, said:

We are asking motorists to help us test the service. Its free, and simple to sign up for an account. This new service is being developed and we will be adding more features but we want to give customers access as early as possible so they can try it out and let us have their feedback.

Motorists with a UK passport can set up an account today and give their feedback on the new service at www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account

Notes to editors

• DVLA is a digital first organisation responsible for maintaining over 50 million driver records and 40 million vehicle records.

To sign up for a Driver and vehicles account, motorists should:

• go to www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account
• provide an email address and validate their details with a one-time passcode
• provide their personal details including name, date of birth, and address
• verify their identity using a UK passport (which can include those expired within the last 12 months)
• provide a GB Driving Licence or a National insurance number (DVLA may also carry out additional identity checks)
• create a password

The Driver and vehicles account is available to GB driving licence holders only. It does not extend to Northern Ireland. Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) Northern Ireland is responsible for licensing drivers in Northern Ireland and hold those records, not DVLA.

NI customers can view their vehicle information online by going to www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

Motorists who have chosen to tax their vehicle by Direct Debit do not need to sign up to receive a digital V11 reminder because their Direct Debit will renew automatically (providing their vehicle has a valid MOT).

Additional services planned for the account include:

• Applying for a first provisional driving licence
• Ten-year licence renewal where customers will be able to upload a photo and track its progress