Drivers will be able to have extra ways of getting their licence or making changes following new plans by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). From Tuesday motorists can renew their photocard driving licence online through their driver and vehicles account.
And those learning to drive will be able to apply for their first provisional licence through the same service. According the the DVLA these are two of its highest volume driving licence transactions and they will join a number of other things you can do online.
So far 890,000 people have signed up for the service since its launch less than a year ago. This allows them to check details of things such as the vehicles they are allowed to drive, check for penalty points or driving bans and check the tax rates for their vehicles. It also allows people receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email rather than relying on paper reminders sent through the post.
Under the new changes drivers will be able to complete a 10-year renewal of their photocard driving licence through the service. Motorists will be able to track their application, see details of their new driving licence once issued and choose whether to upload their own photo, or allow DVLA to digitally access and use their existing passport photo through its secure link with HM Passport Office.
This service is part of DVLA’s digital transformation plan which aims to create digital services so good that people choose to use them over other channels. These additional services come after it was announced last October that commercial drivers could view their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and tachograph information through the driver and vehicles account service.
Guy Opperman, Minister for Roads and Local Transport, said: "Renewing your driving licence should be an easy, accessible, straightforward process so that motorists can continue to drive safely. That’s why it’s great to see DVLA offer motorists the opportunity to renew their driving licence and apply for a first provisional licence all in one place, as DVLA continues to evolve into an increasingly dynamic, digital, and customer-centric organisation."
Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive, said: "We are pleased to say that two of our most popular services are now available through our Driver and vehicles account, providing even more convenience for our customers. We want to make transacting with us as simple and as streamlined as possible, which is why we will continue to add more features and services to the account so that our customers can get what they need from DVLA quicker and easier than ever before."
Motorists with a UK and non-UK passport (with valid online immigration status) can set up an account today and give their feedback on the new service.
