DVLA closures plan for 39 offices

[eSteve]

Hi all,

just read about a proposal for the DVLA to close 39 DLVA offices by 2013. The list is given in the link and reproduced here:

Beverley in East Yorkshire, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Carlisle, Chelmsford in Essex, Chester, Exeter, Ipswich, Leeds, Lincoln, Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, Sidcup in south east London, and Wimbledon in south west London, Maidstone in Kent, Manchester, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Preston, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Stockton-on-Tees, Theale in Berkshire, Truro, Worcester, Bangor in Gwynedd, Cardiff, Swansea, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness will also be affected.


So could be a longer jaunt for some (inc. me Bounrnmouth is on the list) unless you get your build finished PDQ (by 2013, that won't be me then!).


Link to BBC news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16158015


Steve

[MikeB]

dumb question.

At what part of the build do we need the local DVLA branch.
Chassis number? Getting a reg number?

Cheers

Mike

[eSteve]

Initialy I thought that the list was not all local offices and there was one in Southampton. Hence my quip about a longer jaunt.

But, on re-reading it appears that ALL local offices are proposed for closure. Am I reading it correctly?

There is a link on the BBC page (in prev. post) within the sentance "The proposals affect all 39 regional offices (http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/%7E/media/pdf/consultations/Consultation_December_2011.ashx), described by Mr Penning as "expensive". " Which seems to indicate that there is some public consultation on this up until March 2012.

I am wondering; how will the inspection of car and VIN will be done by the DLVA when issuing the V5 after the IVA has been passed?

MikeB,

the DLVA are involved at (at least) two stages:

1. Getting a VIN number (which is needed on the car for IVA), this can be done by post or in person at an office (I did it in person when I was registering another car).

2. After the IVA; once you have a pass certificate, one goes to the DVLA office with car and certificate and all one's other documents (donor reg if going for age related plate, proof it's self-built etc.), the bloke at the DLVA then 'inspects' it. That si, he checks the car you have claimed to have built is the one bearing the VIN number, has passed IVA and possibly checks the engine age.

[MikeB]

seems like all of them.
could be fun getting to swansea post IVA!

[robo]

Its worse than that because there is now a raft of vehicle related clerical shite the good old post office is no longer allowed to deal with. Like anything the powers that be get involved with, a complete fiasco. Two of those on that list I use so I am dischuffed.:mad:

Bob

[twinturbo]

Balls,

Local office's are so much easier to work with!

Must crack on then!

TT

[K4KEV]

Gonna need to get my finger out and graft some to get my build back on track ....this is not good news for all motorists, while online services make life easy there is always a downside and it is becoming evident everywhere, just look at the continuing demise of the high street due to online shopping.
Couple of decades time the IVA might be done by holographic means via xbox720

[eSteve]

I have this morning asked the DVLA what the process is intended to be for home builders registering cars if there is no local DVLA office to attend.

I have also emailed the editor of CKC (Ian Stent) to see if they can find out any more information on what the new process might involve.

As has been previously suggested; issuing of a V5, or a pro-forma to obtain one by post, by VOSA at their IVA inspection sites could be a possibility.

[Cyberbeej]

I've noticed that the dvla depot/office where my local IVA will take place isn't on the list. I'm assuming these depots/offices will have more duties with regards to vehicle inspections and the like.

At the moment i would have to go to Bishopbriges in glasgow. I was told by the lady there that the Kilmarnock depot was getting ready to do the new IVA test in the new year when i was down for a VIC check in june.

[eSteve]

One needs to remeber the BBC article is about DLVA offices and not VOSA sites, where IVAs are conducted.

As I stated; if the VOSA site could do the DVLA inspection on behalf of the DLAV then all is well.

The DirectGov site here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/RegisteringAVehicle/DG_4022316

says how the registraion of a new vehicle is carried out (including for us self-builders) near the end it says:

"What happens next

The DVLA local office may wish to inspect the vehicle before allocating an appropriate vehicle registration mark. Your identity documentation will be returned to you with the vehicle tax disc. If you would like the documents returned by special delivery, you will need to provide a prepaid self addressed, special delivery envelope. The DVLA cannot guarantee the return of the documents by a specific date."


When I obtained my VIN form the DLVA office in Bournemouth the officer there said he does need to physically inspect the vehcile after IVA, but I understand this is decided on an office by office basis so:

The 'may' in the first sentence could be dropped and then a visit to an actual DLVA office would not be required.

[flyerncle]

Shoot me if I am wrong but are we not confusing LVLO with DVLA,LVLO being loacal vehicle licensing office that deal with chassis number issue and V5 applications etc.

[TSM Locost]

Googled LVLO and came up DVLA. are we not allowed to make our own using say your initials and postcode for example.

The original requirements were:
7.
The VIN number must consist of 17 digits. Numbers or letters or a mixture. Do not use letter "Z", "I" or letter "O" but figures "1" and "0" are ok
8.
The information must be shown in a single line. You should start and end with an asterisk so no numbers/letter can subsequently be added
9.
Capital letters and numerals must be used for the manufacturer’s name and VIN

10. There must not be any gaps large enough to insert extra characters between the characters for the VIN shown on the manufacturer’s plate or stamped into the vehicle.
11.
Other than in the case of a Mass Produced vehicle the characters on the manufacturer’s plate must be at least 3.5mm high.
12.
The characters used for the VIN stamped into the chassis, frame or other similar structure must be at least 3.5mm high.

Or contact DVLA office and ask them for one, but may have to wait a month or more,

[eSteve]

TSM Locost,

looks like you've got hold of the wrong end of the stick!:)

We are not discussing obtaining, or the spec., for a VIN number, but the consequence of the proposed DVLA local office closures on registering one's vehicle to obtain a V5 after passing IVA.

[robo]

Whatever happens it will result in less of a service from dvla which can only be described as piss poor at best. Anyone that has tried the dvla metal mickey mindless phone option system thats in place will know its already a load of tosh with worse to come:( :(

Bob

[Homersdouble]

I called into Portsmouth DVLA office yesterday to get my VIN. I won't go into too much detail but some staff really DONT know what they are talking about :mad: . However eventually got to talk to somene who showed a bit of interest and came away with a VIN.
At the end of our chat I asked how this would work when the offices closed and the answer is that the whole process will be done by correspondance only (no personal visits) with Swansea.

So if you have half a chance of finishing your build in the next 6-12 months get on with it before the whole system is in chaos.