| The DVLA is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency | | | | license renewal was replaced with a three-year |
| in the United Kingdom. It is the organization responsible | | | | renewal policy. In 1963, the use of an alphabetical letter |
| for issuing drivers' licenses, vehicle licenses, collecting | | | | was introduced to help cope with the volumes of |
| road excise duty - more commonly known as road | | | | vehicles wanting registration. By 1965, it became |
| tax and road fund license--and maintaining a database | | | | obvious that a central registration agency was |
| of registered vehicles and drivers in the UK. Officially, it | | | | necessary, and so the Driver and Vehicle Licensing |
| was an centralized organization created in 1965; | | | | Agency was born. |
| however, its origins date back to soon after the | | | | Developments at the DVLA Over the Years |
| invention of the automobile. | | | | Following the plans to centralize driver and vehicle |
| The Dawn of a New Era | | | | registration in the UK, the government started to |
| In 1888 when Karl Benz designed the first petrol-driven | | | | formalize the registration process. By 1969, they had |
| motor vehicle, it had quite an effect on the transport | | | | designated Swansea in Wales at the central location |
| mode of the day. Pedestrians used to listening out for | | | | for the DVLC which was supported by 81 LVLOs, |
| the clip clop of horses hooves suddenly found | | | | otherwise known as Local Vehicle Licensing Offices. |
| themselves in danger of being run over by a far more | | | | The DVLC was responsible for issuing driving licenses |
| ominous machine. The seemingly loud noise of the | | | | and vehicle registration documents, and maintaining the |
| motor driven engine also seemed to startle horses. | | | | central database of vehicle and license records. The |
| After what can only be imagined to have been quite a | | | | LVLOs were responsible for the registration of new |
| few accidents, a number of laws to regulate motor | | | | and imported vehicles, thereby enforcing registration |
| vehicles were passed. One of these almost negated | | | | laws. In 1974, reflective license plates were made |
| the advantages of the faster transport speed that the | | | | compulsory and the red license book was replaced |
| vehicle offered. The law stated that the vehicle had to | | | | with a computer-generated document. In 1976, the |
| be operated by at least three people. One of which | | | | validity of drivers' licenses was extended so that they |
| had to walk in front of the vehicle with a red flag to | | | | remained valid until a person’s 70th birthday. |
| warn oncoming traffic and passersby. It may seem | | | | In 1983, the alphabetical suffix was dropped in favor of |
| laughable now but remember that in the late-1800s, the | | | | a prefix letter format. A year later, a new computer |
| invention of the motor vehicle was quite a mind shift | | | | system installed in Swansea helped to improve |
| for most people. | | | | efficiency in vehicle registration and licensing. At the |
| The Foundations of Automobile Regulations | | | | same time, the LVLOs were reduced to 53 offices |
| By 1903, local councils were given the responsibility of | | | | and renamed Vehicle Registration Offices, also known |
| licensing drivers and their vehicles. Interestingly enough, | | | | as VROs. In addition, by 1985, almost 95 percent of all |
| a license was given to anyone who applied. No | | | | vehicle license applications were now being processed |
| proficiency or medical tests were performed at this | | | | through the Post Office. Through the late-1980s, the |
| time. Drivers simply completed an application and paid | | | | department continued to restructure itself and improve |
| the five shillings. Thereafter, they were registered. The | | | | its efficiency and in 1993, the DVLA was awarded the |
| minimum designated age for driving a motor vehicle | | | | Charter Mark for excellence in delivery of a public |
| was 17 years of age, and for motorcycles it was 14 | | | | service on behalf of the entire agency. A year later, |
| years old. At the same time, fines were introduced for | | | | the agency also received the accolade of being |
| unlicensed vehicles. In 1910, it became necessary to | | | | Employer of the Year because of its family-friendly |
| renew vehicle licenses quarterly and annually. At the | | | | policies. |
| same time, the first road tax was introduced. | | | | By 1995, an Automated First Registration and Licensing |
| In 1935, driving tests were introduced and made a | | | | system allowed car dealers to issue a license when |
| compulsory requirement for obtaining a driver's license. | | | | selling a new vehicle. In 1996, the DVLA received the |
| The test cost seven shillings. In the years that followed, | | | | Charter Mark for the second time and the third time in |
| special drivers' licenses for heavy goods vehicles | | | | 1999. In the 2000s, the DVLA has seen many |
| were introduced. During the Second World War, | | | | computer and structural developments, all aimed at |
| drivers competency tests were suspended and only | | | | improving efficiency and systems. In 2005, the DVLA |
| resumed again in 1946. In the late-1950s, the annual | | | | received the Charter Mark for the fifth time. |