DVLA Introduces new Fleet Vehicle Service

The DVLA has started private testing of its free online View Vehicle Record (VVR) service. The 12 companies testing the service range from small to large sized businesses to help give a good representation of the industry. Once the testing is complete, it will have an open public testing phase before the actual launch in spring.

This new service will allow fleet customers to be alerted when vehicles need taxing a month in advance, when MOT renewals are due and when a vehicle reaches a certain age. For fleet managers this tool has the potential to save a lot of time and stress.

The DVLA are testing VVR in order to make more of its processes digital. It will also revoke the paper counterpart licence in June. Originally they were going to revoke this in January, but had to delay the move after BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) expressed concerns about licence checking functionality.

Customers wanting to join the Fleet scheme can do so for free but must have more than 50 vehicles in their fleet. They must also provide a formal written request along with the V5C’s of all their vehicles. Once they have provided their details to the DVLA, the organisation gives a fleet number which is an exclusive identifier. This number is then added to all V5C’s in the company’s fleet.

There are benefits to the fleet scheme which include; receipt of vehicle documents in bulk including V11 & V85/1 tax reminders and V5C registration certificates, Bulk taxation at a Post Office and access to a dedicated fleet operator support helpdesk. This will allow access to vehicles fleet data, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while also being able to see when a vehicle is due an MOT and to be taxed.

Becky Scott - a participant of the beta phase - said, Tusker direct Limited has been privately testing the VVR system for almost a week now and so far I have to say it’s great! The login is easy and straightforward as is the functionality of the system. The data displayed on the screen is easy to follow and simple in its design which makes it easy on the eyes and straightforward to follow.