Release
of information from DVLA records
The
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
receives requests to release information
from their records for various reasons.
The DVLA will lawfully release information
to anyone who demonstrates reasonable cause,
while taking into account the purpose of,
and the requirement to protect the data
held on their records.
Purpose
of DVLA vehicle register
The
DVLA vehicle register is maintained
primarily to identify vehicles used
on public roads, to assist law enforcement
and the collection of taxation, and
to facilitate improved road safety.
Requirement
for data protection
The
law requires the Agency to protect the
privacy of individual motorists and
to ensure that personal data is used
fairly and lawfully. However, whilst
the vehicle register is not an open
record, there are a limited range of
circumstances in which data can be used
properly for other purposes.
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Reasons
for release of vehicle register information
Regulations
provide for the release of information to the police and
to local authorities to assist with the investigation
of offences and parking restrictions. Information can
also be released to help enforce parking restrictions
and to anyone who can demonstrate 'reasonable cause' for
their request. DVLA is also registered under the Data
Protection Act to release information to other government
departments for scientific, technical, health, social
and economic research or statistical analysis. Other bodies
have powers that require DVLA to release data.
This
means that information will sometimes be lawfully made
available for a variety of purposes, including:
- the
Department for Transport to facilitate traffic surveys
- to
anyone who can demonstrate reasonable cause, including
insurance companies, finance houses and the public
- to
local government bodies seeking to enforce road
user charging initiatives eg keeper details passed
to the Transport for London to enforce the London
congestion charging scheme
- to
other local and central government bodies that use
vehicle data to investigate benefit fraud
- to
courts and bailiffs to enforce court orders
Making
a request for information from DVLA records
Requests
for information from DVLA records should be in writing.
You can request personal information held about yourself,
or information about other vehicle keepers. Requests for
vehicle information can be made online or by telephone.
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