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National Numbers Articles

Hundreds of jobs in danger at DVA, Coleraine

March 6, 2013
Posted in DVLA,DVLA News — Written by National Numbers

Over 250 jobs could be lost in the centralisation of DVLA services.

The current plan to transfer key responsibilities to Swansea would result in job losses in Northern Ireland, it is feared.

Further job losses across the UK could also result from current intentions to move more systems to an online platform, endangering local offices.

It is suggested that the changes would make things simpler for the public while also being cheaper for the government to run, but East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has disputed this.

“The government are not targeting an under-performing agency to make savings as the DVLA is self-financing and produces a significant operating surplus,” he said.

“There are also other work opportunities which could be done more cost effectively in Coleraine.”

Centralisation plans hit a stumbling block when there were met with industrial action during 2012.

Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Alex Attwood, who backed these strikes, is to hold talks with the UK Transport Department in an effort to protect the jobs at risk.

Attwood MP has previously said that he has been assured than no decision like this would be made without first consulting him.

A representative of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance has referred to the centralisation as an axe that had been hanging over the Coleraine staff since 2011, and that Attwood would have a “tough job” persuading the government to go down a different road.

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1,213 Jobs At Risk as DVLA Shut Local Offices

July 4, 2012
Posted in DVLA — Written by National Numbers

Major changes to the DVLA will see the closure of all regional offices, affecting the jobs of 1,213 workers.

The 39 local offices and 10 enforcement centres will start to be phased out in October 2013 on the wake of major changes to some of the DVLA’s services.

“I understand that the phased closure of the regional offices will come as a disappointment to those directly affected,” says Roads Minister, Mike Penning, who oversaw the proposed improvements to the DVLA. “I would like to thank the staff in these offices who have played an important part in DVLA service delivery over the years.”

Most of the DVLA’s current functions will be made available online or centralised to the main office in Swansea.

Simon Tse, Chief Executive of DVLA, says that the main priority going forward is to provide support and guidance to vulnerable workers.

“We are working closely with the Public and Commercial Services union and those members of staff directly affected”, says Simon Tse, who goes on to say staff will be encouraged “to explore all avenues, including possible relocation to Swansea or redeployment within the Civil Service.”

DVLA are expected to save £26million from the cuts and believe that the new centralised and digital movement will benefit motorists by providing quicker and easier services.

“We are absolutely committed to delivering the best service we can”, continues Simon Tse. “[the changes] will make it easier for motorists to deal with us in a way that suits them.”

Northern Ireland will also get access to the same range of services the rest of the UK has had for years.

The key changes will include a significant increase in digital options and increased amount of front office services available throughout the country.

A full list of changes are available here.

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Clampers Given the Squeeze after Complaints

July 1, 2012
Posted in DVLA — Written by National Numbers

A Swindon-based clamping firm was told they could not use the DVLA database to access motorists’ personal information following a string of complaints.

A request made under the Freedom of Information Act showed that the company, Premier Parking Services, paid for 2,228 inquiries over the last 12 months.

It was confirmed that the DVLA had put a temporary stop to this after having some concerns over allegedly misleading signs and tickets.

“The DVLA decided not to process requests for vehicle keeper data from Premier Parking Services following reports that their signage and tickets were not compliant with the British Parking Association’s code of practice.” A spokesperson said.

“The company has given evidence to the DVLA that its signage and tickets have been amended to ensure compliance with the code, and this has been verified by the British Parking Association.”

Premier Parking Services may begin making new requests but they will only be processed if deemed appropriate by the DVLA.

A Question of Authority

The firm may be best known for clamping a disabled man who had left his vehicle for four minutes.

Transport manager, Paul McPherson, is also contesting a £150 ticket from March for leaving his engine running for three minutes in a town centre car park.

Premier use words like “offence” and “fine” incorrectly in their signage, creating an impression that they have more power than they legally do. They also claim that they could clamp disabled drivers even if they display the correct blue badge.

Nev Metson, a retired fraud detective from Wales, challenged the company after his daughter landed an £80 penalty charge for overstaying by 15 minutes, despite being stuck in traffic while leaving the car park.

The charge stated that: “it is the legal responsibility of the vehicle’s keeper to nominate who was driving at the time of any alleged offence”, wording that Mr. Metson disagrees with.

“This is a completely false and misleading statement,” said Metson. “There is no alleged offence as private parking is based on civil contractual law only.”

Over 1.2m pieces of information is acquired from the DVLA by clamping firms every year, but this will be made illegal by 2013.

Premier Parking Services are yet to make a statement.

DVLA Threat of ALL Local Offices Closure

December 14, 2011
Posted in DVLA,DVLA News,National Numbers News,Number Plate News,Number Plates — Written by Helen

A new proposal was published today that recommends closure of all of the 39 local DVLA offices in the UK, in a bid to save government money.

The proposals will be subject to consultation today, with closures possibly starting by the end of 2013. Savings are estimated at £28m per year – however more than 1,200 DVLA staff jobs could be lost.

Customers will be directed towards using centralised online services, which Roads Minister Mike Penning believes would “make dealing with the DVLA easier”.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) commented that the plans “make no economic sense”.

A move to a completely online system seems to have been happening for some time, as DVLA have created online ways to access their services, such as vehicle excise (tax) renewal.

However the offices are important to number plate customers. DVLA local offices perform important administrative duties and deal with necessary paperwork in private registration transfers.

The human approach ensures that paperwork is properly checked, and that no errors creep in to paperwork applications. Presumably, this responsibility will now fall to the individual when they complete online applications within the proposed new system.

It remains to be seen how an online service will fulfil he role of DVLA local office staff. As a number plate dealer with 30 years in the business, it does feel like a big change to operations at DVLA, and we hope that things run smoothly in introducing the new system.

National Numbers continue to offer attentive and helpful administrative support concerning number plate transfers in the same way we always have.

Law Change Sought by Traffic Accident Victim’s Mother

November 13, 2011
Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

A change in the law is being sought by the mother of a teenage girl, tragically killed in a road accident.

Jackie McCord is calling for the licences to be withheld from unfit drivers following the death of her 16-year-old daughter, Cassie.

Cassie passed away after she was struck by a car driven by a pensioner, just days after police had warned them not to drive.

Mrs McCord is now seeking a change in the law, to give police the power to immediately withhold the licence of anyone who they deem unfit to be driving on the road.

A petition has even been set up in support of the action, with 3,000 people already signing to show their backing.

If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, a debate will be forced in the house of commons.

Speaking on the subject, Mrs McCord stated: ”If the police had had the power to withhold the driver’s licence after his first crash, my daughter would still be alive.

“He was clearly unfit to be on the road and we should have measures in place so that we don’t have to wait for the worst to happen before revoking a licence.

“Cassie’s death has devastated our family but we are determined that something positive comes out of the tragedy.

“What is particularly heartbreaking about her death is that had the law been different, the police would have been able to prevent this from happening.”

Don’t miss the chance to purchase a personalised registration that really says something about you.

1,500 more unique number plates will go under the hammer at the Dormy House Hotel, Broadway, Worcestershire, during the next DVLA three-day event.

Just call the number plate experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738 and enquire about the specialist auction bidding service on offer.

Dept of Transport Close to Motor Insurance Inquiry Response

July 18, 2011
Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

The Department of Transport’s (DoT’s) road safety minister has announced that a response to last year’s inquiry into motor insurance premiums is imminent.

Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead, Mike Penning, revealed that the DoT’s response had been delayed somewhat, as the inquiry conducted by the transport select committee was a “complex area”.

Although Mr Penning was quick to reject any beliefs that the new inquiry would affect their aims to respond to the first inquiry.

The Transport Select Committee had vowed to re-evaluate the case, as motor insurance premiums were rising with concerns over referral fees.

Speaking about the first inquiry, Mr Penning explained: “We are committed to tackling the rising cost of insurance and are treating this response to the select committee’s useful report as a priority.”

According to Mr Penning, several government bodies were involved in the report and the Department of Transport would “ensure we provide a comprehensive response”.

“We will be responding shortly but in the meantime we are continuing work on addressing this important issue.

“We are working on how insurers could confirm details such as a driver’s motoring offence record with the DVLA to deal with those drivers who fail to fully disclose endorsements when applying for insurance.”

Some of the Transport Select Committee’s recommendations included taking a serious look at fraud, personal injury claims, young drivers and uninsured drivers.

Their report also suggested that insurers, brokers and aggregators work together to combat fraud in a proactive manner.

To find a number plate that speaks volumes about you or your business, contact the personalised registration experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738.

National Numbers have over ten years experience in getting individuals and businesses the number plates they want.

Oxford Residents Seek Ban on Student Cars

March 21, 2011
Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

Residents in East Oxford are seeking a suspension of activity on new student accommodation until student cars are banned.

According to the Divinity Road Area Residents’ Association, the no-cars rule at the students halls can no longer be policed by the university as the DVLA will no longer investigate possible breaches.

The association has stated that emails from Oxford Brookes University and Oxford City Council prove their claims.

With plans to build new student blocks at St Clements car park and Dorset House, Headington, are of concern, with the group hoping to stall developments until new checks are enforced.

However, according to the universities and city planners, the current policy, which targets parking congestion in suburban areas, is still an effective measure.

The current city planning regulations apply to new developments, and state that people living in purpose-built student accommodation cannot have a car.

An email dated October 12, 2009, from Anne Gwinnett, director of corporate affairs at Oxford Brookes to Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, read: “We have now learned that DVLA will no longer provide this information to us (or any other university), unless the vehicle is parked on university land, which means that it will become almost impossible for us to identify student cars parked in local streets.

“Our ability therefore to exert control over students living in our halls of residence with regard to their use of a motor vehicle will be severely diminished.”

Sietske Boeles of the Divinity Road Area Residents’ Association fears that the no-car policy is unenforceable.

“We are calling for a complete moratorium on new planning permissions for student accommodation until sufficient means are found to enforce the policy. The situation has completely broken down.

“The only way forward is a controlled parking zone, possibly across all Oxford, to prevent an overspill of the problem from one area to the next.”

“It is not just inconvenience anymore, it is an issue of highway safety. People park on pavements and people park on corners.

“Emergency vehicles can’t get through.”

Get a great personalised registration that really says something about you, by calling the number plate experts at National Numbers, on 01642 363738.

DVLA Faces Legal Battle Over Licence Revoke

Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is set for a legal tussle in Inverness with a popular local businessman.

Alasdair Dowling, 77, is taking legal action following what he believes to be the unfair withdrawl of his driving licence.

Formally a director at Clachnacuddin Football Club and from the family that owns Cairngorm Windows, Mr Dowling lost his licence when the DVLA deemed him to have “relevant disability” which rendered him unfit to drive safely.

Mr Dowling was contacted by the DVLA in April 2010 with an offer to resit his driving test, following reports from Northern Constabulary that he had failed to stop at a red traffic light.

However, Mr Downling failed the subsequent test after overtaking a cyclist at a traffic island and not signalling at a busy roundabout.

These errors forced the DVLA to declare in their court papers that Mr Dowling has a lack of observational skills and an inability to control the vehicle at all times.

The relevant disability fell under the grounds of ”any prescribed disability or any other disability which is likely to cause the driving of a vehicle by an individual to be a source of danger to the public.”

Unless Mr Dowling can prove that he is a safe driver, he is unlikely to regain his driving licence.

The court papers explain: ”The applicant will be entitled to apply for a new driving licence if he produces either evidence that the visuo-spatial cognitive impairment experienced by him between October 2009 and April 2010 was transitory in nature and has now been resolved or evidence that he does not suffer from an organic brain syndrome.”

A keen competitive Scrabble player, Mr Dowling believes the errors he made are not due to a lack of observational skills or an inability to drive safely.

According to Mr Dowling, the DVLA have failed to acknowledge what the “relevant disability” is, and therefore not legally allowed to revoke his license.

The court hearing will begin on Tuesday.

To get a fantastic personalised number plate, just call the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738, and speak to one of the friendly advisers.

DVLA Credit Card Charges Investigated

February 20, 2011
Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

Following a deluge of public complaints over excess charges for the use of credit cards, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has received a “super-complaint” from consumer watchdog, Which.

Many big names are to go under the spotlight, including the government’s DVLA website, EasyJet, Ryanair, and NCP.

The investigation by the Office of Fair Trading is now mandatory, due to the receipt of a super complaint from Which.

There have already been bans on similar charges in Sweden, Italy, Germany, Portugal and France, with caps on charges in Denmark and Spain.

Four return tickets from Ryanair would induce a £40 charge through the online service.

The price is at no greater fee than the card service’s agreed percentage.

Independent travel agents are usually charged a fixed fee of approximately 10p.

Customers are concerned that the extortionate charges are blatant profiteering.

Many councils are also cashing in on the credit card charges, with some charging up to 5 per cent for each credit card transaction.

Banks are against the approach and feel that they are unfairly criticised, with Visa “completely opposed” to the practice.

Consumers will be following the developments closely while the OFT’s investigation is carried out.

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The experts at National Numbers have years of experience in getting people the number plate they want.

The DVLA hold regular number plate auctions, where thousands of personalised registrations go under the hammer at bargain prices.

The next DVLA national number plate auction takes place at Rudding Park, Harrogate on 22nd, 23rd and 24th March 2011.

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“Serious Flaws” in Automatic Number Plate Recognition System

Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

The police’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system has come under extreme criticism during an inquiry into the monitoring of sex offender, Peter Chapman.

In 2009, 17 year old Ashleigh Hall from Darlington was murdered by Chapman, having met him online.

Two inquiries are being conducted by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), looking into the monitoring of Chapman, with the first investigating the use of ANPR.

When Chapman failed to inform police of his change of address according  vehicle details were added to the Police National Computer in October 2009 by Merseyside Police; the month that Ashleigh was murdered.

ANPR “hits” were recorded by police forces in Durham, North Yorkshire and Cleveland between 23rd and 26th October.

He was arrested by Cleveland Police following these hits, and he confessed to Ashleigh’s murder shortly afterwards.

“This investigation has highlighted serious flaws in the operation of the ANPR system,” revealed IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long.

“It is clear that it can be a very valuable asset, but it is dependent on the system being managed and monitored well and containing accurate information.”

Mr Long added that there needed to be a ”full review” to show the ANPR system can be beneficial.

When asked if better use of ANPR could have prevented Ashleigh’s death, he revealed that it “impossible to say with certainty.”

“But it is clear there were opportunities missed here,” he continued.

“It took 16 hits on the ANPR system before Chapman was finally arrested.

“Tragically in that time he was able to enact his terrible plan to murder Ashleigh.”

To get your hands on a unique number plate for your car, just contact the experts at National Number and let the expert advisers guide you to the ideal personalised registration.

National Numbers have over ten years experience in getting people the number plate they want, so get yours today by calling 01642 363738.