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National Numbers Articles

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.

To find a great personalised registration, there’s no better place than National Numbers.

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.

Don’t miss out! Call National Numbers on 01642 363738 and let them help you to find the perfect plate!

“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.

Missing DVLA Worker Appeal

January 24, 2011
Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

Police in South Wales are making a plea to the public in an attempt to gather information about missing DVLA worker James Spillane.

Mr Spillane, 26, of Morrison, was last seen at work in Swansea on Tuesday 18 January.

It’s thought that Mr Spillane was in the area until Thursday 20 January, when he could have taken a train out of Swansea.

Police have revealed that his disappearance is ”completely out of character” with friends and family “desperate to have him home safe and well”.

He is 6ft, tall, fit and slim looking, with short, brown hair, and piercings in both ears.

His clothing at the time of the disappearance is unclear, but he generally wears jeans.

He left home without his mobile phone or car keys, and inspector Chris O’Brien explained: ”We are becoming increasingly concerned for James who has been missing since Tuesday and would appeal for anyone with information to contact us.”

Through searched and checks have been made by police throughout the local area and CCTV is continuing to be searched.

“I would urge anyone with information on James, no matter how insignificant it seems, to contact us,” inspector O’Brien continued.

“If you have seen James since Tuesday please ring us, we are especially eager find out if he caught a train.”

If you have any information relating to the disappearance of Mr Spillane, contact Morriston police station on 01792 456999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The DVLA regularly hold number plate auctions where thousands of excellent personalised registrations go under the hammer for bargain prices.

The next DVLA number plate auction takes place at the Imperial War Museum, Manchester, on 2nd, 3rd and 4th February.

Contact the number plate experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738 to find out more.

New Head Cameras Fitted to Traffic Wardens

November 8, 2010
Posted in DVLA, Number Plate News — Written by matthew.smith

UK motorists, beware! Traffic wardens are now to be fitted with head cameras worth £500 in their battle against illegal parking.

Also equipped with a hand-held device which recognises registration details, connects to the DVLA database, and prints out tickets automatically.

Some are already referring to the super-equipped traffic patrol employees as ‘Robowardens.’

Officials have declared that the new equipment will benefit motorists, by providing a clearer representation of events during the issuance of a penalty ticket.

However, not everybody is happy with the changes, with many criticising the ‘intrusive and unfair’ surveillance methods.

Critics are concerned that the millions of pounds made from fining illegal parking are being used to fund further sophisticated methods to extract money from UK drivers.

Having already purchased 30 head cameras, Bromley Council in London is at the forefront of the scheme.

The council’s annual report explains the decision to implement the new techniques: ”Head-cams complement more traditional methods of recording details, such as pocket book notes and photographs.

“The footage has improved communication with motorists and the general public.

“The footage provides us with more details of a parking contravention and we are therefore better prepared to assure fairness, transparency and accountability in the appeal process and in dealing with complaints.”

The new ammunition in the war against illegal parking adds to the 54 patrol cars equipped with cameras which automatically detect illegally parked cars, raising approximately £8 million in fines each year.

An official from Bromley Council explained: ”We use head-cams to gather additional evidence which might not be recorded in the parking attendant’s notes.

“This has allowed us to cancel penalty charge notices issued in error and handle queries better.

“The hand-held computers can read car number plates and this can help reduce the numbers of incorrectly issued parking fines.”

Get a great number plate to suit you and your car.

Just call the experts at National Numbers who can help you every step of the way, on 01642 363738.

Thousands of DVLA Jobs at Risk

October 23, 2010
Posted in DVLA — Written by matthew.smith

Cuts being made in the public sector are set to put thousands of jobs under threat at the DVLA.

Swansea is a city that heavily relies on the employment generated by the public sector.

Not only the DVLA, but the Department for Work and Pensions, Revenue and Customs, universities, schools, colleges and hospitals are collectively responsible for 40,000 jobs.

The DVLA head offices are based in the city and employs 4,500.

Roger Langley at the Public and Commercial Services union is deeply concerned about the outlook.

“There’s a real fear, everyone knows someone who works in the public sector and when the cuts come they’re going to be deep,” he said.

“Behind us is Morriston and the DVLA, that employs 4,500. We’ve got Swansea University, Singleton Hospital, County Hall, over to the Enterprise Park we’ve got the Land Registry that employs more than 450 staff. The DWP has got more than 600 staff, and, with the local authority, it’s a big area of public sector workers.”

Cathy Crosby, an occupational therapist believes that people are very concerned about the prospect of losing their jobs.

“People are extremely worried, it’s very uncertain,” she revealed.

“People aren’t being replaced when they’re going on maternity leave or leaving because they’re stressed.”

The DVLA have booked their Christmas Party at the Ice House bar, and owner Chris Elliot believes they will still be attending.

“To be honest we’re going to carry on doing what we’re doing,” he said.

“We are mindful of the fact that these things are going to happen but the way we’re running at the moment, we’ve just got to think smart and work hard.

“I think people need a break from the worry of what’s going on, we’ve got comedy nights and bands booked.”

Staff at the DVLA may have to wait months to find out if their jobs are safe, when the Welsh budget is set out by the government.

National Numbers have over 10 years experience in getting people the perfect number plate.

To get a personalised registration at a price you will be delighted with, just call the experts at National Numbers, on 01642 363738.