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National Numbers Articles

People Support DVLA’s Organ Donation Plan

August 8, 2011
Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

People who have had their lives saved thanks to organ donation have come out in support of the DVLA’s new method for increasing donor numbers.

Those who are applying for a driving licence through the DVLA’s online procedure will encounter a section which questions whether they want to become an organ donor or defer the decision until a later date.

There are hopes that the new DVLA scheme will greatly increase the number of donors of vital body parts.

One person who will benefit from organ donation is Elizabeth Clissold, aged 24, from Hebburn.

Having waited for three years for her life-saving kidney transplant, she will undergo the operation next month thanks to her partner Terry Clark’s donation.

Ms Clissold explained: “At the moment I don’t actually hold a driving licence, but as soon as I apply for one I will be signing up, no problem.

“Some people are oblivious to organ donation.

“At the end of the day, you don’t know about it until it has happened to you.

“It is a good idea, with regards to making people more aware.”

The news extremely encouraging to public health minister Anne Milton.

“Being an organ donor is a truly selfless act and a lifesaving gift to someone in need,” she said.

“Only 29 per cent of people in the UK have registered to donate organs, when we know 90 per cent of people in the UK have expressed interest in donating.

“We want to make it easier for people to sign up to the Organ Donor Register when they apply for their driving licence and encourage everyone to discuss their organ donation wishes with their loved ones.”

There are thousands of personalised registrations to choose from and it couldn’t be easier to find the perfect plate for your car.

So don’t delay, find your perfect number plate today by calling the experts at National Numbers, on 01642 363738.

Number Plate Technology Aids Crackdown on Metal Thieves

August 5, 2011
Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

Police in Torfaen, Wales, have turned their attention to metal thieves, after a major crackdown resulted in three arrests and three waste carrying vans being seized.

During the operation, mobile police patrols saw any suspicious or unlawful vehicles stopped and taken to a static check site for further investigation.

Torfaen police were boosted by the support from Gwent Police’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Unit.

The ANPR cameras allowed police to scan number plates of all passing vehicles and instantly check them against a police database, providing a rapid criminal background check on the thousands of cars that passed.

In addition, police have worked closely with local scrap metal dealers to prevent any outlet for the thieves’ stolen goods.

Of the three arrests that were made, one had been driving without a licence, whilst the other two had taken vehicles without the consent of their owners.

A man was also cautioned for the possession of a small amount of cannabis.

Three scrap metal carrying vans were also seized for being driven without insurance.

One driver was reported to the Environment Agency for operating without a waste carrier licence, with five other motorists hit with a £60 fine and three licence points for various other offences.

“Reducing the number of metal thefts in Torfaen is a priority for us at the moment,” explained PC Andrew Boucher, coordinator of the operation.

“This operation shows that we are taking strong action to apprehend offenders and stop this type of crime.”

Field Investigator for BT’s local network business Openreach, Richie Evans, revealed: “Cable theft is increasing in Wales and this causes huge inconvenience for our customers, many of whom regard their telephone as a lifeline.

“That’s why we are delighted to be part of this excellent police initiative.”

Get a fantastic, unique, personalised registration, that really says something about your car by contacting the number plate experts at National Numbers, on 01642 363738.

DVLA Parking Trouble in Swansea

July 7, 2011
Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

Vehicle parking problems are at an all-time high around DVLA’s Clase site and may be about to get a lot worse.

From 4 July, a new rule came into force, denying contractors the right to park on site and forcing them to park at the Felindre Park and Ride and take the bus to the DVLA’s site.

Some local residents already fear that instead of using the Park and Ride service, nearby streets will be used for parking in.

Sian James, MP for Swansea East has put pen to paper and expressed her concerns in a letter to the DVLA’s chief executive Simon Tse.

In her letter, Mrs James explained: ”I understand the kind of pressures facing managers.

“The DVLA is a valued local employer and economic base for the city.

“But it also needs to be a good neighbour to the surrounding community.”

“I very much hope that the safeguards explained to me are implemented and I will be monitoring events closely.”

Anger has already been expressed by one local resident last year, when over 20 DVLA employees parked in Tenth Avenue had their car tyres slashed.

Concern appears to be growing, with Mynyddbach Councillor Byron Owen stating: ”I understand the kind of pressures facing managers.

“The DVLA is a valued local employer and economic base for the city.

“But it also needs to be a good neighbour to the surrounding community.”

“I very much hope that the safeguards explained to me are implemented and I will be monitoring events closely.”

In response to the growing discontentment, a DVLA spokesperson announced: ”From 4 July, all DVLA contractors must use the park and ride facility at Felindre.

“Those contractors who car share will still be allowed to park onsite.

“The Felindre facility is well established and is already used by a large number of contractors, as is our car sharing scheme.

“We don’t envisage any impact on local residents as a result of these changes, but we will continue to work with the local authorities and the police to make sure we do all we can to alleviate any parking problems caused by DVLA staff or our contractors.”

You can get a great personalised registration for a low price from the number plate experts at National Numbers by calling 01642 363738.

Lancashire Driver Remains on Road After 30 Points

Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

An East Lancashire motorist who amassed 30 points on his driving licence but evaded disqualification from driving.

Although a shocking statistic, the driver is just one of 165 people from East Lancashire with 12 or more points on their licence, but still allowed to drive on the road.

Unless the motorist can prove that disqualification would cause exceptional hardship, 12 points is the level at which an automatic ban is issued.

The motorist, from Blackburn, is also one of 61 people with 12 points or more and still permitted to drive.

A fellow motorist in nearby Nelson has also collected 22 points with two other drivers from Clitheroe and Rossendale, each on 21 points.

One road safety charity has already described the statistics as “appalling,” demanding that more bans should be enforced.

Jack Straw, MP for Blackburn, found it difficult to understand how somebody with 30 penalty points could retain their licence.

Speaking on behalf of road safety charity Brake, Caroline Perry said: “It’s appalling that so many people are being allowed to drive with more than 12 points on their licence.

“By breaking the law these drivers have shown a wilful disregard for the safety of other road users.

“All drivers have a responsibility to keep others on the roads safe and these people have shown that on numerous occasions they refuse to take this responsibility seriously.

“Allowing them to continue driving is sending out a message to other drivers that it is acceptable to continually break the law.

“We would urge the Government to help stamp this out and provide justice for those families whose lives have been devastated by dangerous drivers.”

In an attempt to clear up the confusion, Chris Hunt-Cooke, chairman of the road traffic committee for The Magistrates’ Association said:“Drivers who collect 12 or more points on their licence within three years will be told to attend court because they are liable to be disqualified for a minimum period of six months.

“They may possibly escape this if they can convince the court that disqualification would cause exceptional hardship, either to themselves or other people.

“All disqualification is liable to cause some inconvenience, so the hardship has to be exceptional if it is to influence the court.

“Courts are liable to take more account of hardship to other people, because they are suffering through the fault of someone else.

“For example if someone has a very small business, employing just a few people, and is the only person who can go out and get sales, his employees may lose their jobs if he cannot drive.

“The court might consider that to be exceptional hardship, but would look at what other alternatives might be available before deciding.

“Can he take taxis or can someone else drive him around for example.”

To get a personalised registration that really says something about you, contact the number plate experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738 and let the friendly advisers help you every step of the way.

Pub Landlady’s Car Towed From Private Land

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

The landlady of a pub in Sandridge awoke one morning to find her car had been towed from what she believed to be private land.

The car had been spotted by mobile cameras, resulting in the DVLA taking Emma Low’s car from land located near to her Rose and Crown pub and towing it to a north London holding area.

Both Miss Low and her partner Anthony Foreman are allegedly furious that the car had been taken from their private drive less than a week after they had purchased it.

“They came along and took my car from my land,” explained Miss Low.

“It wasn’t in the car park, it was on my private drive and although there’s no gate on it, because the gate was stolen, it’s certainly not for public use and my customers can’t park there.”

Purchased for just £75, Miss Low will have to find £360 if she wants to recover her car from the pound; something that she refuses to do.

Untaxed and without an MOT, plus in need of repair work, Emma has stated that she reported the car as off-road (SORN) the day after purchasing it and had arranged to get it insured.

Due to it being a bank holiday and working extra hours, Miss Low intended to tax the car on the Wednesday, four days after purchasing it.

“They are saying that the car was clamped on Sunday but I never saw any clamp on it,” Miss Low revealed.

“I’m really unhappy about the fact that they can just come onto my land and take my car.

“I am supposed to be moving to another pub in a few weeks, but I’m not sure how I’ll do it without a vehicle.”

But a spokesperson for NSL, the company that clamped the vehicle, defended their actions.

“We’re confident we acted properly here. The vehicle was not SORNed – it was SORNed more than 12 hours after we clamped it – despite the fact that it is very easy to SORN a vehicle online,” he explained.

“The land does not appear to be a private drive but we believe it is land to which the public has access, so it is not appropriate in any case to keep a SORNed vehicle in such a location.”

“As soon as a car has been bought it is the new owner’s responsibility and it must be taxed, or, if it is not to be driven on public roads, immediately SORNed and stored in an appropriate location.

“This is a straightforward process but was not done here.”

To get a personalised registration that you can be proud of, just call the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738.

Freedom of Information Helps Residents Group Battling DVLA

June 6, 2011
Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

It’s been six years since the Freedom of Information (FOI) act was introduced, and individuals are using it to full effect.

In Oxford, a residents’ association is taking full advantage of the freedom of information act in a campaign of their own.

The Divinity Road Residents’ Association have been using FOIs to campaign over student parking in the area.

The residents group discovered that the universities couldn’t rely on the DVLA to enforce the council’s ‘no cars’ policy at the halls of residence.

In addition to this, emails obtained through FOI requests have found Oxford Brookes University and the city council confessing that the policy is almost impossible to enforce.

A major development in the Bartlemas conservation area has since been turned down by a planning inspector and the findings could have lasting implications for any future student developments in the city.

Warneford Meadow was saved from development by the residents’ association, with Sietske Boeles at the heart of the campaign.

“The key piece of information was from the DVLA,” explained Ms Boeles, speaking on the student parking ban.

“It was correspondence between the DVLA and the city council about the enforcement of student parking.”

Ms Boeles advises anyone who plans to submit an FOI to be as specific as possible.

“I knew from other correspondence, the MP Andrew Smith had been asked to make representations on car parking,” she explained.

“That had come from an off-hand comment, but I could specifically ask for the correspondence on this issue in a particular period.

“You have to be specific or you get sent up the garden path.

“It is a critical tool for citizens to keep track of, and scrutinise, decisions and to see whether public money is being spent properly.”

To find a personalised registration that really says something about you, just call the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738.

National Numbers have spent over ten years finding people their perfect number plate, so don’t hesitate; find yours today!

Motorists Reminded to Insure their Vehicles

May 30, 2011
Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

A new law will soon be in place, enforcing all motorists to insure their vehicles.

People are being encouraged through nationwide advertising campaigns to make sure their vehicles are insured when the law comes into effect on 20 June.

Approximately 1.4 million motorists are without insurance and could find themselves facing a fine, whether they’ve driven or not.

Uninsured drivers aren’t prosecuted unless they have been driving under the current system.

The changes are expected to greatly alleviate the drain on police time.

While police operate automatic number plate recognition technology, uninsured driver numbers will be drastically cut.

Those who choose not to insure their vehicles will be sent a letter, and if no action is taken to acquire insurance, fined £100 with the threat of court action.

If the motorist still fails to obtain insurance, regardless of whether the fine was paid, an additional fine of £1,000 may be issued.

However, those who declared their vehicle as off the road will not be fined.

Mike Penning, Road Safety minister, explained why it is important to clamp down on uninsured drivers: ”Uninsured drivers are a danger on our roads, killing 160 and injuring a further 23,000 people each year, and they cost honest motorists £500m in extra premiums.

“That is why we are introducing this tough new law which will leave uninsured drivers with nowhere to hide.

“Our message is clear - get insured or face a fine, court action or seeing your car seized and destroyed.”

Chief executive at the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, Ashton West, believes the ”stepping up of enforcement activity” is a step in the right direction.

He added: “Now the registered keeper must make sure that their vehicle is insured all the time,” he revealed.

“Around four percent of vehicles have no motor insurance at any given time, and this needs to change so that is why this new enforcement approach is so important.”

To find a great personalised registration at a price that suits your budget, contact the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738.

Motorist With 39 Penalty Points Still Driving

May 17, 2011
Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

A motorist in Swindon is still legally allowed on the road, despite amassing a staggering 39 penalty points, the most in Great Britain.

Throughout Dorset, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, 638 drivers were found to have 12 or more points and allowed to remain on the roads.

The data emerges from a Freedom of Information request made by BBC West and doesn’t give the Swindon driver’s name or offences.

The decision to disqualify a driver is made in the courts once 12 points are reached.

Elliot Griffiths of the Magistrates’s Association believes that some things need reassessing.

“I accept that something appears to be wrong with [the Swindon case's figures] and they need to be looked at,” he explained.

“I can’t even conceive how somebody can have 20, 30, 40 points and not be disqualified.

“I can’t work it out. I’d be very interested to see how it happened.”

Cath Harley, speaking on behalf of road safety charity Brake, found the figure to be “shocking”.

“It’s completely unacceptable that people are clocking up to 39 points on their licence,” she revealed.

“Again this is a risk to other road users and it’s absolutely vital that people who exceed 12 points on their licence do in fact receive a driving ban.”

If a ban would result in exceptional hardship, the courts may exercise discretion and choose not to disqualify the driver.

According to the DVLA, a “small percentage of cases where the driver has accumulated 12 or more penalty points,” may result in the driver keeping their licence.

There are thousands of personalised registrations to choose from at the DVLA’s number plate auctions.

The next DVLA auction takes place at the Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire on 26th, 27th and 28th May 2011 and National Numbers can help you every step of the way.

To get a great number plate for a price you can afford, contact the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738.

DVLA Reveals Over 500 Drive With 12 Penalty Points In Wales

Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

It has been revealed that 579 motorists in Wales are legally allowed to continue on the roads, despite amassing 12 or more penalty points.

Surprisingly, three people continue to use the roads legally with at least 24 points on their record.

Under normal circumstances, twelve points results in a temporary driving ban unless exception hardship will result.

Following a Freedom of Information request from BBC Wales to the DVLA, 579 drivers in Wales had 12 penalty points or more on 2nd April, 2011.

According to the DVLA, the decision to disqualify a driver is left to the courts.

Head of road safety at the AA, Andrew Howard, can see both sides of the argument.

“You can’t see why these people are repeatedly doing it - you should be able to see it coming,” he explained.

“The idea is that people get warned for this along the way and see their points totting up. The idea is to clamp down on repeat offenders.

“If you’re a repeat offender and you drive for a living, that’s not an excuse.

“Whether speed cameras have made some magistrates more sympathetic to the repeat offenders has to be the key question.”

The number of disqualifications in Wales has been dropping over recent years.

In 2010 disqualifications fell below 8,000 from over 10,000 in 2009 and over 11,00 in 2008.

The DVLA feel that the blame shouldn’t be placed on their shoulders.

“The courts are able to use their discretion to decide whether to disqualify a driver,” explained a DVLA spokesperson.

“The DVLA’s role is to record the information provided by the courts.

“We have recently concluded a comprehensive review into how we communicate with the courts, and will implement any necessary changes to make sure that there are rigorous processes in place so that only those who are entitled to drive are allowed to hold a licence.”

The DVLA has announced that the 61 series of registrations are available to buy from Monday 6 June.

To take advantage of the new releases and find your perfect registration, contact the number plate experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738.

DVLA Teams Up With Home Move Box

Posted in DVLA News — Written by matthew.smith

The DVLA has joined forces with Home Move Box to help motorists during the difficult period of moving home.

The Home Move Box service helps home movers to settle into their new property, providing a free box of essential items and information to make the move easier.

Within the Home Move Box, the DVLA has included information to advise people that their driving licence and vehicle registration certificate must be updated.

“This is a really good example of how DVLA works in partnership with the private sector to get important messages out to the right people at the right time,” explained David Evans, Director of Corporate Affairs at the DVLA.

“Moving house is a very busy and exciting time with lots to plan and do, but it’s important not to forget to let us know that you have moved.

“By working together with Home Move Box, we hope new home movers will find the information leaflets a useful and timely reminder to update their address details with us – just click on www. direct.gov.uk/changeofaddress

“We are grateful to Home Move Box for allowing us to include our leaflets in their welcome packs.”

Charles Wasdell, Director at Home Move Box, fully supports the cooperation from the DVLA: “At Home Move Box we aim to make life a bit easier for home movers by providing them with all the essential tools they need on the day they move in.

“There are so many things to organise when you move home, it’s easy to forget to do those seemingly little, but very vital things, such as updating your driving licence.

“With over 20,000 Home Move Boxes being delivered to new households every month, we hope the DVLA’s leaflet will prompt more home movers to update their licence as soon as they have moved.”

If you’re looking for a unique number plate, contact National Numbers on 01642 363738 and let the expert advisers guide you to the perfect personalised registration.