DVLA revamping rules on data access
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The Department of Transport is set to update its aging 40-year-old rules covering release of data from the Driver and
Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
The rules protect the register of over 30 million vehicles on the UK's roads (and details of their owners), and were
originally drawn up quite some time before the intrduction of electronic databases. A public consultation has been
launched to seek views on who exactly should have access to the data and why, how it should be managed and what auditing
measures are in place.
The changes will come after last years revelation that almost one third of the DVLA's records contained inaccuracies.
Presently the police, local authorities and customs are granted access to the information on file, but access can also
be given to "any person who can show to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State that he has reasonable cause
for wanting the particulars".
This can include private individuals, insurance firms, clamping companies, housing associations, banks or even private
investigators.
Roads minister Stephen Ladyman said, "We think it's very important to protect privacy and confidentiality, and I
understand why many people have serious concerns about the kinds of organisations that receive information from the
vehicle register. We want a system that protects people from misuse of their personal details, but that enables
organisations and individuals with a good reason to identify the keeper of a vehicle to do so."
Tue, 21 Feb 2006
