As part of DVLA’s new Driver and vehicles account service, motorists can opt for digital vehicle tax reminders rather than having to wait for a paper reminder to drop through their letterbox.
The new service, which allows motorists to easily access their driver and vehicle information in one place, has been launched as a public beta and DVLA is asking motorists to provide feedback to help develop the service.
The Driver and Vehicles account is easy-to-use, secure, and it only takes around 5 minutes to sign up. Once an account has been set up, motorists can simply sign in using their email and password, and will be able to:
- view their driving licence information, including endorsements and penalty points
- view vehicles that are registered to them including tax and MOT status
- change their contact preferences
- set up vehicle tax reminders by email and for the first time by SMS text
- choose to stop getting vehicle tax reminders by post
To sign up for a Driver and vehicles account, motorists should:
- go to www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account
- provide an email address and validate their details with a one-time passcode
- provide their personal details including name, date of birth, and address
- verify their identity using a UK passport (which can include those expired within the last 12 months)
- provide a GB Driving Licence or a National insurance number (DVLA may also carry out additional identity checks)
- create a password.
The ‘Driver and Vehicles account’ is available to GB driving licence holders only. It does not extend to Northern Ireland as Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) Northern Ireland is responsible for licensing drivers in Northern Ireland and holds those records, not DVLA.
Also, motorists who have chosen to tax their vehicle by Direct Debit do not need to sign up to receive a digital V11 reminder because their Direct Debit will renew automatically (providing their vehicle has a valid MOT).
The DVLA plans to add other services to the account, including the ability to apply for a first provisional licence and access to the ten-year licence renewal process, where customers will be able to upload a photo and track their progress.