There will be big changes made by DVLA as we come to the end of our Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract in 2025 and with this there are opportunities to learn and grow. This exciting programme of change means we’ve been recruiting people to help us, with more new roles emerging over the life of the programme. These roles are critical in helping us shape the way we’ll manage our site and services as we exit the current PFI contract.

Back in 2005, DVLA awarded the integrated PFI contract to Telereal Trillium. Their goal was to refurbish our main site, provide a full range of facility management (FM) services and conduct some additional building work around our estates.

We’re now in the final 4 years of the contract, so we’re looking at our next steps.

How our services are currently managed

There are many different facilities, vital to DVLA’s everyday operations, which are split into soft and hard services. Soft services are cleaning, bus services and catering with hard services covering building maintenance and the provision of furniture.

Why our services are changing

In the 2018 autumn budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that government would no longer use the current model of PFI for new government projects. DVLA will be one of the first to exit a PFI contract following closely behind DWP and HMRC, the first two central government bodies to go through the expiry process. We’ll be working with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, the government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects, to take forward any lessons learned from the exit of the PFI contracts.

Our facilities management team has started to look at ending some of our soft services contracts early, by March 2023. This includes cleaning, waste management, pest control, catering and transport services. One of the first changes has been the removal of the lease of our staff minibuses which happened in March 2021.

Next steps

My team’s role will be to ensure a seamless transition from old to new service providers. We’ll make sure the services are tendered and procured correctly and continue the safe, secure running of the agency.

When the PFI contract expires, we can manage our services differently. We’ll look for improvements in value for money and quality through a more distributed approach. It allows us to look at smaller contracts, enabling us to work with a varied range of smaller businesses, specialist suppliers and service providers.

We are currently working with some expert consultants to review our current practices and consider in detail all the potential options. We’re exploring all possibilities available from a fully in-house service provision managed by DVLA, to a total facility managed service through a new supplier contract.

Roles and recruitment

The programme will involve multiple projects to manage the exit and expiry of current service provisions. This will include the development of a new operating model and finding suitable new service providers.

If you have a background in facilities management, we’re currently looking for senior FM governance and project managers and would love to hear from you. You can register for vacancy alerts through Civil Service Jobs.

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It’s been two years since we launched recruitment for our first Business Analysis Development Programme. When we originally came up with the concept and design of the programme it was a voyage into the unknown. We’d never done anything like this before so it was exciting to see what we could achieve.

The two-year programme has been specifically designed to provide a fantastic foundation to individuals to start a career in IT. It gives them the opportunity to develop skills, gain real-world experience and the qualifications needed to be fully ‘job ready’ to apply for an entry-level Business Analyst (BA) position on completion, with industry recognised qualifications.

The formal learning is supported by practical experience, with mentors and support networks to help students and guide them. It gives students the opportunity to gain experience working on delivering some of the most important digital services within government, allowing them to put into practice their learning in a real-world environment.

The programme so far

We’ve been lucky that our first group has fully immersed themselves in the role and DVLA. They’re almost at the end of their journey now, with one module of the programme left to complete.

During their time on the programme they’ve already achieved the British Computer Society (BCS) International Diploma in Business Analysis and APMG Foundation and Practitioner in Business Analysis. They’ve also picked up other skills on their way, including hands on experience of programming and building their own websites, as well as day to day work with our business units and the development squads.

Nikki Hayes, student, had this to say about the current programme:

“This role comes with plenty of opportunities to develop your skillset in a safe learning environment with lots of support along the way. I’ve not only achieved a diploma but with on the job learning I’ve now developed a wide range of skills. Starting out I would shadow existing BAs, now I’m taking on my own pieces of work.

“I work closely with stakeholders and development teams on a daily basis and work on continuous improvement and legislative changes for various services in DVLA.”

As the first group nears graduation, the programme is open again for new recruits and we’re excited to see who is on the next group.

What’s new to the next programme?

Firstly, we are looking at how the programme will run remotely. The last year has shown that this is possible and our range of collaboration tools support remote working too. We will also be recording sessions so that students can go back and re-watch them.

Secondly, we’re taking on board the feedback from our first group for all the learning and improvements, so that we can implement it to make the programme even better the second time around. This includes finding solutions to the challenges remote working brings with catering to learning styles.

But best of all, we’ve got even more digital services that we want to build for the motoring public, so there will be plenty of opportunities to get our next group involved in making these happen.

What does the programme offer?

You’re given the opportunity to study for a recognised qualification – the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis. You will also be given a personal mentor to help you through your time.

But perhaps more importantly, the programme gives you the chance to gain experience working on some of the most important digital services within government, putting into practice your learning in a real-world environment right here in DVLA.

The offer and how to apply

The scheme is now open for applications, until 7 June 2021 and again it offers a fantastic opportunity to learn digital skills while you earn.

The programme is open to anyone with an interest in developing their skills, with no specific academic entry requirements.

We have 6 positions available on our programme. They run for 24 months with a salary of £26,126, giving you the opportunity to earn while you learn. It offers a real alternative to some of the more traditional routes, such as university.

Jodie Lewis, one of our current business analysts, said:

“The advice that I would give to someone applying for the Business Analysis Development Programme would be that if you are committed to developing yourself, not afraid to ask questions and have an inquisitive mind, then go for it, definitely apply.”

To find out more about the roles, entry requirements and application process, please visit our current vacancies page.

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Since we launched our online Tell DVLA you’ve sold, transferred or bought a vehicle service back in 2015 more than 40 million transactions have been processed.

Making it easy for users

We wanted to make telling us you’ve sold, transferred or bought a vehicle as quick and easy as possible. Using your feedback we’ve made the service simple, putting the needs of customers, both public and trade first. Telling us you’ve changed a vehicle is now quicker and easier than ever.

By using the online service, the DVLA database is updated immediately, and you get instant confirmation by email without having to send any documents in the post.

You’ll automatically receive a refund for any full remaining months of vehicle tax, this will be sent to the address on your V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book). Your online notification will cancel any Direct Debit you’ve set up for your vehicle tax – it’s as easy as that.

One tip to make sure the process does run this smoothly is to make sure the address on your V5C registration certificate is the correct one.

If you’ve moved, you can tell DVLA straight away by using this service: https://www.gov.uk/change-address-v5c

Over the past 12 months, over 70% of vehicle keepers told us online that they’ve sold, bought, or transferred a vehicle.

The service is available 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week.

Our easy step by step guide to tell us you’ve sold or transferred a vehicle privately

All you need is the 11-digit document reference number from your vehicle V5C (log book).

1. Go to gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle.
2. Tell us you’ve sold it privately to a person or business.
3. Remember to give the full name (not initials) and address of the new keeper.
4. Give the new keeper the green ‘new keeper’ slip (V5C/2) so they can tax the vehicle.

If you sell your vehicle to a motor trader or garage or need to tell us the vehicle is scrapped or written off

With your consent, the trader can tell DVLA that you’ve sold the vehicle to them online – just give them the V5C and ask them to use the online service to tell us straight away.

If you prefer, you can tell DVLA online that you’ve sold or transferred a vehicle yourself by using the 11-digit document reference number on the yellow slip (V5C/3).

You can also use this service to tell us about the scrapping of a vehicle and any insurance write-offs.

Protect yourself from fraud

Please keep your V5C (log book) safe. The V5C’s 11-digit document reference number is the key to using our services online and, like a credit card number, shouldn’t be shared, copied, or photographed.

What our service users have said

Be part of our research – join our online panel to help improve our services

We value customer feedback through our research and are looking for volunteers to test our services. To volunteer, join our online research panel.

In the meantime…

Check out our wide range of online services – they’re all quick and simple. I’ve highlighted just a few below:

Follow DVLA on Twitter, follow us on Facebook and connect with us on LinkedIn. You can also subscribe to the DVLA digital services blog.

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6 years ago I was appointed as DVLA’s Corporate Services Manager. My role is to build relationships with our corporate stakeholders, support their needs and identify opportunities for service improvements.

Working with the industry

The needs of our corporate customers are quite different and often more complex than those of ordinary motorists. They interact with our services on a much more frequent basis and often handle large volumes of transactions.

We’ve now built relationships with representatives from over 150 different trade associations, motoring organisations and charities.

I’m also the chair of several user groups with large numbers of representatives from different industry sectors, for example, vehicle manufacturers, fleets and the used vehicle industry.

Having regular and flexible discussions gives us an important means of understanding the industry view. We work closely with them to understand the needs of their members, while making sure that we manage their expectations and they understand the challenges we face. It also helps us identify and evidence the potential business benefits that system changes would deliver to industry and to look at opportunities for removing burden and promoting growth.

It’s working well and we regularly get positive feedback from our stakeholders on the value of these user groups.

Our charities forum

Our charity forum gives us a platform to work with over 20 different charities, we meet every six months to give updates on our Driver Medical Services. These charities represent customers affected by medical conditions that could impact on their ability to drive, although most people who report a medical condition, get to keep their driving licence.

Last year we worked closely with several key medical charities on developing information packs to help support their members. The aim was to encourage drivers to be confident in telling us about a medical condition. The information packs also set out typical licensing journeys for customers with specific medical conditions. The charities have shared this information with their members helping to guide them through the process when notifying DVLA of a medical condition and managing their expectations.

We held our first virtual meeting last November and our second in March. Both meetings went very well. The meetings also attracted more participants because they were able to join without the need to travel, saving time and money.

Working together

The pandemic has been difficult for everyone. We’ve had to introduce new ways of working and communicating – using virtual meetings and video conferencing instead of physical meetings.

Our approach has always been to work collaboratively with our corporate customers. Over the years we’ve developed strong relationships with representatives from these various groups – based on trust and mutual respect. We’ve had great support from them during the pandemic in encouraging their members to use DVLA’s digital services instead of relying on paper transactions, which were taking longer to process.

Throughout the last year we’ve worked closely with the industry to help keep the country moving. From prioritising the registration of vehicles used by key workers to utilising the ‘web chat’ support facility to help the car hire and rental industry and their customers use the ‘check and share driving licence’ service.

Things have changed as a result of the pandemic and I do not think it will ever be the same again. Virtual meetings have ensured that we’ve been able to continue to work closely with our stakeholders and now that we’re familiar with working this way, we’ll continue to do so. But we will still recognise the importance of face-to-face interaction, especially when it comes to building relationships and resolving complex challenges.

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Many common medical conditions can affect your ability to drive and could put you and other road users at risk. Around 49 million people hold a GB driving licence with around 757,000 drivers telling us about their medical condition last year. But how do medical professionals know which conditions will affect our driving?

To help clinicians assess their patients’ fitness to drive, we provide an ‘Assessing fitness to drive: guide for medical professionals’ (AFTD) and update it every 6 months.

My role and AFTD

I joined DVLA in March 2015, bringing around 38 years’ experience – first as a doctor, then a surgeon, and finally as an A&E consultant. This background has been essential in this job, reminding me that there’s an individual behind each case.

I work with DVLA management colleagues as well as being the professional lead for DVLA doctors and act as the conduit between DVLA doctors and the General Medical Council (GMC).

Part of my role is to lead on updating AFTD.

AFTD helps clinicians decide if a patient’s ability to drive might be impaired by a medical condition, treatment, or even certain medications. They use AFTD to advise their patients if they need to tell DVLA about their medical condition and if they can meet the medical standard to drive.

It also helps clinicians provide advice on driving while DVLA makes medical enquiries about the patient.

Dr Nick Jenkins, DVLA’s Senior Doctor.

Medical panels

Twice a year, we host Secretary of State medical panel meetings about each type of condition that could affect driving and these panels corresponds with a chapter in AFTD .

The medical panel comprises of independent nationally and internationally renowned medical experts in each field: me as Senior Doctor (or my deputy), staff from our medical areas, and lay members who offer the perspective of those using our services. We talk about any changes in medicine related to the topic, any issues that have arisen in that field, and any complex medical cases.

Last year this worked slightly differently. When the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the first lockdown in 2020, we immediately turned our focus on contingency planning for the autumn round of panels and how we would host them through conferencing software.

The autumn panels played out seamlessly and we’ve had some great feedback from those involved. It’s really given us opportunities to work smarter.

After the panel meetings

Once we’ve agreed what changes need to be made we make arrangements to update AFTD. Some updates are more complex than others, so we work closely with the relevant medical charities to make sure the changes cover everything needed.

The guidance is updated and published on GOV.UK. As soon as the guidance goes live, we tell DVLA colleagues, the GMC and our email subscribers. We’ll also have updated the corresponding medical pages within ‘Check if a health condition affects your driving’ (an A-Z guide of medical conditions).

By law you must tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. The A-Z guide helps you meet your legal responsibility, as it tells you which conditions you need to tell us about (and the ones you do not).

What happens after you’ve told us about your medical condition

We may need to make further investigations, get reports from your consultant, or contact your doctor. This can sometimes take a bit of time, especially if doctors are busy, but while your application is with us you may still be able to drive under Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act. You should speak with your doctor about the Section 88 criteria and decide whether you should drive while you are waiting for a licence to be issued.

Most people who report a medical condition, which can be done online, get to keep their driving licence. We may issue a short-term licence (1 to 5 years) if you’ve got a medical condition considered to be progressive.

This is because we’ll need to assess the ongoing stability of the condition or consider the risk of recurrence of an episode being below a certain threshold. Examples of this kind of condition are dementia, epilepsy, and diabetes.

If you’re a driver and have had, or currently suffer from, a medical condition or disability that affects your driving, you must tell DVLA.

If you’re a medical professional you can keep up to date with any future changes to the guidance, including changes to medical standards, by signing up for our email alert service. Simply go to the option named ‘DVLA Stakeholders’ and select ‘Medical Professionals’.

Follow DVLA on Twitter, follow us on Facebook and connect with us on LinkedIn. You can subscribe to the DVLA digital services blog.

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