Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency Annual Report & Accounts 2018-19

The DVLA should continue to take a proactive approach in respect of its efforts to restore VED compliance to 99% or higher, both in terms of timely assessment of the impact of actions already taken, and to analysing the detailed results of the 2019 Roadside Survey to determine if fresh measures are required.

Enforcement activity is both an effective deterrent against non-compliance, and an effective method of recovering monies owed. Noting the DVLA’s success in maintaining high levels of enforcement activity this year, including through its partnership working, the DVLA should continue to build its delivery networks, including police forces not yet signed up as devolved power partners.

The Department and HM Treasury should continue to monitor the most up to date trends and forecast data on the volatility of future VED forecasts when considering policy, particularly given the Budget 2018 announcement around the use of VED revenue to supply the 2020-25 National Roads Fund.

In the longer term, I encourage the Department and HM Treasury to specifically consider the policy challenge of the VED tax base being eroded in line with the government’s progress on promoting a shift to zero emission vehicles in line with its Road to Zero strategy.