The Department for Transport is to update its
40-year-old rules covering release of data from the Driver and
Vehicle Licensing Agency register.
The rules protecting the register of 35 million vehicles and
their owners were originally drawn up before the introduction of
electronic databases, the DfT admitted.
It has launched a public consultation seeking views on which
organisations should have access to the data and why, how access
should be managed and audit measures.
The current regulations give the police, local authorities and
customs and excise access to the register. Access must 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”.
In recent years, information from the register has been released
to insurance firms, clamping companies, housing associations,
banks, private investigators and private individuals.
Last year, the National Audit Office found that nearly a third
of the DVLA's records contained an inaccuracy.
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.”