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DVLA consultation on historic vehicle registration processes

See a copy of the FBHVC release. More
Posted: 240517 & Update: 240612

FBHVC online survey
At the head of the their survey form the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs "FBHVC" says: "We request that you review the following summary of the FBHVC Board’s position and indicate in the appropriate boxes whether you agree or disagree. If you do not agree, please suggest an alternative.

The FBHVC will then compile a response representative of all club members’ views compliant with the details of the DVLA’s request for evidence".
FBHVC Document

Comment
The DVLA procedures for assessing the range of changes made to vehicles can be complex so a careful review of the current DVLA procedures is essential. It's a welcome step that DVLA is seeking the views and input of owners of historic and classic cars and the bodies like the FBHVC that represent clubs. The approach taken by the FBHVC is clearly wise - it's expert team have set out their views in a provisional response document with each section addressing each part of the official DVLA consultation (or Call for Evidence) document. The FBHVC online survey welcomes club members' views as part of the process of finsalising the formal consultation response document which will be published by the FBHVC and submitted to the Government, representing the responses received.

It's vital the formal consultation response is carefully prepared representing club members' views and input and also avoiding any unintended consequences in terms of creating difficulties with processing historic and classic vehicles registrations.

Wise comments from Alastair Clements, Editor in chief, Classic & Sports Car magazine The lead item in the July 2024 issue of this well regarded classic car magazine addresses the concerns we have also had over the DVLA's survey ("Call for Evidence") and the complexities with assessing the issues and consequences, not least the possibility of unhelpful unintended consequences. Alastair Clements' piece is well drafted, clear and focuses on the key issues. The text of his comments is alongside - our credit to him and to the magazine. C&SC Website It's well worth getting a copy of the July issue of the magazine because on page 15 there is a report on Mark Harper, then Secretary of State for Transport, launching the Call for Evidence to gather views on how historic vehicle registrations are handled by DVLA. All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group More V8 member' experience with the survey forms Tony Lake mentioned he "didn't keep a copy of the reply he sent on the FBHVC provisional response to the DVLA survey as he agreed with all the FHBVC positions for which they provided a reasoned response on the questions in the DVLA survey. Where they explained that a reply was not forthcoming because it was not in their remit, I agreed with that too". The FBHVC is experienced in liaising with government authorities. In response to the DVLA request for evidence and the specific questions asked by the DVLA in its Call for Evidence, the FBHVC's carefully considered positions are set out in their provisional response document. FBHVC Document Updated: 240612	Alastair Clements' lead item in Classic & Sports Car magazine "It's rare that we get a chance to affect the future of our hobby, but the Government's Call for Evidence on "Registering historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles, and vehicles converted to electric" gives us just that. There has been significant criticism of the DVLA in recent years, spearheaded by the British Historic Vehicle Clubs through their work with the Historic Vehicle User Group. Since we highlighted that in our Classic Identity Crisis investigation (October 2023), we've had letters from many readers who have struggled to retain their cars' original registration numbers and been issued with Q-plates following restoration or modification, despite their vehicles having continuous, documented histories. As we go through a period of unprecedented change for our hobby, it's only right that these concerns should be addressed - even more so that those of us whom they affect should get a chance to have our say. But, having tackled the Call for Evidence myself, I can confirm that it isn't an easy survey to navigate, with much of it apparently angled to retain the status quo at the DVLA, so I recommend seeking further advice from the HCVA or the FBHVC before filling it in. Make sure you don't let the opportunity pass you by, though. As the MP Mark Harper said: "The more responses we get, the better. It will demonstrate to my colleagues in government the importance of this industry and helps us make the case for rapid progress."

Our Club's input to the DVLA's survey & the FBHVC response Neil Brant (MG Car Club director) and the Club's Registers are working together to gather their views on DVLA's survey seeking views on whether and how changes could be made to the vehicle registration process that will make it easier for keepers who adapt their vehicles to make sure they’re roadworthy and safe. Neil also aims to submit those views to the FBHVC (as the body representing classic car clubs) to assist their finalising their formal response to DVLA. Neil feels collectively the Registers and its members are the best placed group to provide an informed view on this DVLA consultation and guide the Club’s formal response. We also want to know if you have any suggestions based on your knowledge and expertise in this area that may assist in improving the registration process for vehicles, not least for MGV8s. Also whether you feel any of DVLA's policies and procedures need updating, in particular to reflect evolving technologies that support the restoration and rebuilding of vehicles, along with vehicles that are being converted to electric. The aim is to provide support for a formal response from the MG Car Club to both the FBHVC provisional response document and directly to DVLA's call for evidence survey. Neil has asked the V8 Register "please give it some thought and reply to me by the 12th June". Please review the DVLA document below and the draft provisional response document prepared by the FBHVC and send your comments and suggestions as soon as you can to Tony Smith (V8 Chairman). Contacts DVLA survey document & FBHVC provisional response document
DVLA Call for Evidence The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have launched a call for evidence around the existing policies and registration processes for historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles converted to electric. The executive summary calls for evidence as to whether the DVLA procedures for assessing changes made to vehicles which have been rebuilt, converted or radically altered to such an extent that it can affect the identity of the vehicle and whether the registration processes need updating. The key areas for responses are: Historic & classic vehicles Reconstructed classic vehicles Rebuilt vehicles Restored vehicles Kit built and kit converted vehicles Radically altered vehicles Vehicles converted to electric propulsion See the DVLA Call for Evidence document. More	FBHVC provisional response to the DVLA Call for Evidence and a member survey The FBHVC provisional response addresses each section of the DVLA Call for Evidence that all members of the historic vehicle community can now read and indicate their views and support through an electronic survey. The FBHVC has innovatively published its positioning statement to give everyone a voice and make completing the consultation document less onerous. The positioning statement is split into sections relating to each part of the official DVLA consultation document that the FBHVC will complete on behalf of the community. Once the feedback to the FBHVC online survey is collated, a formal consultation response document will be published by the FBHVC and submitted to the Government, representing the responses received. This call for evidence runs until 4th July 2024 and you can respond by visiting the link below to the FBHVC provisional response & online survey: https://evidence.fbhvc.co.uk/
Comments at the head of the DVLA Call for Evidence document by Mark Harper, the former Transport Minister Classic and historic vehicles are a rolling testament to British innovation and the UK Government is committed to supporting this sector. While the DVLA must carry out its duty to ensure road safety and protect future purchasers when modifications are made to vehicles, we are committed to exploring changes that will make it easier for keepers who adapt their vehicles to make sure they’re roadworthy and safe. We recognise that technology is changing the way vehicleas are being rebuilt and restored, as well as driving an increasing move towards converting older vehicles to electric. In light of this, the UK Government believes that the time is right to review the existing policies and processes relating to how these vehicles are registered with DVLA. There are many people and organisations with a range of expertise and a wide range of different views on these issues. The aim of this call for evidence is to tap into that range of experience, views and research to help the UK Government identify areas of potential change. Introduction by DVLA to the Call for Evidence document DVLA says "This call for evidence explains the current policies used for identifying such vehicles and the registration processes for them, which have been in place for many years. We are seeking your expert knowledge about whether these policies need updating, in particular to reflect evolving technologies that support the restoration and rebuilding of vehicles, along with vehicles that are being converted to electric. We also want to know if you have any suggestions based on your knowledge and expertise in this area that may assist in improving the registration process for these vehicles"