Government considers DVLA data sale restrictions

The government is considering restricting the number of private sector companies and individuals that are allowed access to motorists' details from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) vehicle database.

The DVLA revealed earlier this week that it made £6.3m in the last year from selling access to the names and addresses of motorists to private sector companies such as wheel clampers, bailiffs and debt collection agencies.

A government review and consultation exercise seeking views on the data access controls ended on 31 March and received 126 responses.

Transport minister Dr Stephen Ladyman told MPs: "While I am keen to make an announcement as soon as possible, this is an important and complex matter and I intend to give it full and careful consideration before doing so."

The DVLA currently charges an administration fee of £2.50 to anyone who can demonstrate "reasonable cause" to receive the information from the vehicle database. Once the request is approved they can submit a car registration number to find out the name and address of the vehicle's owner.

There is no legal definition of "reasonable cause", however, and this has raised concerns that there is not enough scrutiny of the companies and individuals making the requests for driver details.

The DVLA said the regulations have worked efficiently for 40 years but admitted: "When the provisions were originally introduced they did not anticipate the introduction of electronic databases, the large number of vehicles on the roads, or the range of bodies now requesting access. Concerns have also recently been raised about the breadth of organisations that have access to the register."