Regulator profile
DVLA
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Licensing Body2 areas of regulation · 4 official guidance documents · 2 laws enforced · Great Britain
What DVLA does
Maintains registers of drivers and vehicles in Great Britain. Issues driving licences and vehicle registration documents. Collects vehicle excise duty. Businesses operating vehicles must ensure proper licensing and registration.
Contact DVLA
Types of regulation
Official guidance from DVLA
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
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Vehicle Certification Agency — type approval
Detailed Guidance
-
Tax your vehicle
Detailed Guidance
-
Check HGV tax rates
Detailed Guidance
-
Tell DVLA you've sold, transferred or bought a vehicle
Detailed Guidance
Legal framework
Legislation that DVLA directly enforces.
Primary legislation
Secondary legislation
- The Vehicle Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997 UK Statutory Instrument 1997
Related legislation
Legislation connected to DVLA's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Administered / monitored
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The Motor Vehicles (International Circulation) Order 1975
UK Statutory Instrument 1975 -
Road Traffic Act 1988
UK Act of Parliament 1988 -
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
UK Act of Parliament 1988 -
Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994
UK Act of Parliament 1994 -
Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995
UK Act of Parliament 1995 -
The Sale of Registration Marks Regulations 1995
UK Statutory Instrument 1995 -
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999
UK Statutory Instrument 1999 -
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
UK Statutory Instrument 2001 -
The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002
UK Statutory Instrument 2002 -
The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Information Centre and Compensation Body) Regulations 2003
UK Statutory Instrument 2003
Sectors regulated
Coverage area
Great Britain
Covers England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland may have separate arrangements.