Motoring Services Strategy

Thursday 13th December 2012 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Stephen Hammond)]

I am today announcing the publication of a consultation document on the Department for Transport’s motoring services strategy. In line with the Government’s broader vision for public services as set out in the civil service reform plan, the Open Public Services White Paper and the Government digital strategy, the Department is outlining broad reform proposals for its four motoring services Executive agencies:

Driving Standards Agency (DSA)

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)

Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)

The strategy sets out three principles for the future:

Putting consumers and businesses at the heart of what we do.

Rationalising the number of bodies and agencies involved in the delivery of our services.

Working more closely and collaboratively with our partners to deliver services, and boost economic growth by creating opportunities for small and medium-size businesses.

To do this we will:

Maximise the digital delivery of services to motorists and improve the customer experience. We will also ensure that those who find access to digital services difficult are supported to do so.

Reform the Vehicle Certification Agency which provides high quality and trusted service to the automotive industry and is recognised for its quality and integrity. We will look at ways to help VCA to grow and contribute more to the wider economy.

Explore ways to improve the convenience to customers of the driving test by looking at the locations from which we deliver them.

Transform HGV, bus and coach testing by expanding joint ventures and collaboration with private sector providers, and reducing the number of Government-owned test stations.

Rationalise the number of agencies and reconfigure our organisations to reduce cost and improve consistency.

We are inviting views and responses from as broad a range of organisations and users of our services as possible This will include road users, businesses, trade associations, road safety groups, transport associations and others. Improving the way we engage with and listen to them will help to design better services.

The consultation will run until 7 March 2013.