The petition of residents of the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk.

Declares that the petitioners believe that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is there to equally service non-disabled and disabled drivers; further that most members of the public will be unaware that drivers who qualify for a 50% discount on their road tax due to being in receipt of standard rate PIP must make an application via post; and further that the petitioners feel that all drivers should equally be able to apply for road tax via post, online or at the Post Office.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to instruct the DVLA to permit all drivers to apply for road tax by whichever method is most convenient for them.

And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Martyn Day, Official Report, 15 March 2023; Vol. 729, c. 932.]

[P002812]

Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport (Richard Holden):

Information about individuals in receipt of the personal independence payment (PIP) is held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Those in receipt of enhanced PIP where no vehicle excise duty payment is required can use the DVLA’s online and post office vehicle licensing services. Such vehicles are licensed in the disabled tax class. However customers who receive the standard rate of PIP pay vehicle excise duty at 50 per cent of the rate applicable to the tax class of their individual vehicle. To provide an online service for these customers requires significant technical developments to be made. The DVLA continues to work with the DWP on how this process can be improved and delivered online.