November/December 2014
www.bvrla.co.uk
BVRLA News The bimonthly newsletter of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
DfT urged to delay the counterpart abolition The BVRLA has assembled a coalition of other trade associations in its efforts to convince the Department for Transport (DfT) to delay the abolition of the driving licence paper counterpart. Like the BVRLA, the Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association, Association of British Insurers and Retail Motor Industry Federation have concerns that a hastily abolished counterpart could cause major disruption for their members. Following BVRLA pressure, the DfT has pushed back the abolition date from 1 January 2015 to later in the Spring, but the association remains concerned that the rental industry won't have a cost-neutral, 24/7, real-time alternative. Members instead have the following strategies for checking driver records: 1. Share My Driving Licence (SMDL) Using their National Insurance number, driver number and postcode, hirers would use the SMDL webpage before arriving, print off their record and take it to the rental desk. Members can either accept this copy at face value, or check its authenticity online using a passcode provided by the hirer. Following calls from BVRLA, the lifespan of this passcode has been extended from 48 to 72 hours. The service is free to use, but still in development.
access to bulk driver information via an application programming interface (API) and fixed line. Members can apply to offer this service, which will cost at least £20,000 to set up. The BVRLA will offer a similar service for members. Given that two of these three options are still in development, the association has joined forces with the ABI, FTA, RHA and RMIF in calling on the Department for Transport to delay the abolition. Delaying the abolition will give all stakeholders enough time to test and develop new services. The BVRLA also wants to help the DVLA ensure it is ready to cope with the volume of additional enquiries it will receive. In the meantime, members should talk to their insurers about how the abolition will affect any stipulations surrounding their insurance cover. The BVRLA is talking to the ABI to raise awareness of this issue amongst the wider insurance industry. u For more information Visit www.bvrla.co.uk/counterpart Contact Nora Leggett 01494 545713 nora@bvrla.co.uk.
Annual Review out now
2. DVLA's premium rate phone line Members call 09061 393837 between 8am - 7pm Monday - Friday, and between 8am - 2pm on Saturdays to check driver details. Calls cost 51p per minute, and the service is live now. 3. Trusted third party services The DVLA will provide certain 'trusted' companies with direct, real-time
2014 Review: Copies sent to members, PDF at www.bvrla.co.uk/annual-review
BVRLA Fleet Industry Manifesto unveiled House of Lords event provided politicians with food for thought as the fleet industry unveiled its policy recommendations. page 3 Autumn Statement summary for members All you need to know about the Chancellor's Autumn Statement announcements and how they affect the industry. page 4 New report shows sector's impact Latest Oxford Economics report shows the vehicle rental and leasing industry's contribution to UK GDP and jobs. page 5 Industry Conference picture highlights The BVRLA welcomed 150 delegates to its Industry Conference, which took place in Gaydon on 4 December. pages 6-7 News on BVRLA staff, committees & surveys Quarterly leasing research, committee round-ups and new members of staff, plus the results from our member survey. page 9 2015 Events calendar A look ahead at the training courses, forums, seminars and social events that the BVRLA will be running in 2015. page 10
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