From Ian Moorcraft DVLA Rep 

By the time you read this, the typically short government consultation process will have ended with regards to the closure of ‘all’ local DVLA offices, 39 in total. It is envisaged that all will be closed by 2013.

The reason for these closures is of course to save money, with 1200 redundancies expected among the current staff.

I am not yet sure how this will affect us with regards to our applications to retain original and age related numbers for our cars under the V765 scheme.

I would suggest that any member who expects to be using the scheme to retain an original number to do so as soon as is practicable just to be on the safe side. To make an application for the retention of an original number the car only needs to be  ‘substantially complete’ and not necessarily in running order at the time of inspection by DVLA.

Those who are intending to apply for an age related number are not so fortunate as the car needs to be insured and MOTd at the time of inspection before a number is allocated. Members in this position should keep up to date with the situation via the FBHVC newsletters. I will keep you updated via this newsletter as much as I can.

The crux of this issue is how we will be able to have our cars inspected without a local DVLA office? I can’t see DVLA keeping a team of inspectors to travel the country for free (in the current climate) or the practicality of owners traveling to Swansea from the outer regions to have their car inspected. One thing that is certain is one way or the other it’s going to cost; now there’s a surprise!

The PCS Union is organising a petition closing on 6 March. For details click here