DVLA website struggles with new system

 

A new online system created by the DVLA for hiring a car has been experiencing problems, according to reports from customers and car hire providers.

A number of people who attempted to use the system (which does not apply to drivers in Northern Ireland) said it was not working properly, while some car hire firms had to deal with queues.

The changes, which involve the abolition of the paper counterpart, were implemented on Monday 8 June.

However, the DVLA said that more than 20,000 drivers had managed to access the site without difficulty.

From now on, motorists hiring a car may have to produce a special temporary code as evidence of their convictions.

The DVLA said it had been working on the new system ‘for months’.

As a result of the abolition of the paper counterpart, all evidence of driving endorsements and convictions will be held online only.

From now on, motorists are being asked to log on to the DVLA website, and obtain a code, which they may be asked for when they go to hire a car, either in the UK or abroad.

However, the code is only valid for three days, raising the possibility that those going on holiday may have to find internet access.

The DVLA have responded by stating that there was an ‘exceptionally high demand’ on its website, and it was urgently investigating the issue.