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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: sussex peter on 13 December 2011, 14:53:10

Title: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: sussex peter on 13 December 2011, 14:53:10
I have just read that the Govt plans to shut all 39 of the regional DVLA centres to save money, and centralise all fuctions at Swansea. What do others think about this move?
I cant help but think this will make things even harder for the average motorist.
 :o
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: fiend61 on 13 December 2011, 14:55:58
be abit like the passport office except will have to travel to swansea to sort out their cock ups  >:(
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: sussex peter on 13 December 2011, 14:58:07
Exactly my thoughts. Swanseas bad enough now, i can see this being a real mess!
 :-\
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: albitz on 13 December 2011, 15:26:38
Never knew there were regional centres tbh. All my correspondence has always been from and to Swansea.  :-\

I have never had any problems with Swansea,always found them to be efficient,accurate and reasonably fast.
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 13 December 2011, 15:32:43
 :y swansea dvla has never been any good i dont live far but they still get it wrong
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: sandune on 13 December 2011, 16:05:18
Chelmsford --- fifteen miles away but Swansea how far? 249.3miles say 500 miles round trip . Southend to Swansea .
They save we pay. :-X
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: tunnie on 13 December 2011, 16:06:06
I've never had to drive to Swansea or any of their offices, always done everything online or through the post.

Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: feeutfo on 13 December 2011, 16:14:54
Most invonvenient. Regional office in Theale, down two junctions on the way home all taxed and dusted, no cocking about with post, envlopes, stamps, waiting 6 weeks for EVERY bloody thing to find its wrong!
  Current delay with my vic test and adding dual fuel to the log book is...   DVLA have lost the photo copies of the relevant documents, which i know where taken as i watched the clarke(?) do it and place them in the file. The numps!

Ime all is fine until swansea get involved where everything becones over officious rude and unhelpfull.  >:(


Although looking at the map of local offices, there simply arent enough to be classed as "local" to more than a few towns. For instance Theale is nearest to me, next nearest is Guildford iirc.
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 December 2011, 16:46:25
We're in trouble now. The only way to get any sense out of DVLA is to go there and bang your fist on the desk until it's sorted, IME. (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26795734/Smilies/bangshead.gif)
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: aaronjb on 13 December 2011, 17:47:30
That'll make it a bit of an arse to register a kit car.. dragging it all the way to Swansea!
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: MaxV6 on 13 December 2011, 17:58:58
not once in 30 years of driving have i needed to actually GO to a DVLA office.     


, sorry chaps, but if they're going to save pennies.....  stuff i've never ever used whatsoever, seems like a not unreasonable place to start......   

(i've never used a nuclear sub either.....      so here's hoping eh? )
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Gaffers on 13 December 2011, 18:07:11
Tbh, I dont see it making things worse.  Many applications are sent to Swansea anyway as the staff at local offices just do the checking before sending off.  They also intend to make doing stuff online much easier.

In the long run there will be no change, they'll still be crap!

Never  :y
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: TheBoy on 13 December 2011, 18:25:15
I guess the advantage will be only having one bunch of incompitent civil servants to deal with, rather than multiple lots - my last dealings with DVLA were Swansea telling me to go to local office, local office saying it was a Swansea issue, and me in the middle. 

Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 December 2011, 18:54:16
Swansea might handle run-of-the-mill changes of ownership, etc. reasonably well, but if you want to do something like change taxation class, fuel type, build a kit car, etc. believe me, it will be a nightmare. >:(
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: aaronjb on 13 December 2011, 18:57:17
Swansea might handle run-of-the-mill changes of ownership, etc. reasonably well, but if you want to do something like change taxation class, fuel type, build a kit car, etc. believe me, it will be a nightmare. >:(

I foresee many trips to Swansea in my future. No doubt with a car trailer on the back of the Omega.. that'll be fun, and cheap in fuel costs, too, I'm sure!
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 December 2011, 18:58:46
Swansea might handle run-of-the-mill changes of ownership, etc. reasonably well, but if you want to do something like change taxation class, fuel type, build a kit car, etc. believe me, it will be a nightmare. >:(

I foresee many trips to Swansea in my future. No doubt with a car trailer on the back of the Omega.. that'll be fun, and cheap in fuel costs, too, I'm sure!

Yeah, and getting it out of Swansea again with a car still on the back (let alone the trailer). Don't rate your chances. ;)
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: aaronjb on 13 December 2011, 19:14:37
Yeah, and getting it out of Swansea again with a car still on the back (let alone the trailer). Don't rate your chances. ;)

You're lucky to get out of that place with your life, let alone anything else! (I have an ex who lived there.. ah, unhappier times ;D)

I'll take TB with me - he can scare the locals off with his angry shouty man act ;)
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: jonnycool on 13 December 2011, 19:27:24
Ah, Swansea's not so bad, have a day out at the beach to calm yourself down after a day shouting at a civil servant  :)
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: aaronjb on 13 December 2011, 20:14:43
Mumbles is quite nice, to be fair, and that's not far away.. although parking is always a problem: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15941780 ;D
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: omegod on 13 December 2011, 20:18:24
I hope they make the sensible decision to let post offices de-disable tax cars rather than taking docs to regional offices, still will be shit though
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 December 2011, 21:13:03
Mumbles is quite nice, to be fair, and that's not far away.. although parking is always a problem: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15941780 ;D

Oh, Gawd! I have an ex who came from Mumbles. :-X
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: aaronjb on 13 December 2011, 21:16:55
Mumbles is quite nice, to be fair, and that's not far away.. although parking is always a problem: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15941780 ;D

Oh, Gawd! I have an ex who came from Mumbles. :-X

Not Miss Zeta-Jones, is it? ;D
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: mantahatch on 13 December 2011, 21:19:06
And if Wales gets independance what happens then ? it costs us 3 times what they saved to move it back to England.
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 December 2011, 21:21:04
Mumbles is quite nice, to be fair, and that's not far away.. although parking is always a problem: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15941780 ;D

Oh, Gawd! I have an ex who came from Mumbles. :-X

Not Miss Zeta-Jones, is it? ;D

Far from, more's the pity. :P :P :P :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: 05omegav6 on 13 December 2011, 22:40:35
Two ex police cars and one former disabled = 3 trips to the Brighton office. A 25 mile trip to collect a tax disc is one thing, driving nearly 300 is pushing it :-\

If fuel is cheaper in Wales that might offset the indignation of having to pay to get in ::)
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Ian_D on 14 December 2011, 00:01:19
I dont think this is a good move.

I've used one of their regional offices when I put the private plate on the car.

I also sent my mum+dad to sort out my first car (bought it as a Cat C), so what actually happens here, they cant expect everyone to drive to Wales who buys a Cat C car etc?  ??? ::)
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: 2woody on 14 December 2011, 18:14:11
yes, this is going to be inconwenient, especially for me ( remember, I've been registering prototype tanks recently )

BUT, almost any pain is worth it to see DVLA emloyees getting pushed out on the street
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Guinney1971 on 14 December 2011, 18:57:26
yes, this is going to be inconwenient, especially for me ( remember, I've been registering prototype tanks recently )

BUT, almost any pain is worth it to see DVLA emloyees getting pushed out on the street

^^^^  lol at the last bit, but I'd be sad to see our office in Nottingham go, its so convenient and the staff there
are really helpful. 

I used to work for a motor dealer, and it was always the quickest option for taxing cars with cherished numbers, and
dealing with ex Motability cars, etc.

I'd campaign to keep DVLA Nottingham open!

Claire
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: hotel21 on 14 December 2011, 19:23:35
In my experience, I have had nothing but first class help from the staff at the Dundee LVLO, whether that is as a private individual, my former profession or my current one where I go there probably minimum twice a week with a full folder each time of plate transfers, tax class changes, first registrations (where we couldn't do them in house) and similar.

Good peeps and most efficient.

(where are the unadulterated smileys when you need them.....)
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Bob G on 14 December 2011, 19:38:41
Never knew we had regional offices, what did they do? all my stuff sent to Swansea back within 7 days, been like that for yonks never any issues.  Tax disc on line arrives in 4 days so as far as i am concerned its not an issue.
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Varche on 14 December 2011, 19:51:33
Stop moaning.

DVLA isd a super efficient orgaisation compared with the crap on the continent.

You do not know you are born.

 :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 14 December 2011, 19:58:31
Yes, I would certainly voice my support in respect of the local centres - particularly my own, where I've found the staff to be both friendly and efficient.

The intention to centralise this service seems to be sound - in theory - but surely, in practice, the condensing of all this work from a national pool to a singular point is only asking for trouble.

Sounds a bit half-cocked to me.
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: r1 on 14 December 2011, 20:35:32
yes, this is going to be inconwenient, especially for me ( remember, I've been registering prototype tanks recently )

BUT, almost any pain is worth it to see DVLA emloyees getting pushed out on the street

^^^^  lol at the last bit, but I'd be sad to see our office in Nottingham go, its so convenient and the staff there
are really helpful. 

I used to work for a motor dealer, and it was always the quickest option for taxing cars with cherished numbers, and
dealing with ex Motability cars, etc.

I'd campaign to keep DVLA Nottingham open!

Claire

nottingham gets my vote too
i wonder if its payback for them going on strike a couple of weeks ago?
or am i being paranoid?
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Jimbob on 14 December 2011, 20:39:26
We have an office in walking distance (just)

I have had to use it several times, taxing cars on previously cherished plates
sorting disabled tax class changes
etc,

All been relatively straightforward,

IF they change it to be doable online, fine, but I doubt they will be able to get you a tax disk on the same day, which is inconvienient.
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: hotel21 on 14 December 2011, 21:19:45
As things stand at the moment I have a prearranged appointment each month to take back and get new books of Tax Discs for subsequent dealer issue.  The rules surrounding their transport and issue to/from/at the dealership can be considered laughable by some.

DVLA require that the office used to issue the discs at the dealership is locked to disallow entry whilst the process is ongoing and discs kept very much under secure lock and key when stored.

Will Group4 or similar be used for return/replacement if centralised?  The cost, if so, would not be inconsiderable, i would have thought.  As well as somewhat impractical.....
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: feeutfo on 14 December 2011, 21:27:23
Stop moaning.

DVLA isd a super efficient orgaisation compared with the crap on the continent.

You do not know you are born.

 :y :y :y :y
Oh I think we do!  ;D
Title: Re: End of the DVLA regional centres
Post by: Vamps on 14 December 2011, 23:09:28
We have a local office in the town where I work, I have used it for a number of reasons, I renew tax on line, which would be more difficult by post and have found the people working there most helpful.... :)

The local motor trade use them a lot, how now will they be able to sell a car and let you drive it away within 24 hours or even the same day if it is untaxed or private plate needs changing.... :(

We need to be careful about relying too much on on-line services, if the computers go down for what ever reason what then?

I do not work for the dvla but we had a power cut in our office last week for over an hour, the move towards a paperless system meant work came to a halt.... ::) ::) ::) I should add that paperless, to me means using more paper as I find the need to print out reports to be able to read them properly.... :)