The Government has announced a three-month consultation period for proposals to close all of the UK’s local DVLA offices – a move that would see 39 centres affected, with the potential loss of more than 1,200 jobs.

The move was announced shortly before Christmas, amid Government claims that the office closures could save up to £28m per year.

The Public and Commercial Services Union is fighting the proposals, claiming that the cuts make “no economic sense and will be fiercely resisted.” The union added: “The closures would wipe out the high quality, face-to-face services provided to the public and the motor trade, who often have complex queries to deal with.”

While Mike Penning MP – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport – recently underlined the Government’s commitment to the UK’s classic car industry, as reported in last month’s CCM, he is fully supportive of the DVLA closures, claiming that the move would “make dealing with the DVLA easier and quicker.” The UK’s 39 DVLA regional offices currently perform a variety of functions, including vehicle taxation, the registering of personally imported vehicles, trade plate processing and cherished number transfers.

Among the organisations being contacted during the current three-month consultation period is the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, which represents more than 500 classic vehicle groups.

WHAT DO YOU THINK about the Government’s proposals to close the DVLA’s regional offices? Will you be affected – or do you think the cost savings make it a worthwhile move? Whatever your views or experiences, write to us at the usual Peterborough address (see Page 3) or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .