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Policy paper

DVLA privacy policy

This privacy notice explains how DVLA processes your personal data. In particular, it explains how we collect, use, disclose, transfer and store your data.

Updates to this page

From:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Published:
24 May 2018
Last updated:
25 August 2026
Show all updates

  1. Added information on the use of artificial intelligence when handling correspondence and complaints made to DVLA.

  2. Updated the privacy policy on how DVLA may contact customers for feedback on the service received and that debt collection service providers may carry out profiling of a debtor.

  3. Updated statistics added to the introduction of the DVLA privacy policy HTML document.

  4. Added text to the first sentence in the section 'When you contact DVLA' to include service or data protection complaints.

  5. Updated information within Annex 1: Retention periods, under 'When you have a query or complaint'.

  6. Updated privacy policy HTML.

  7. Updated information on who we share your vehicle data with.

  8. Updated bullet point within the introduction section, under 'Who we may share personal information with'.

  9. Update to 'When you open a Driver and vehicles account' section.

  10. Updated statistics in line with the 2024 to 2025 annual report and accounts.

  11. Added information under the 'What information DVLA collects about you' section and updated the 'When you subscribe to receive DVLA email alerts' section in the DVLA privacy policy - HTML attachment.

  12. Updated the bullet point list under 'What information DVLA collects about you' and updated the 'When you contact DVLA' section in the DVLA privacy policy - HTML attachment.

  13. DVLA privacy policy document updated. 'When you buy a private (personalised) registration number' and 'When you have a query or complaint' sections of Annex 1: Retention periods document also updated.

  14. Update to information in the introduction under 'Who we may share personal data with' (22 January 2025)

  15. Figures updated in line with the DVLA annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024.

  16. Privacy policy updated under 'When you open a Driver and vehicles account', 'When you apply to register or tax a vehicle' and 'When you have a query or complaint'.

  17. Updated the section under 'When you open a Driver and vehicles account'.

  18. Updates to 'When you open a Driver and vehicles account'

  19. Updates to 'When you buy a private (personalised) registration number' and 'Transfers of data outside of the UK'.

  20. Updated information under the headline 'When you have a query or complaint' to advise on the processing of data when contacting DVLA through OSCD Recruitment webchat.

  21. Annex 1: Retention periods - HTML attachment added. Privacy policy updated to link to 'Annex 1: Retention periods' in 'How long we keep information about you' section. Privacy policy updated to include insurance industries in list under 'Who we may share personal information with'. Privacy policy updated to add health care professionals under 'Who we share your driver data with' in 'When you apply for a driving licence' section.

  22. Update to 'Transfers of Data Outside of the UK'

  23. Updated information under the heading "Transfers of data outside of the UK"

  24. When you apply for a tachograph card - We process your data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018, and tachograph Regulation (EU) 165/2014, as it has effect in the UK.

  25. Added - 03. If you use an online service and we need to check your identity 04. When you open a Driver and Vehicle account

  26. Edited "Transfer of data outside of the UK".

  27. Amendment to section 9 of the DVLA privacy policy: When you buy a private (personalised) registration number, we collect your name, address, email address, company name, telephone number and payment card details. Where applicable, we will also collect the nominee name and nominee address.

  28. The below information was added to '14. When you have a query or complaint': "To improve our complaint procedure, we carry out customer satisfaction surveys and we may contact you for feedback on how we have dealt with your complaint."

  29. 'Data sharing agreement with Spain' subsection added to '13. Transfers of data outside of the UK'.

  30. Updated section 5 title to "When you apply to register or tax a vehicle". Information in this section has been updated to: "To collect Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and enforce against VED evasion (this includes the payment of penalties, out of court settlements and using automated number plate reader technology and wheelclamping)".

  31. Information added to pont 5.

  32. Para 9. When you buy a private (personalised) registration number: added how long your note of interest in a registration number is kept for

  33. Added that we may share personal information with other Department for Transport agencies.

  34. Added 'Section 16 - When you are an external visitor to a DVLA site'. Also, 'Who we are' in Section 1 has been updated to include the latest figures.

  35. Updated third paragraph in Section 14 - When you have a query or complaint.

  36. Private car parking management companies added to 'Who we may share personal information with Where it is lawful to do so',

  37. Amended para 2. Information we hold about you - to link to new form to make a subject access request

  38. Section 16: Added email address for DVLA's Data Protection Manager.

  39. Amendment to 'Why you must provide your personal data' within Para 3. When you apply for a driving licence

  40. Amended point 11, When you contact us about Clean Air Zones.

  41. Updated section 3.

  42. Updated section 13.

  43. Additional information added under point 1.

  44. Updated Data Protection address

  45. Updated sections 4, 5, 11, 12 and added a new section 13.

  46. Added a new section to the document under number 14.

  47. Additional information added at the end of point 3.

  48. Amendment to address for subject access requests.

  49. More links to privacy information added.

  50. New section 11 added

  51. Updated section 5 and added new section 11 (Charging Clean Air Zones).

  52. Updated number of driver records we hold.

  53. Update to DVLA privacy policy document.

  54. Updated information.

  55. Section 3 updated

  56. Privacy policy updated

  57. Update to Welsh version

  58. Updated information about V5C Registration Certificate.

  59. Introduction updated.

  60. Section 9: 'When you buy a private (personalised) registration number' - 'What information we collect' section updated.

  61. Trailer registration information added.

  62. Attachment updated.

  63. Added translation

  64. First published.

Documents

DVLA privacy policy

HTML

Annex 1: Retention periods

HTML

Details

DVLA aims to comply with all applicable data protection laws when processing your personal information. These laws are in place to safeguard your personal information and include measures covering data security, your rights regarding your personal data, and the use and disclosure of your data.

Further information on the standards you can expect from us is set out in our personal information charter.

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