DSA Chief Executive Gary Austin gives us his regular update on all the latest from the Agency, including relief at a pay settlement and news on the automated driving licence upgrade service

Pay Settlement

I'm pleased to tell you that DSA staff who are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union have voted to accept this year's pay offer. I personally am delighted by the result, which was announced after a ballot of union members.

Automated Driving Licence Upgrades

And there is more encouraging news. The new Automated Driving Licence Issue project - where driving licences can automatically be upgraded - has got off to a good start and now about 10% of successful test candidates are using it. It had been predicted that the take-up of the new service would start at 8 per cent and the figure was bang on target. It has been rising since then and we anticipate this will continue over the next 12 months.

The project enables new drivers, where eligible, to upgrade their driving licences automatically after passing a practical test. Eligible customers no longer need to send their documents such as their existing licence, signed pass certificate, and fee to DVLA.

A detailed report on how ADLI works and who is eligible to use it was published in the last issue of Despatch. The object of the project is to improve customer service and the process will include further enhancements in the future. It has been a joint initiative between the Agency and DVLA.

We have also introduced a new management information database called Road Safety Information System (RSIS) which holds data from scanned driving test reports. We will be able to gather more information from this new system and use it as an aid for our road safety initiatives.

Fees Consultation

On the subject of driving licences, DVLA has issued a consultation paper about licence and vehicle registration fees. The consultation paper is important as it gives four different options for covering the costs of the services, and the proposals affect all motorists - vehicle keepers, new and prospective drivers, the motor industry and related businesses.

Views are sought by 8 November and it is planned that any fee changes arising from the consultation will be brought into force after the 2005-06 financial year. We are encouraging people to respond. The proposals include the possibility of issuing the first driving licence free to people under the age of 21. So it is worth taking a look at: the paper is available on the DVLA website www.dvla.gov.uk.

Pearson Vue, our new theory test service providers, started to deliver tests at the beginning of the month (6 September). Part of the change will be the introduction of a new mobile testing service for theory test customers in the North West of Scotland. This innovative way of taking the theory test service to candidates means that candidates should not have to travel so far in future to sit a test. This new way of taking the theory test is good news for people in these outlying areas.