Research at DVLA
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-09)

Research carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

DVLA is an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT) and is responsible for managing the collection of data. DVLA manages nearly 53 million driver records and more than 47 million vehicle records.

The agency continues to hold the Customer Service Excellence standard for its service to customers.

Overview

DVLA has conducted user research since 2008 using a wide range of research methods, from traditional surveys to in-depth interviews, focus groups and targeted usability or prototype testing. Technology, customer behaviour and the way we offer our services has changed significantly in this time and we know from our customers that they want modern processes which allow increased flexibility in the way services are delivered.

We’re committed to developing excellent services for our customers that are both meaningful to them, and easy to use. To properly understand what our customers expect from DVLA services we carry out extensive research, some of which can be found below.

Research projects and reports

Information about research projects funded by the department is available at research at DVLA (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/research-at-dvla-reports).

Current work

We’re currently working on these surveys (some may be linked to our online services):
- drivers medical customer expectations
- driving licence application feedback
- tax a vehicle
- notify changes on a V5C
- renew driving licence
- notify DVLA of a medical condition
- tachograph driver card
- DVLA motoring
- View Vehicle Record (VVR) for fleets vehicles
- view or share your driving licence information
- DVLA posted items
- driver licence online applications
- trailer registration
- register a vehicle (RaV) feedback
- check a single vehicle service
- check and pay for multiple vehicles service
- pay a charge for a single vehicle service
- DVLA form ordering service
- clean air zone: Contact us
- Driver and vehicles account feedback
- driver and vehicles
- driving licence reject survey
- customer satisfaction survey - 10 year renewal
- kits and rebuilds survey
- V85/1 redesign
- notify sale or transfer of a vehicle
DVLA works closely with stakeholders, customers and other interested parties to make sure we’re providing products and services that suit their needs. This page will show developments (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-fleet-industry) on various projects, feedback and actions taken as a result. Where no action is taken an explanation is given.

To take part in further research

We’re looking for volunteers to join our online research panel. The panel has been set up to gain customer insight on Department for Transport’s (DfT) motoring services and road safety, to assist in the development of those services and related information.

If you’re over 16 and are interested in being part of this panel, or want more information, please e-mail: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

The research team at DVLA cannot help with general enquiries from members of the public by this email. Contact DVLA (https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla) if you’ve got a query about your driving licence or vehicle (https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving).

User experience

We’re committed to providing services for our customers that are both meaningful to them and easy to use. To better understand what our customers expect from us, we’re carrying out extensive research. This includes visiting and talking with stakeholders and citizens from all over the UK who use our services.

This ongoing insight with our customers will allow us to understand people’s reasons for interacting with us and their preferences around how they choose to do so.

We’ll use the feedback gathered to help design and improve our services.