Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

Maintains the GB register of drivers and vehicles, issues licences, and handles driver medical and tachograph matters.

This page describes law that varies by part of the UK. Each section flags the jurisdiction it applies to.

Overview

The DVLA is the UK government agency responsible for maintaining the register of drivers and registered vehicles in Great Britain (DVA in Northern Ireland). It issues driving licences, processes vehicle tax, manages the V5C registration certificate, and assesses driver medical fitness. Disputes about licence revocation on medical grounds are appealable to the Magistrates' Court.

What it handles

Driving licence applications, renewals, and revocations
Medical fitness to drive assessments
Vehicle registration (V5C) and Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN)
Personalised registration applications

Appeals

Magistrates' Court (medical revocation, s.100 Road Traffic Act 1988).

Official sources

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency

Last reviewed: 2026-05-21. This is legal information, not legal advice.