Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
Case reference: IC-385507-V7B9
Your FOIA request of 14 February 2025 to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) regarding Keeper (V5C) Database Integrity and Policies
Their reference: FOIR12189, FOIR12252-IR
14/02/2025 The request
On 14 February 2025 you made the following request for information under the FOIA:
“Please provide:
- DVLA Policy on Keeper Changes & Potential False Keeper Information
a. A copy of the DVLA’s policy on verifying and processing keeper changes, particularly in cases where fraudulent activity is suspected.
b. The steps the DVLA takes when notified that a vehicle’s registration document (V5C) may have been fraudulently obtained or misused.
c. The procedure for correcting erroneous keeper change records when fraud or error is suspected.
d. Who prosecutes these V5C offences (police/DVLA?) - For the calendar years 2023 & 2024, how many keeper-related offences have been
a. Alleged
b. Prosecuted
c. Convicted or
d. Are outstanding, awaiting decision/hearing
If the above is not in a readily retrievable format, please provide - for the period, the matters falling to vehicle documentation offences as at 4a to 4d inclusive above & the offence codes for these each
- the action taken by the DVLA since 01/01/2023 to reduce keeper misrepresentation offences and
- any report/analysis relating to the issue of misrepresented, false or lack of keeper data; concerns raised, extent and intention to address.”
On 17 February 2025 you clarified your request. The questions remained the same but you changed the numbering from question 2 (d) and added the following:
“4. the matters falling to vehicle documentation offences as at 2a to 2d inclusive above & the offence codes for these offences
- the action taken by the DVLA since 01/01/2023 to reduce keeper misrepresentation offences and
- any report / analysis relating to the issue; concerns raised, extent and intention to address.”
On 13 March 2025 the DVLA responded and confirmed it holds information in scope of the request. However, it withheld information under sections 31(1)(a) and 31(1)(d) of FOIA. With regard to question 1(d) the DVLA stated the offences referred to within this question, are a matter for the police. With regard to questions 2(a) to 2(d) the DVLA said this information is not held, it advised that the offences referred to in question one, are a matter for the police.
On the same day you asked for an internal review.
On 12 May 2025 the DVLA provided its review response and maintained its original position. It also noted your comment about there being a causal link between the information held and the prejudices claimed within this exemption. The DVLA said, however, it cannot provide further details over and above its original reply, “owing to the risk of placing sensitive information into the public domain, which would undermine the ‘factors for withholding’ outlined.”
On the same day you complained to the ICO about the DVLA and its handling of your request for information.
The scope of the case
The focus of my investigation will be to determine whether the DVLA handled the request in accordance with the FOIA. Specifically, I’ll look at whether it is entitled to rely on sections 31(1)(a) and 31 (1)(d) of FOIA for refusing to comply with the request.
Going forward
I’ve now written to the DVLA to investigate your complaint. Once I receive its response and I’ve had the opportunity to review it, I’ll contact you with an update.
Please contact me by 7 November 2025 if there are matters other than these that you believe should be addressed. You can provide your confirmation by replying directly to this email, leaving the subject field unchanged.
If I do not hear from you by this date, my investigation will focus only upon the matters identified within this letter.
ICO Lead Case Officer