Nowhere to hide? DVLA and Home Office bring latest tech to police roadside checks
13 July 2021
The DVLA have recently announced that they now have the technology to allow police to get instant access to a driver’s photo at the roadside, in the case of motoring offences. Supporting the focus on digitisation within law enforcement, the DVLA has worked with the Home Office to give police officers access to the photograph held on DVLA’s driver database actually at the roadside.
How does it work?
The system allows the police officer to search the Police National Computer to obtain the driving licence number. This number is a unique identifier which helps guarantee that the correct image will be accessed from the DVLA record. Using this, the police officer will then receive the driving licence holder’s photograph to complete the check.
What does this mean?
The implication of this is that police officers can confirm the driver’s identity almost instantly whilst at the roadside during a roadside check.
Also, it saves time. It is estimated that up to June 2021 the new technology has saved over 14,000 hours for Road Police Unit Officers and Local Policing Officers. The knock-on effect of this is that there is more time for patrolling, supporting investigations and community work.
Furthermore, the fact that roadside checks are now up to 66% faster means motorists can get back on the road quicker.
Who is using the new technology?
This technology is currently in use by the following 18 police forces:
- Surrey
- Sussex
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- The City of London Police
- Police Scotland
- PSNI
- South Yorkshire
- Humberside
- Dyfed-Powys
- Gloucestershire
- West Yorkshire
- Devon and Cornwall
- Merseyside
- Dorset
- Derbyshire
It is expected that the technology will be rolled out to a further 10 police forces across the UK soon. The plan is for 46 police forces to have access.
Please contact the regulatory team on 01254 828300 if you would like any advice.
