Council parking chiefs want DVLA’s secret data on drivers


Mark Blunden writes in the Evening Standard:

London councils want unprecedented access to confidential driver and vehicle data to tackle illegal parking.

Town halls are considering using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database to manage permits and fines, but campaigners fear it will lead to more incorrect tickets being issued and increased surveillance of drivers.

The DVLA said councils now have only limited access to information about abandoned or “nuisance” vehicles, or to help combat fly-tipping.

It has had requests from Newham, Kingston, Kensington and Chelsea, Southwark and Camden councils for blanket online access to its database, plus a “consortium” application from London Councils, parent body of the 32 boroughs.

The requests have so far been refused, the DVLA said. London Councils said access would “provide a cheaper, more efficient, paperless parking system”.