The National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) databases which have a legal basis in Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993 constitute the national driver and vehicle registers. The NVDF vehicle database contains details in respect of the registered vehicles (2.5 million currently taxed) in the country and has information on the registered owners, the motor tax status and descriptions of individual vehicles themselves. There is also information with regard to the current status of vehicles including off the road, stolen, insurance write off and scrapped/end-of-life.
There are 2.65 million drivers with licences/learner permits in the country and the NVDF database contains personal data including name and address, date of birth and PPSN particulars. There is also information on driving licence period(s) and category entitlements as well as details of any current penalty points applied and driving disqualification data where relevant.
Timeliness and accuracy of NVDF data is assisted through facilities such as online motor tax service and the service which enables approved motor dealers notify the NVDF system about the purchase and sale of vehicles.
The NVDF are centralized national registers and the system has similarities with the registers in other jurisdictions including the UK databases at the DVLA in Swansea. However the systems in other jurisdictions reflect the specific legal and administrative structures relating to the registration and taxation of motor vehicles and the licensing of drivers in those countries. As indicated in reply to to Parliamentary Question No. 795 of 8 July 2014, the Criminal Justice Working Group will take account of the systems in other jurisdictions in furthering the objective of having the most up-to-date vehicle and driver information.
