Project Overview
A DVLA-contracted digital supplier building a vehicle tax and MOT renewal reminder service for UK motorists (n...
Technology Stack
Compliance & Standards
The Challenge
A DVLA-contracted digital supplier building a vehicle tax and MOT renewal reminder service for UK motorists (not the DVLA itself but a complementary licensed service). MOT history API integration, DVLA VES (Vehicle Enquiry Service) API, DVSA MOT History API, and HMRC Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) data were the requirements. UK GDPR for vehicle and driver data, GDS-influenced service design, and WCAG 2.1 AA compliance were mandatory. Budget: £65,000.
Our Approach
DVLA VES and DVSA MOT API Integration
DVLA VES (Vehicle Enquiry Service)
API
registration plate → vehicle make, model, colour, fuel type, VED (vehicle tax) expiry date, MOT due date, and SORN status.
DVSA MOT History API
full MOT history (pass/fail, mileage at each test, advisory notices).
Combined
single registration plate input returns complete vehicle status.
API credentials
DVLA Developer Hub and DVSA API Key (separate registration for each).
Reminder schedule
- 2 months before VED expiry → email reminder + link to DVLA tax renewal. 6 weeks before MOT due → email reminder + garage booking link. 2 weeks before → SMS reminder (GOV.UK Notify).
- Post-expiry warning: day 1 after expiry → urgent email (driving without VED = £1,000 fine, driving without MOT invalidates insurance).
User preferences
opt-out per vehicle, notification channel preference.
UK GDPR Vehicle Registration Data
Vehicle registration is personal data (linked to vehicle keeper).
DVLA data
keeper address, name — not exposed in VES API (design choice: VES returns vehicle data, not keeper data — UK GDPR by design).
Service collects
email, mobile, registration plate — minimum necessary.
Legal basis
contract performance (providing the reminder service the user signed up for).
Right to erasure
- user can delete account and all associated vehicles.
- GDS-
Influenced Service Design
GOV.UK Design System components (not a GOV.UK service — a licensed third-party service).
Plain language
MOT reminder in plain English ("Your MOT expires on DATE — drive without a valid MOT and your insurance is invalid").
Accessibility
- WCAG 2.1 AA manual testing.
- Mobile-first: 68% of users access on mobile.
- Cross-browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — tested on iOS and Android.
The Results
Service live at 10 weeks, £58,000 — under budget.
Registered users: 84,000 in first year.
Reminders sent: 420,000 in first year.
VED lapse rate (users who received reminder vs. no reminder): 34% lower.
MOT lapse rate: 28% lower.
WCAG 2.1 AA: zero non-compliances.
UK GDPR audit: VES API data handling confirmed compliant by ICO pre-launch assessment.
App Store rating: 4.5/5.
“34% lower VED lapse rate for users who received our reminder versus no reminder. For DVLA, that means fewer uninsured vehicles on UK roads. 84,000 registered users in year 1 — all organic. The ICO pre-launch GDPR assessment gave us confidence to launch without legal risk." — CEO, UK Vehicle Services Digital Company (name withheld)”
Project Details
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