Data Protection Act

[Zeddy]

Why are the DVLA allowed to print the name and address of the previous owner of a vehicle when it passes to the next owner?
Surely it should be retained in their records and only given out in circumstances where it must be known e.g. fraud investigation, etc?

[Zeddy]

On the V5 document is what I meant to say...

[johnny37]

Valid point, I suspect it may contravene the Data Protection Act. Try and get information like this from anyone else and you will hit a brick wall. My library will not even let me renew my wifes library books over the phone! And why do DVLA give out details to b******s like clamping companies? Surely that is against the Data Protection Act.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Zeddy, the short answer to your request is that the DPA is not nearly as restrictive as most people think.

In the specific instance you're talking about, it's the V5 form. This records the name of the previous registered owner because it protects you, by giving you details that you can verify to ensure you're not be defrauded or otherwise cheated. Under Section 29 of the DPA, disclosure of information is permitted for the purposes of preventing crime.

As for Johnny's point, I believe that there is a review of this practice, and it has been condemned in the House of Commons. The DPA specifically allows those with a 'reasonable cause' to access information under certain circumstances, but it appears the DVLA is taking an overly liberal view of what 'reasonable cause' might entail. The Information Commissioner is currently reviewing the DVLA's practices in this regard, but I don't believe there's likely to be any sort of judgement for a while.

[Zeddy]

Thanks, Waldo.