The DVLA’s transition to paperless driving licences was met with complaints of delays and problems with its online system on its launch day.
As of 8 June, the paper counterpart of the UK driving licence became exempt, so that anyone wishing to check a licence now has to do so using an online system.
The BVRLA said it was contacted by members who informed them of severe delays in vehicle rental branches, with staff struggling to use DVLA’s checking system.
BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: "Replacing paper forms with digital services is a great idea, but the government has gone about this the wrong way by rushing the process and not giving enough warning to motorists.”
A spokeswoman for the DVLA confirmed to Commercialmotor.com that website users had experienced slow response times.
Others took to Twitter to express their frustration at the day’s failings. One user, @natcook678, tweeted: “Dvla your site is down, beyond frustrating, can't get hire car approved. Amateurs.”
Earlier this week commercialmotor.com reported that operators appeared unprepared for the changeover, with 67% of people involved in a poll said they still rely on checking the paper counterpart.
The poll, conducted by CM and Driver Hire, found that DVLA’s online checking system was the most popular option, with 42% of participants planning to use it following the abolition of paper licences.
DVLA had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
