§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what circumstances DVLA release information concerning the ownership of vehicles to persons other than those with specific authorisation in law. [93077]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 26 July 1999]: DVLA records vehicle keeper information, not vehicle ownership. The Secretary of State has powers, which are delegated to DVLA, to disclose vehicle keeper information to the police, local authorities, and to anyone who can demonstrate "reasonable cause". The term is not defined in law and each request is considered on merit.
Most requests originate from insurance companies to investigate claims or, for example, to trace a driver who has failed to stop following an accident.