Don't be Left Stranded by the New Car Hire Law

Tony_

kwmlondon wrote: »

I just got this from the page for DVLA Driver Licensing Enquiries
"phone 0913 232 9010

Calls cost £1.53p per call plus £1.53p per minute."

Please go to Hertz and try to get them to make a premium rate call from their phone. They will tell you to use your mobile or go to a payphone.

By all means use that phone number. While you are wasting your money ringing premium rate numbers that are NOT the DVLA telephone numbers, i'll ring 0300 790 6801 which is the correct telephone number for the DVLA.

That premium rate number belongs to Smashbox Marketing Ltd.

AdrianC

That premium number only appears to be on two web pages.
http://www.connectservicesuk.co.uk/dvla-contact/
and
http://www.phone-assist.co.uk/dvla-contact/
...both of which are quite clear that they aren't "affiliated", and that the number is for "our" services and not "the Gov't dept you connect to".

In other words, somebody's being very gullible indeed. Or massively disingenuous.

poppasmurf_bewdley

So it's just another money making scam to get people to ring a premium rate number when they can easily ring an 03 number for free or the cost of a few pence.

fivetide

kwmlondon wrote: »

Yes, car companies will get your information from the DVLA but they can't just dial in for this - only the police can do that.

Not strictly true either.


I made an insurance claim once, they did a conference call with the DVLA to double check I hadn't lied about any points (I hadn't of course). They called the DVLA and explained. I had to confirm on the line it was ok to release the information so there are ways around it.

Rover_Driver

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

So it's just another money making scam to get people to ring a premium rate number when they can easily ring an 03 number for free or the cost of a few pence.

Exactly, I think the OP has misunderstood. Calls to 0913 232 9010 are nothing to do with the DVLA, it is just a directory enquiry service. They will charge you £1.53 to call, plus £1.53 per minute, for as long as they can keep you on the line - just to give you the number for the DVLA, which is at the normal 01/02/03 rate.

Johno100

The OP has been asked on a couple of occasions, and has failed to answer, why the person intending to hire the vehicle can't just provide their National Insurance details along with their licence and other details and the rental company can check online with DVLA through the existing portal? No premium or standard rate calls and no 'magic' code.

AdrianC

Rover_Driver wrote: »

Exactly, I think the OP has misunderstood. Calls to 0913 232 9010 are nothing to do with the DVLA, it is just a directory enquiry service. They will charge you £1.53 to call, plus £1.53 per minute, for as long as they can keep you on the line - just to give you the number for the DVLA, which is at the normal 01/02/03 rate.

Even more insidious than that, I think.

You ring the 0913 premium number, and that is automagically forwarded to the DVLA's real number, charging you for the duration of the call...

kwmlondon

fivetide wrote: »

Not strictly true either.


I made an insurance claim once, they did a conference call with the DVLA to double check I hadn't lied about any points (I hadn't of course). They called the DVLA and explained. I had to confirm on the line it was ok to release the information so there are ways around it.

Yup. I did this with my zipcar membership. They set up a conference call and the DVLA asks you to answer some security questions - the hire company cannot have your license details without your permission, and they need to verify this.

The hire company can't call the DVLA because the DVLA won't give them your license details unless you're on the line too. What may end up happening is that Hertz or Europcar will call the DVLA and then pass the phone to you to verify your agreement to share information, and then take the phone back to get your license details. However, two issues: first, will the DVLA have enough people to cope with all these calls, and how long will it take you to get a car when everyone at the hire desk is trying to phone the DVLA? Second, what if you want to hire a car early in the morning or on a Sunday or bank holiday when there's nobody at the DVLA?

I apologise about the premium rate call, I got caught out by that - mea culpa.

These things may be sorted out and a decent process could be put in place that is easy and quick and efficient, but my suspicion is that the demise of the paper part of the license will cause the first couple of weeks to be very hassly if you're hiring a car.

I'm due to rent cars a few times this summer and I'll just try to get everything sorted out before I get to the desk (would you argue with this?) and just add this to the list of things I need to consider before turning up, along with having ID and my glasses! I'll also allow a bit more time in case there's an issue verifying my license, again, not huge scaremongering really?

PasturesNew

Just nick one, no checks or codes required. Very MSE.

Rover_Driver

kwmlondon wrote: »

They set up a conference call and the DVLA asks you to answer some security questions

That what the hire companies can do now, or pass you the phone to answer the questions, same as insurance companies.


They will also have electronic DVLA access when the new system is introduced.