DVLA Swansea 

The DVLC in Swansea is how technically the name of the actual enormous concrete edifice which houses the DVLA. DVLC stands for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre and was the former title of the DVLA before the department was termed for agency.

Formation

In 1965, the Government put forward plans to centralise the system of vehicle registration since the numbers of vehicles and drivers were increasing dramatically. In 1974, the DVLC and the LVLO network (Local Vehicle Licensing Offices) began operating. The Centre was responsible for maintaining the vehicle record, issuing driving licences, vehicle registration documents etc.

The old red book driving licence (do you remember it?) was replaced by the computer produced document. By the way, reflective number plates became mandatory.

In 1984 a new computer system was installed at DVLC, providing a link between Swansea and the local department of transport offices which had been reduced from 81 to 53.

In 1988, it was recommended that all the executive functions of government should be carried out by executive agencies in the interests of efficiency. Subsequently, DVLC became such an agency, being re-named DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Agency).

I wonder if the German inventor, Karl Benz, imagined all the red-tape and legislation which would become necessary because of his invention of the first petrol driven motor car in 1888. Transport laws have poured off the statue books ever since - how about this early one that stated that all cars had to have a crew of three which included someone to walk in front with a warning red flag for pedestrians and other traffic (oh - and to calm nervous horses).

More History (For Those Interested)

In 1903, the first driving licence was introduced, costing five shillings (around 25p), valid for one year and awarded to anyone who applied with no test either for driving ability or medical fitness required. In 1910, the dreaded road fund licensing is introduced.

Driving tests were not made compulsory until 1935 when they cost 7s - 6d (37.5p) - a dog licence costing around that price in 1952, but interestingly, the driving test was suspended during that year of 1939 to 1945.