Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Casework & Specialist Advice
D16
DVLA
Longview Road
Swansea
SA6 7JL
Telephone
01792 788577
Fax
01792 384515
Mr Norman Hinks
Textphone
Email
[email address]
Email:
Website
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring
[FOI #12619 email]
Your Ref
Our Ref
Date:
5 June 2009
Dear Mr Hinks
Thank you for your request for information on the common law right to travel through the
Freedom of Information portal. It has been passed to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency (DVLA) for reply and is being dealt with as part of the day to day business at the
Agency.
I acknowledge that the common law right to travel still exists. However, if the travelling is to
be done in/on a mechanically propelled vehicle on a public road, the vehicle must be
registered and licensed.
The Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 requires vehicles to be taxed unless they are
properly declared as being used or kept off-road (‘a Statutory Off Road Notification’). The
tax disc must be properly displayed on the vehicle and the vehicle must be properly registered
with the DVLA. Also, the driver must have valid motor insurance and small vehicles over
three years old must have a valid MoT certificate.
In addition, the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires all drivers to hold a driving licence, which is
valid and appropriate for the class or category of vehicle in order to drive legally on UK
roads. Those holding valid driving licences issued outside Great Britain may be permitted to
drive here depending on the circumstances.
Further information on how to ensure that you may drive legally in on UK roads and on
obtaining the necessary documents to do so can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/motoring.
Yours sincerely
[Sent unsigned via Email]
Beverly Williams
Casework & Specialist Advice

---