Friday 06 November 2015
Environment response to Guernsey Press media query
Media Enquiry from Guernsey Press:
Last week Environment helpfully sent me details about how the department is working to sort out registrations on scrapped cars. Following the story in today's paper, the local motor trades association has said it is also concerned, as it was vital to know how many cars are in the island, when formulating the transport strategy.
The GMTA also said there was a system called Vortex being developed, but it seemed to have stalled.
Can you find out some details about Vortex and what it would have done, as well as how much was spent developing it and what has happened to the project?
Environment Department Response:
Driving Licence holders with ID approved licences who have set up a user account are currently able to view their driving and vehicle licensing details online and can also book theory and practical driving tests. This was the first stage of the VORTEX (Vehicle Online Taxation and Exchange) project. Associating an unique identifier to the driving licences and connecting that to vehicles and permits held by that individual is the enabler to allow other online services to be provided. The Environment Department has always intended to extend the range of services that it provides its customers in an online environment and has previously discussed the provision on online vehicle registration facilities with registered dealers.
However, none of this will make any difference to the historical database of vehicles on our register which are no longer in circulation. These vehicles will most likely have been broken up, destroyed or exported many years ago but without informing the Department. When submitting its Integrated Transport Strategy to the States in 2014 the Department highlighted the changes that had taken place since annual motor tax was abolished in 2008 and provided details of the likely numbers of vehicles in actual circulation on Island roads. Since 2012 the Department has been contacting registered keepers of vehicles that were no longer being taxed prior to the abolition of motor tax in 2008 and, so far, has removed several thousand vehicles from the data base.
Further improvements to online customer services through our VORTEX project are expected to be made during 2016 and will allow drivers to undertake a range of activities, including exchanging vehicle ownership, exchanging registration marks, notify changes of address and request duplicate vehicle registration and driving licence documents.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
