The problem is teething problems with the new system introduced by the DVLA for drivers to access or share their driving licence information – with figures from licence checking and monitoring company Licencecheck revealing that 3.8% of drivers record requests were initially blocked, many for security reasons.
"Security or withheld record issues have existed for some time and they are unlikely to go away." comments Richard Brown, managing director of Licencecheck.
"We see this every day when we're checking licences on behalf of our clients," he continues.
"So-called stop-markers include an ongoing open case, an investigation on the record, DVLA awaiting a response from the driver and sensitive issues."
Brown suggests that other reasons for denial of access include ongoing police investigations regarding the driver and/or the licence.
"If the new service suffers these same restrictions, it's no wonder that this issue is being felt on a much broader scale," states Brown.
While welcoming the abolition of the counterpart – which, says Brown, means no-one can now get away with false documents – he worries that the new system has been rushed.
"Many people haven't been able to access the system since it launched... If a huge number of drivers are blocked from accessing or sharing their information ... it will be cause chaos, particularly as car hire companies begin their busiest months."
