Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant requested information from the DVLA relating to Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002. The DVLA sought to rely on section 12 of the Act in relation to some information requested and withheld other information relevant to the request by virtue of section 42 of the Act. The Commissioner finds that the DVLA was entitled to rely on section 12 and that it had correctly applied the section 42 exemption in relation to the withheld information relating to legal advice. The Commissioner finds that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. However the Commissioner finds that the DVLA breached section 16(1) as it failed to provide reasonable advice and assistance in relation to narrowing down the request. The Commissioner also finds that the DVLA breached section 17(5) of the Act by failing to provide the complainant with an adequate refusal notice. Information Tribunal appeal number EA/2009/0097 has been dismissed.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 12 - Complaint Not upheld, FOI 16 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 42 - Complaint Not upheld