ADLV Appoints Kevin Curtis as New Chairman as Association Sets Out Next Phase
The Association for Driving Licence Verification (ADLV) has announced the election of Kevin Curtis as its new Chairman, as the Association looks towards the next phase of its development with an increased focus on data security, accuracy and the modernisation of driving licence verification services.
Kevin Curtis, Director of Driving Monitor, has served continuously on the ADLV Board since its formation in 2014 and is the remaining founding member of the Association’s Board. Having served as Technical Director throughout that period, Kevin will formally take up the role of Chairman on 5th October 2026.
During his time as Technical Director, Kevin has worked extensively with the DVLA and ADLV members on the technical and operational issues surrounding commercial access to driving licence data and the development of digital licence checking services.
Commenting on his appointment, Kevin said:
“It’s a real privilege to have been elected Chairman of the ADLV, particularly having been involved with the Association since we first formed back in 2014.
“A lot has changed in those 12 years. The way businesses access and use driver data has evolved considerably, technology has moved forward and expectations around data security and compliance are quite rightly much higher. I think this gives us a great opportunity to look at the next phase of ADLV and how we continue to make the Association relevant and valuable to our members and the wider industry.
“One area I’m particularly keen for us to focus on is raising the bar around data security and responsible access to driver data. Driving licence information is sensitive personal data and organisations accessing it on behalf of businesses have a responsibility to ensure that the identity of the driver, their consent and the subsequent handling of their data are robust.
“As an industry, we should continually challenge ourselves on whether the safeguards we have in place are good enough. ADLV is well placed to help establish and promote those standards and to give businesses confidence that when they use an ADLV member, their drivers’ data is being handled responsibly.”
Kevin also wants the Association to take a more active role in representing members on the quality, accuracy and efficiency of the services and data provided by the DVLA.
He continued:
“ADLV has always enjoyed a constructive working relationship with the DVLA and I want that to continue. But part of being a credible industry association is also being prepared to challenge things constructively when we believe they can be improved.
“Our members and their customers make important compliance and road-safety decisions using DVLA data, so the accuracy, timeliness and integrity of that data really matters. Where members identify recurring data-quality issues, ADLV should be capable of bringing that evidence together and working with DVLA to understand and resolve the underlying problem.
“There are also processes that simply haven’t kept pace with the technology now available to us. Foreign driving licence checking is an obvious example, where there is an opportunity to look at whether cumbersome manual and paper-based processes can ultimately be replaced by a secure digital channel.
“I’d also like us to look at the wider licence-checking model – from the way services are delivered through to identity verification, consent and the mechanisms used to access driver records. There are areas where ADLV can bring its members together, establish what good practice should look like and then have meaningful, evidence-based conversations with DVLA about how those services develop.”
A further priority for the Association will be increasing participation from ADLV members and establishing a clearer programme of tangible objectives.
Kevin added:
“I don’t want this to be about just the Board’s vision for ADLV. We have a membership containing a huge amount of knowledge and experience and we should be making much better use of that.
“Rather than simply meeting periodically and talking about what’s happening in the industry, I’d like us to agree a small number of tangible priorities each year and give members the opportunity to get directly involved in delivering them.
“That could mean small working groups looking at data security, DVLA processes, foreign licence checking, data accuracy or other issues that our members tell us matter to them.
“Ultimately, I want ADLV membership to mean something. It should represent high standards, responsible use of driver data and a genuine commitment to improving compliance and road safety. If we can strengthen that while also becoming a more effective collective voice for our members, I think we have an exciting few years ahead of us.”
The ADLV will now consult with its membership on priorities for the coming year, including opportunities for members to participate in specific working groups and initiatives.
