I-Finity offers direct API access to DVLA vehicle keeper database

Private landowners and owners of parking facilities rely on a raft of systems to manage operations of their sites. These systems include ones managing paid sessions, ticket purchasing processes and vehicle monitoring via automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

ANPR systems are used to issue parking charge notices (PCN) to vehicles if, for example, a driver does not pay or pay enough for the duration of their parking visit.

The parking industry is governed by strict compliance rules. Only authorised parking operators are allowed by the DVLA to have a connection to DVLA's vehicle keeper data. Previously, the only way to connect to data held by the DVLA was through an authorised third party called KADEO (Keeper at Date of Event).

Now an alternative approach is available.

I-Finity, a developer of custom application programming interface (API) integrations, has created an API integration which grants parking management firms using systems provided by Advanced Parking Technology (APT) almost immediate access to driver and vehicle details held by the DVLA.

Technology-wise, the KADOE connection did not utilise modern methods, making it slow. Sending and retrieving data was a two-day process. For the data to be sent back to APT, the process would happen again in reverse. This approach was not cost efficient time-wise and was also inflexible.

APT needed to optimise its data transfer process when connecting to the DVLA database. It wanted its suite of applications to have a seamless integration with other systems, platforms and hardware equipment like cameras and pay & display machines, to enable operational efficiency. This is why it turned to I-Finity,

DVLA provided a RESTful API, along with technical documentation, to allow for authorised direct integration. Russ Huntingdon said: “We worked closely with DVLA’s team during the development, testing, pre-deploy readiness and post-deployment quality assurance of the API integration.

“The technical documentation provided by the DVLA was comprehensive, and we had a positive experience of working with their team. This collaborative approach led to I-Finity having the integration ready for testing within just a couple of weeks.

“I-Finity was one of the first software development companies to complete a successful integration with the DVLA that is in use with authorised end customers within the parking industry.  This allows developers to scale operations efficiently by optimising client-server interactions.

“It also enables better integration with other platforms, apps, and tools, while allowing automation. Finally, it offers greater security for the exchange of data while enabling encryption support.

“APT’s customers who are authorised by the DVLA to access their data are now benefiting from this direct integration as it provides immediate access to keeper details.”