Post Office (PO) and PayPoint are fighting to win a contract to issue international driving permits in their stores.

Last month, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) closed applications for a new over-the-counter provider of international driving permits to UK and Northern Ireland driving licence holders. It expects the new contract to commence on 1 April 2024 for three years, with the holder to issue between 200,000 to 300,000 permits annually.

PO currently holds the existing contract to provide DVLA services in branches until March next year. The firm notably had this contract extended by 12 months, following fears the service would be scrapped after it accused the DVLA of not agreeing to provide “fair” remuneration.”

Both PayPoint and PO confirmed to Retail Express they had entered the tender process.

PayPoint chief executive Nick Wiles said: “It’s much more appropriate for the DVLA to talk about what their plans are. We were delighted to be part of that tender and we hope the DVLA would like to work with us. We think we’re really innovative partners and we brought some interesting ideas to the conversation and we hope they want to work with us.”

A PO spokesperson added: “We currently hold the contract to provide International Driving Permits over the counter up to March 2024 and were pleased to take part in a Market Engagement Event on 27 July for the contract post March. We are continuing to engage with the procurement process.”

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