My groundbreaking new DVLA site

I'm not a web designer by trade, and working in the public sector my notions about the web are probably three years or so behind the rest of the internet. So, this is an opportunity for me to look deeply foolish. Here goes.

Here's the existing DVLA site at www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/ - 

interestingly, it's a microsite off the Department of Transport site, but the content pages exist on Directgov itself.

The DVLA site gives the following LHS navigation:

• Driver information
• Medical information »
• Vehicle information »
• Commercial services »
• Consultations »
• Recruitment »
• Freedom of information »
• Data release »

Then a further list when you go down a level, say, into 'Driver information' -

Driver information

Our drivers information can now be found under the Motoring section in Directgov. Directgov was created to provide all UK citizens easy access to public services in one place.  

Need a new or updated driving licence

How to apply for any type of photocard driving licence and how much it will cost

Change of address and name

How to use the Premium Checking Service

 

The links themselves go to pages of Directgov, where you immediately lose sight of navigation options and the other DVLA links:

 

In other words, the visitor is plunged into the Directgov problem. Quite a bizarre set up, but it reflects the business relationship between a supersite and its client organisations. 

The Government Digital Service (GDS) are looking to close departmental websites as well as Directgov itself. Here's the GOV.UK Beta version, which has minimal navigation, no DVLA logos and no landing page above it:

That individual page looks nice and clear. Does it improve DVLA's service to offer motoring information as atomised units rather than belonging to a hierarchy which visitors can easily grasp?

I expect the people from DVLA have an opinion. I'll see if I can get hold of any.