Data linkage is one of the key features of Understanding Society, allowing researchers to explore features of life in the UK in greater depth. Data can only be linked if Understanding Society participants give their informed consent.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency DVLA linkage
A new dataset is now available to researchers, with linkage between Understanding Society and DVLA data.
The DVLA administrative data contain vehicle statistics such as date of manufacture, registration, acquisition and loss, engine information, model, CO2 emissions etc. However, these administrative data lack information on related behaviours, attitudes and beliefs, relationships and family circumstances, economic and health statuses, and life events, which only survey data can supply.
The combined Understanding Society and DVLA data will allow analysis of car ownership and use in the context of detailed individual, family, and neighbourhood-level information. It will provide a much wider scope for robust and policy relevant analysis than is currently possible with these datasets in isolation.
The linked DVLA dataset contains data for vehicles that Understanding Society respondents have specifically identified as having access to. Consent was asked of individuals aged 16 or older in all countries of the UK who had a full UK driving licence, had access to a car or van for personal use, and had at least one car or van for personal use registered in the UK.
Access the data
The linked data is available from the UK Data Service under an End User Licence agreement; available to researchers registered with the UK Data Service.
DVLA variables
To help researchers make the best use of the dataset, you can find DVLA variables and the User Guide on our website.
Transport and environment
