A secure, API-first network for UK vehicle telemetry.
VDCN is designed as a virtual, cloud-native national network that securely connects vehicle data providers with public bodies and authorised mobility services. Everything is API-driven, encrypted and auditable.
How the VDCN network works.
From vehicle to data provider
Vehicles send telemetry (mileage, odometer readings, trip summaries and charging events) to OEM backends or approved data aggregators using their existing connectivity.
Secure integration to VDCN
Providers connect to VDCN over authenticated, encrypted APIs. Data is validated, normalised and signed, creating a standard, tamper-resistant record.
Charging & policy application
VDCN applies tariffs and policy rules defined by national and local authorities, generating charges per trip, per period or per zone as required.
Distribution to public bodies
Verified records and billing data are made available to DVLA, Treasuries, authorities and authorised services through secure interfaces and export processes.
Architecture at a glance.
Under the hood, VDCN is a set of interoperable services rather than a monolith, designed to scale and evolve with new policy and technology requirements.
API integration layer
A dedicated integration layer authenticates OEMs and data aggregators, handles throttling and error handling, and exposes clear APIs for telemetry submissions.
Telemetry ingestion pipeline
Streams incoming data into a secure processing pipeline, performing validation, deduplication and fraud-detection controls before records are stored.
Usage & charging engines
Calculates per-vehicle and per-keeper usage, applies tariffs and rules, and generates itemised charges ready for billing and export to public systems.
Tariffs & rules service
Provides central control over what is charged, when and to whom. National and local bodies can define tariffs and rules, which are versioned and auditable.
Billing export engine
Produces DVLA-ready billing records with clear links between vehicles, keepers, periods, charges and any associated disputes or adjustments.
Security by design. Privacy by default.
- All telemetry is transported over encrypted channels and stored with strong cryptographic controls.
- Access is governed by strict role-based access controls and fully audited.
- Personal data is processed under UK data protection law, with clear retention limits.
- Where possible, planning and research data is aggregated or anonymised.
- Drivers can see how data is used via the Keeper Portal and exercise rights where applicable.
VDCN’s security model assumes that telemetry about vehicle movement is sensitive. The network is built to minimise unnecessary access, limit retention and provide transparent logging so that public bodies can rely on the data without compromising citizens' privacy.
National scale, local flexibility.
VDCN is designed to support UK-wide coverage while allowing regional and local differentiation in how tariffs and rules are applied.
National base tariffs
Central government can define base tariffs and policies that apply across the country, supporting consistent revenue streams and simpler communication.
Local & regional schemes
City regions and authorities can add congestion, clean-air or regional pricing schemes layered on top of national rules, all implemented via the same backbone.
Pilots and phased rollout
The platform supports pilots in specific regions or vehicle classes, enabling real-world testing of new charging approaches before national adoption.