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>>Then tell me, where is this wonderful centralized database that tells me who owns which car? Uhm, here in UK DVLA holds it? Anyone can access it too, you can

>>Then tell me, where is this wonderful centralized database that tells me who owns which car? Uhm, here in UK DVLA holds it? Anyone can access it too, you can just check the entire car history including its tax payments as well as technical inspections online. No Blockchain needed. >>because you have the guarantee that no-one can fake it I'd like you to explain why you think that's true. If you assume an external authority is entering details into the blockchain, how is that different to the exact same authority entering details into the systems that we have currently?

kikimora 5y ago
How much taxpayers money goes into maintaining this database? Not sayin blockchain is a better solution but it can replace 99% of UK DVLA staff with an algorithm.
- gambiting 5y ago
  How exactly? Please explain. In particular how would using blockchain instead of a regular database replace 99% of the staff? What algorithm do you mean? What kind?
  - kikimora 5y ago
    Last time I bought a car the process involved multiple people that was there only because of a centralized database. First of all I need a contract with a dealership, so there is a lawyer involved. Then I pay for a car (cashier) take my contract and go to a special road police department that exists only to register car ownership transfers. There I have one guy that takes my contract, another who will check it and fill-in data into the centralized database. So we are looking at least 3-4 people who are there only to review documents and authorize update to a centralized database. Instead of this I could have pay to a smart contract and get my car ownership record in exchange. No clerks or lawyers involved. I cannot imagine how you implement this scenario as an API on top of a centralized database.
    - gambiting 5y ago
      I don't know where you live, but in UK it's even easier than what you described. When you buy a car it's just registered online, takes 5 minutes to do. No actual in-person anything involved. You get a PDF confirming your registration, the dealership prints the plate for you right there and then, nearly every garage has a machine for priniting them. You stick it on your car, drive off, done. The registration document arrives in post 1-2 weeks later, but you don't really need it for much as it's not proof of ownership anyway, it's just for your records. Literally nothing about buying a car involves actual people reviewing anything. It's all automated, it's all online. So I'd still like you to explain how exactly are you going to get rid of 99% of DVLA's staff and what algorithm exactly allows for that when using NFTs/blockchain. >>First of all I need a contract with a dealership, so there is a lawyer involved Why? I bought several new cars in the past, you read the documents, sign them, the car is yours. Why involve a lawyer? What for?
      - kikimora 5y ago
        What you describe seems way more automated than what we have today in Russia. Still… > Literally nothing about buying a car involves actual people reviewing anything. It's all automated, it's all online. Who gives dealer access and rights to update government database? I would not be surprised if the dealer does not have access but update their own system and then submit documents to an agency which checks them and modifies the database. DVLA API is documented online and unless they have another undocumented endpoints I don’t see any way to register a vehicle with it. Car registration process is documented here - https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/new-registrations https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/new-registrations This source suggests registration forms have to be sent by mail! https://dvlacheck.uk/online-forms/ https://dvlacheck.uk/online-forms/ > Although you can download some forms online, you will still need to return them via post. This is because the forms may ask for sensitive information or require that a passport photo be affixed to the application. Summing up - it seems what you experienced at the dealer is a sugarcoating for the same old paper based registration process that requires countless clerks.
      - CRConrad 5y ago
        Yo, @gambiting: See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30133371 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30133371

kikimora 5y ago

How much taxpayers money goes into maintaining this database? Not sayin blockchain is a better solution but it can replace 99% of UK DVLA staff with an algorithm.

gambiting 5y ago
How exactly? Please explain. In particular how would using blockchain instead of a regular database replace 99% of the staff? What algorithm do you mean? What kind?
- kikimora 5y ago
  Last time I bought a car the process involved multiple people that was there only because of a centralized database. First of all I need a contract with a dealership, so there is a lawyer involved. Then I pay for a car (cashier) take my contract and go to a special road police department that exists only to register car ownership transfers. There I have one guy that takes my contract, another who will check it and fill-in data into the centralized database. So we are looking at least 3-4 people who are there only to review documents and authorize update to a centralized database. Instead of this I could have pay to a smart contract and get my car ownership record in exchange. No clerks or lawyers involved. I cannot imagine how you implement this scenario as an API on top of a centralized database.
  - gambiting 5y ago
    I don't know where you live, but in UK it's even easier than what you described. When you buy a car it's just registered online, takes 5 minutes to do. No actual in-person anything involved. You get a PDF confirming your registration, the dealership prints the plate for you right there and then, nearly every garage has a machine for priniting them. You stick it on your car, drive off, done. The registration document arrives in post 1-2 weeks later, but you don't really need it for much as it's not proof of ownership anyway, it's just for your records. Literally nothing about buying a car involves actual people reviewing anything. It's all automated, it's all online. So I'd still like you to explain how exactly are you going to get rid of 99% of DVLA's staff and what algorithm exactly allows for that when using NFTs/blockchain. >>First of all I need a contract with a dealership, so there is a lawyer involved Why? I bought several new cars in the past, you read the documents, sign them, the car is yours. Why involve a lawyer? What for?
    - kikimora 5y ago
      What you describe seems way more automated than what we have today in Russia. Still… > Literally nothing about buying a car involves actual people reviewing anything. It's all automated, it's all online. Who gives dealer access and rights to update government database? I would not be surprised if the dealer does not have access but update their own system and then submit documents to an agency which checks them and modifies the database. DVLA API is documented online and unless they have another undocumented endpoints I don’t see any way to register a vehicle with it. Car registration process is documented here - https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/new-registrations https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/new-registrations This source suggests registration forms have to be sent by mail! https://dvlacheck.uk/online-forms/ https://dvlacheck.uk/online-forms/ > Although you can download some forms online, you will still need to return them via post. This is because the forms may ask for sensitive information or require that a passport photo be affixed to the application. Summing up - it seems what you experienced at the dealer is a sugarcoating for the same old paper based registration process that requires countless clerks.
    - CRConrad 5y ago
      Yo, @gambiting: See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30133371 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30133371