Ten jobs at the Oxford branch of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are under a cloud after the Government last night unveiled plans to close its regional offices.

A consultation process has started with staff at the branch in Cambridge Terrace with officials wanting to close all 39 offices in the country by the end of 2013.

The plans could deliver savings of about £28m a year but ministers insist the plan is not about saving money but offering a better service to motorists.

Roads minister Mike Penning said: “This is a major step change which will make dealing with the DVLA easier and quicker for motorists and businesses.

“Centralising the DVLA's services is the first crucial step towards making more of its transactions available online, allowing people to deal with the DVLA at their chosen time and place. This will mean quicker turnarounds and meet our customers' growing needs.”

Under the Government proposals, the work done at the centres will be centralised at the DVLA's headquarters in Swansea, South Wales.

The regional offices carry out a range of administrative functions such as arranging trade plates for garages, vehicle inspections and personalised registration mark transfers. A total of 1,213 staff are potentially affected by the proposed office closures.