I agree Dave , its case of caveat emptor , I thought just as you do but they say they will send a completed copy to you and they didn't in my case .
I have spoken to my bank fraud people and they say they are in breach of contract and they will try to get me a refund on that basis.
Once you actually use the DVLC website and complete the forms it has the same corrective links as this one so it is a charge for nothing and is of no advantage.
The bank people tell me there is a similar scam in the passport system ,both scams are dangerous from the personal detail point of view. . Its not till the documentation promised does not arrive and u use the dvla site to get your renewal that you twig that u have paid for nothing .How
many of us are up to speed on renewing licences and passports?