F-ing DVLA 😡😡😡

[GoodnightGrandma]

Applied for DS’s provisional on-line back in the summer. Money taken out, then nothing.
About 4 weeks ago I finally got to speak to someone after trying hundreds of times. She said we should have had a letter, she’d send another. Nothing.
Tried ringing again, ‘we’re really busy so push off’ message.
What can I do, I want to complain to someone who will listen 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[PurpleFadesToGreen]

My son applied for his provisional August 21, recieved it end of last week.

[rumblypumbly]

Dh applied for his provisional hgv licence and had it back 12 days later. Maybe that type of thing is being prioritised?

[Colliemayhem]

We did the application for DS’s provisional license online on the 10th November. Plugged in his NI number and passport details and used the passport photo which was shown to us to check we were happy with it. The license was sent out the next day and we received it last week!

[ColinTheKoala]

If it can be done online it is very quick. Also after passing tests as it is obviously an automated process.

I am glad ds got his provisional in 2019 as we thought he could apply online with passport details but they sent out a form. It wasn't a problem then, and only delayed things by a week or so, but if it had been this year he'd still be waiting.

[MistySkiesAfterRain]

I applied in May. Still waiting. For a replacement. Not had a copy since 2002. Could be another 20 years.

[Paranoidandroidmarvin]

@MistySkiesAfterRain we did ours last week. Didn’t have to send anything in. They sent us the new ones. Before we always had to send a ton of stuff in. This time it was all done on the internet.

[Adarajames]

Don’t know why they can’t work from home. I work for a large local authority, opposite end of the country to where I live and work from home, and we can access the whole LA system via secure virtual desktop on our own equipment, with double validation via smartphone apps.

Ok, they’d have to ship batches of forms to workers, but it would still be quicker than the current system seems to be!

[MintyCedric]

We've had DDs paperwork back and notification on tracker has changed to Licence Issued.

We applied in July.

[gaslady14]

Write to your MP

And they do reply to DMs on Twitter albeit unhelpfully

I agree OP, it's a shambles

[kickupafuss]

We applied for a provisional licence online at the end of September and have just received it this week. It says that there are no delays for online applications but that obviously isn't the case. Now we are struggling to find an instructor with availability. I tried to contact them so many times but couldn't get hold of anyone.

[AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair]

@Adarajames

Don’t know why they can’t work from home. I work for a large local authority, opposite end of the country to where I live and work from home, and we can access the whole LA system via secure virtual desktop on our own equipment, with double validation via smartphone apps.

Ok, they’d have to ship batches of forms to workers, but it would still be quicker than the current system seems to be!

I wonder if it's a security issue, it's rally valuable data for criminals, I wouldn't want my paperwork sitting around on someone's kitchen table for anyone to steal.

[littlemissminor]

OP I feel your pain, I sent my licence off for a name change in January and got it back on Monday!

[happinesscherries]

I sent mine in 3 months ago for renewal as online wouldn’t work. Didn’t record the paper reference so no way of checking it. Not heard a peep.

They also currently have my marriage certificate

[poorbuthappy]

We applied for dds provisional in sept using the paper form as her passport expired this year. And she didnt really want to use the photo from when she was 11. They've had the form the money and her birth certificate since the 3rd week.of sept with no end in sight.

[Dougieowner]

My wife had to reapply for her medical DL last October (2020), took 9-months to arrive!
Recently moved and my wife got her new DL in a week.
Due to the move I have to have my old green DL replaced with a photo one, so far they have had my (original) Birth Certificate for 2-months and I have still heard nothing (I included a paid Special Delivery next-day delivery envelope in with it to make sure my doc's were safe!).
As above, never managed to get through on the phone and the back-log page shows they are currently dealing with applications sent mid-Sept so it could be a while yet.
Trouble is we move house again in a couple of months and it is looking likely that if I do get my new license through in time (some hope!) it will have to be changed straight away.

[user1471530109]

Can I please encourage you to email your MP. I am also waiting for a medical 3yr renewal and extremely frustrated I've heard nothing. No confirmation of receipt. It's all very well saying I'm ok to drive if they have my application. But I have no way of knowing they have it!

My MP has been very helpful and took my driver's license number and says he will look into it for me. If all the posters on here did the same, surely parliament will take notice!

[Adarajames]

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair maybe, but we have access to full details of everyone in the LA, so not that different.

[averythinline]

user - same with medical here have been waiting 15months now...ridiculous took 2 hours to get through a couple of months ago and they sent a letter saying maybe covered by section 88 but cant hire a care or use as form of ID as out of date.....

[user1471530109]

OMG! It arrived today! The license! My MP said he would chase it for me about 10 days ago....I can't believe it!

There is no way that's a coincidence. On all these threads it's the medical ones that have the worse backlog.

Get on to your MPs! Mine is a v high profile one which I am sure made a difference too. I do appreciate that doesn't excuse the mess the DVLA are in. But it might help someone else on this thread

[JSL52]

It was on the radio yesterday.

[AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair]

[quote Adarajames]@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair maybe, but we have access to full details of everyone in the LA, so not that different.[/quote]
@Adarajames do you have people's identiy documents at your home? I find that really shocking and a big risk. How does your employer guard against theft and fraud?

[PanicBuyingSprouts]

OMG! It arrived today! The license! My MP said he would chase it for me about 10 days ago....I can't believe it!

There is no way that's a coincidence. On all these threads it's the medical ones that have the worse backlog.

I don't think it will be a coincidence either but glad you've got it. Just a shame that you had to wait so long and then get your MP involved before you got a response.

[Bobsyer]

[quote FlamingGoat]Heres the information on the dates they are processing.

My husband finally got his licence after 4 months. We are moving after Christmas and really don't want to do this all again.

www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update#processing-dates-for-paper-applications[/quote]
My change of address came back in less than a week so don't worry about that.

[Adarajames]

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair not original documents, no. But if they’ve provided copies of them then will be on their profile on the system so easy enough to use e details of you had a mind to (and were good enough at hiding your tracks on the intranet, which I’ve no idea how to do in case you were worrying! )

[NotBabiesForLong]

Anyone any closer to receiving their licence?