To be a bit annoyed by DVLA?

[BeeFreeForTea]

In a nutshell, I passed my test today and have to send my pass certificate off by post. All fine...

Except DVLA list two conflicting addresses...

Their website says send to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BN.

The back of my pass certificate says send to DVLA Swansea, SA99 1BJ.

So very similar but none the less different! Very concerning since I'm sending off very important documents, such as my beloved birth certificate etc.

AIBU to think they should just state one address on both website and paper?

Congratulations.

I would send by recorded post to address on pass cert. Ask them to return by the same method.

Thank you Ican

Hopefully they'll return if not the correct address. I've put a return address on the back. Do Royal Mail return to that address if they can't locate the recipient or it doesn't exist?

Yes, Royal Mail will return to sender if you have supplied an address. In my experience, DVLA arebusually pretty good and if our does go to the wrong dept, they will pass it to the correct one. Just make sure you take copies of your stuff before you send it off, or even better get certified copies from the post office and keep hold of your originals.

Whichever address you put on it, it will end up at the humongous dvla office in Swansea, I would not worry too much, they only have one building, and all the postmen in Swansea know where it is.

If you just wrote DVLA Swansea on it it would still get there.

This is unnecessary anxiety over a one letter difference in postcode. Both postcodes are probably correct, the building I work in has two different postcodes which basically determine which reception in the building post goes to.

All the post codes are actually the same address. The post code is just to seperate them into different departments etc I think.

As a couple of people have already said, the postcode is irrelevant, it will get there and it will get to the correct department.

Why are you having to send anything off?

My examiner took my details and my provisional licence from me when he left me with my instructor and I decided my full licence in the post a week later. I didn't need to do anything and they didn't have any documents to send on my behalf.

I passed in December so surely it can't of changed much since then!

Oh, and congratulations btw - it really is true what they say about beginning to learn AFTER you've passed!

Congratulations on passing!!!!
It will be for the same building. My work has 2 different post codes and 2 differ PB box addresses all still end up in the same post room.
Also “beloved birth certificate” amused me a lot

*I received my full licence.. I didn't decide on it 🤣

Yeah I never had to send anything off either??? Are you sure about this OP?

Congratulations by the way! Isn't it one of the best feelings ever?! (Other than birth of your child of course😉)

For me, it was soon dampened when I discovered that the insurance on my car (which I'd already bought and had provisional insurance on) would be going UP now that I'd passed! 🤨🧐🙄

Look at the address on street view. It’s the same building....

The dvla building is SO massive it may well have multiple postcodes. I'm sure it'll get there!

All the post codes are actually the same address. The post code is just to seperate them into different departments etc I think.

This is what happens. 2 of my DNephs have worked at DVLA at some point.

'Beloved birth certificate' eeeh god that made me laugh OP! mines just a piece of paper, have I been short changed?

Congrats on passing your test! 😊

You only need to send stuff off if you have an old paper licence.

For me, it was soon dampened when I discovered that the insurance on my car (which I'd already bought and had provisional insurance on) would be going UP now that I'd passed! 🤨🧐🙄

On account of you having zero experience but being able to drive completely alone. Insurance is based on risk. Passing your test increased the risk. It’s extremely well documented.

You do have to send stuff off in my case (change of address and name).

My birth certificate is the one my mum was given (the first ever original), so it is precious? And old

I think it's the first postcode for change of name

Just get a replacement birth certificate and send that off if you're that bothered.

Former DVLA employee here. If it goes to the wrong postcode they will pass it to the correct team, it might delay a little that's all. If you are worried about your documents, you could perhaps send them a self-addressed postage paid recorded delivery envelope with the application? They should then use that to return your documents - they certainly used to anyway.