DVLA - any idea how to get them to help?

[Ridingoutonahorse]

To set the scene we as a family have had a really tough year, life limiting illness, operations, house moves……..

I sent my DD provisional licence off to the DVLA to get it updated for a new address. I applied online the same as I did for DH and mine but for some reason had to send DD existing licence back to them which I didn’t for ours.

Anyway her driving test is booked for Sept so I’ve been ringing for days to chase it, after over 50 attempts at getting through on the phone I finally managed to speak to someone today.

That person was able to acknowledge that the DVLA have received her licence but have done nothing in terms of processing it, they think it’s unlikely they’ll have done anything by late Sept when her test is so their advice is to rebook her test.

On top of everything else DD is currently shut in her room with Covid, I honestly don’t want to break this news to her as passing her test is all she’s been focussed on through some pretty tough times.

After some Googling I realise IWBU to send the licence off and expect the DVLA to actually do something with it but now I have does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to get them to deal with it?

My son’s provisional arrived last week. I applied in April.

I had to send mine off for address change after they asked for more information after an online renewal which should have taken a couple of days. Nothing for ages. When I called them they said they pull applications at random ‘for security’ to fill in forms which then turns them into a paper application and there’s nothing they can do.

It has delayed me getting a dbs check as it’s the main way I can prove ID and address.

Thankfully my passport came back and I scrabbled around to find enough other ID to meet the requirements but it’s hard when you aren’t allowed the utility bills in your name! (Not abuse/just the place I live)

It’s a disgrace. When I asked the woman on the phone why it wasn’t publicised that you can send critical worker applications to a different place she said ‘we don’t make it public or everyone will post things to him’ 🙄 which I guess is fair enough but fuck all use for me who may lose my NHS job if I can’t get a DBS check!

Why do you have to apply with a form instead of doing it online? Apologies if you've already said upthread.

My dd applied for her provisional license in March and received it two weeks ago - so 5 months later. I wouldn't hold your breath about getting your dd's license back any time soon.

@3Br1tnee

Why do you have to apply with a form instead of doing it online? Apologies if you've already said upthread.

You can apply online but if you’re passport photo isn’t up to date, or they want additional info then they send you a paper form. The delay is in processing the forms. Covid, strikes who knows.

It doesn’t sound like there is anything you can do. The whole system is a shambles.

My dd failed her test last week. Test dates are released on a Monday for 24 weeks in advance. I got one for February 1st by booking it at 5am on Monday. I looked at midnight but there weren’t any then.

Then you have to get one of the apps that look for cancellations to try and get an earlier date.

It’s an absolute nightmare of a system. I found out yesterday that my test centre only does tests until 1:30. So they are only working at half capacity despite the massive backlog.

My mum is waiting too. She turned 70 last year and it was extended to next month but she sent it off ages ago and still waiting. Like you they can tell her they have it but nothing else.

@3Br1tnee if you don't have a passport you cannot apply online. If you can apply online for some applications they then require additional information or they cannot use your passport photo. They then send a paper form in the post. This then goes in the same backlog as the paper applications. You are in the minority in getting yours so quickly.

The whole thing just beggars belief, it’s just not fit for purpose!

We had a V5 through for a car we'd bought within about 5 days last week.

We've been waiting for a change of plate on a historic vehicle for about 2 months now so no idea when that will be sorted out, but it means we've missed the boat really for selling it this year now.

Ok thanks, mine was a replacement.