A DVLA question

[Pinkorchide]

Hi, not an AIBU but posting here for traffic, wondered if anyone else is having trouble getting through to DVLA, I sent my licence and application form off for its 10 year renewal a month ago and have heard nothing back. I know they received it because I have proof of delivery with signature. It’s impossible to phone them as I just get their automated message and then am cut off. Other option is to write them a letter which they probably won’t respond to either!

You can look up what applications (by date received) they're currently working on here (click on "processing dates for paper applications" or just scroll down to it)

www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update#processing-dates-for-paper-applications

It was very accurate as my son's licence arrived two days later when the website said they were finally working on applications received around the date he posted his (three months earlier),

Oops crossposted 😊

@Itslookinglikeabeautifulday

You can look up what applications (by date received) they're currently working on here (click on "processing dates for paper applications" or just scroll down to it)

www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update#processing-dates-for-paper-applications

It was very accurate as my son's licence arrived two days later when the website said they were finally working on applications received around the date he posted his (three months earlier),

Thanks for the helpful link. I think I’ll be waiting a while…

I would have just done it online but the system wouldn’t let me for some strange reason.

Good to know there’s a general delay and I don’t need to worry too much about it.

I've been able to get through on chat and they respond to eMail as well. I've got through on phone as well but it takes lots of attempts and is simply pot luck.

My gs's paper application took 18 weeks. It caused lots of problems because we sent his documents off and in the meantime he got a job that also required the same documents. DVLA didn't want to know because of the huge backlog. We had to reapply for a birth certificate but his new job wanted the actual certificate issued at birth!

In the end, they returned the documents after around 12 weeks.

You can check where they are up to on the gov.uk website but it will not be issued on these dates. It is pointless ringing. You can email but you will just get a generic reply each time ignoring the question you have asked.

When this happened a second time, I went to Complaints. You have to give them 7-10 days but they confirmed his application was processed that day and it would be with us in ten days. It arrived 3 days later.

The issue is that they are also taking industrial action so they are never getting to grips with the backlog. I understand working conditions were very poor during covid/lockdowns. But they are hurting completely innocent people whojust want to be able to work again. Such an awful situation. Online applications are fine.

@ElsieMc

My gs's paper application took 18 weeks. It caused lots of problems because we sent his documents off and in the meantime he got a job that also required the same documents. DVLA didn't want to know because of the huge backlog. We had to reapply for a birth certificate but his new job wanted the actual certificate issued at birth!

In the end, they returned the documents after around 12 weeks.

You can check where they are up to on the gov.uk website but it will not be issued on these dates. It is pointless ringing. You can email but you will just get a generic reply each time ignoring the question you have asked.

When this happened a second time, I went to Complaints. You have to give them 7-10 days but they confirmed his application was processed that day and it would be with us in ten days. It arrived 3 days later.

The issue is that they are also taking industrial action so they are never getting to grips with the backlog. I understand working conditions were very poor during covid/lockdowns. But they are hurting completely innocent people whojust want to be able to work again. Such an awful situation. Online applications are fine.

Same happened to me, took a new job that wanted the documents, in the end they wrote to the DWP as I receive Universal Credit and your ID is verified for that, but it cost work to do that which was really unfair.

My son's provisional application took 12 weeks. We applied really early but only got the licence 2 weeks after his 17th. I complained (online) 3 times but I only got a standard response.

So frustrating!

Mine took 10 weeks but they still haven’t cashed my cheque a further 3 weeks on, which is frustrating as I’m still having to factor it any bank account calculations

I had to send my licence back to update my address after moving (wouldn't just do it online for some reason) and I waited 10 weeks for my new one to come back to me. My nephew is waiting for a provisional licence so he can start driving lessons, that has been about 4 months now and still nothing. His dad has tried calling DVLA but cannot ever get through.

I renewed my licence (3 years for medical reasons.) The letter I got said some stuff about still being able to drive with expired license because of all the Covid related delays.
I sent mine off at the end of August and it just arrived yesterday.

Yes I had the same issue! I wrote to my MP to complain. They DO reply very promptly to Twitter direct messages.

I had an error with the DL my sent me after I renewed it online and I worried i wouldn't be able to drive until it was sorted. In the end, they did get a new one back to me quicker than they promised albeit it still probably too 6 weeks.

Sent mine off in August for address change. Just got back yesterday.

I lost my photocard license and sent off for a replacement at the end of August- the new one arrived yesterday. So just under 3 month wait for that.