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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cannot get through to DVLA - they have my daughter's passport!

180 replies

Ceci03 · 01/12/2021 10:18

So I helped dd apply for a provisional licence back in June, but they asked me to send in her passport - the original. We couldn't then, as she was going away and needed it. So we sent it in October, with the original application number etc, as I did manage to speak to them in about August about it.
So now DD is booked to go away after xmas, but they still have her passport. I've emailed, and phoned, and tried to do webchat, but cannot get through to anyone. I don't even care about the licence at this stage, we just need the passport back :( Does anyone have any tips as to how you can speak to someone.

I paid for flights (different ones in August), and we couldnt go due to testing positive for covid. If I lose these flights at xmas as well because of that I'm going to lose my S.

Anyone know anyone who works there, or anyone managed to get through?
I looked up applying for a new passport, but the wait times are 8 weeks, so that's too late now as well.

OP posts:
Pythonesque · 01/12/2021 11:36

If you have dual citizenship they are very fussy about needing to see all passports held even for renewals.

OP I hope you can sort something out. These sorts of waits to get original documents returned are really unacceptable - I'd be considering contacting my MP about it tbh.

sashh · 01/12/2021 11:45

If you are British or Irish you do not need a passport to travel in the CTA

www.gov.uk/guidance/travelling-between-the-uk-and-ireland-isle-of-man-guernsey-or-jersey

Your DD will need some form of ID, her birth certificate might be enough, does she have a school / college ID card?

You can also apply for an 'emergency travel document'.

I would contact the Irish embassy and see what they recommend. It may be a case of them sending an email.

Ryan air want passports but Aer Lingus don't.

Don't cry, things are stressful at the moment but you will find a way.

Original poster
Ceci03 · 01/12/2021 11:46

yes Pythonesque that's the problem.

For anyone saying go by ferry - she still needs a passport.

The trouble with the Irish passport card is it's only acceptable in the EU - does that exclude the UK after brexit?

I don't mind travelling to an embassy or doing what is needed, but just trying to find out what is actually possible.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I really feel I'm jinxed now. After losing flights in August as well.

For those people saying to go without her - she would be very miserable stayiing home alone I don't think I could do that to her.

OP posts:
gordongrumpy · 01/12/2021 11:48

For anyone saying go by ferry - she still needs a passport.

She does not.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 01/12/2021 11:49

I agree with getting a passport card for her. I renewed my passport recently and it was back within 3 working days, I got both a passport and a passport card so it should also be quick for just a passport card.

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 01/12/2021 11:50

What a complete pain in the butt.

If you travel by Aer Lingus then you don't actually need a passport. DS's girlfriend (Irish citizen) used this route in the summer as her passport wasn't issued in time.

www.aerlingus.com/travel-information/passports-and-visas/travel-to-from-britain/

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 01/12/2021 11:51

Technically you don't need a passport between UK and Ireland, just photo id which for most people is a passport. But a passport card should be acceptable.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 01/12/2021 11:54

@gordongrumpy

For anyone saying go by ferry - she still needs a passport.

She does not.

How is this factual matter causing confusion?

Can someone link to the rules or the thread will go round in circles which wont help the OP

gordongrumpy · 01/12/2021 11:56

Anyone who travels UK to Ireland would know that you can do it on photo ID (even a work ID would do for the ferry) or a birth cert if under 18. OP is being a drama lama, and I suspect doesn't want to think around the issue.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 01/12/2021 11:57

Also, if you're living in the UK and she can have both passports then I would recommend getting a UK one as well. Obviously you can't at the moment, but when you can. It's useful for two reasons. Firstly some things in the UK are automatically linked up with your passport information, if she had a UK passport I think she could have just given the number to the licence people and not needed to send the actual passport. Secondly, if you make sure that the renewal dates are several years apart then she will always have an in-date passport for travel at short notice etc.

JSL52 · 01/12/2021 11:58

@Ceci03

I cant get her a new passport as she needs the current one as proof of ID.
Say it's lost. She can't use it as ID currently.
Doyouwantcoffee · 01/12/2021 12:02

You do not need a passport to travel to Ireland. It is part of the Common Travel Area.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland/entry-requirements

Whosaysyoucanthaveitall · 01/12/2021 12:06

Fly to Belfast and drive down. No passport needed

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 01/12/2021 12:08

www.irishferries.com/uk-en/frequently-asked-questions/top-10-faqs/passports-identification/

There is no legal requirement for a passport for British and Irish Citizens travelling between UK and Ireland.

The "confusion" is because some companies (Ryanair) demand a passport.

Polmuggle · 01/12/2021 12:09

www.stenaline.co.uk/faqs/passports-and-visas/im-a-british-irish-citizen-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel

She doesn't need a passport but she does nee photo id, which I assume she doesn't have without a passport or driving license

CloudyStorms · 01/12/2021 12:12

That's really shit. They could employ someone to open the applications, scan what they need and send the originals back.

gordongrumpy · 01/12/2021 12:13

A student card, bus pass, work card, or even birth cert if under 18 counts.

Most people would have one of those. If she has none at all, then I'd suggest speaking to the embassy, or ferry company.

But OP prefers to spend time crying, and catastrophising with 'what ifs' in terms of her parents, than taking the practical advice about the common travel area, or applying for emergency passports.

malmi · 01/12/2021 12:13

@Polmuggle

www.stenaline.co.uk/faqs/passports-and-visas/im-a-british-irish-citizen-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel

She doesn't need a passport but she does nee photo id, which I assume she doesn't have without a passport or driving license

If she's still 17 they will accept a birth certificate according to that
Oblomov21 · 01/12/2021 12:13

I would phone back today again ask to make a complaint. Ask for it to be escalated.

I would also phone every week. Every time you phone HMRC or DVLA notes get put on your file. It helps to get things actioned.

ChateauMargaux · 01/12/2021 12:15

Ah dam it.. I was going to post the rules!!

Op, I am sorry you are in this situation, it totally sucks. Life is so stressful these days anything will push us over the edge of tears.

I hope you find a solution.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 01/12/2021 12:16

I work for an airline. You do NOT need a passport.

Original poster
Ceci03 · 01/12/2021 12:17

gordongrumpy - thanks for they sympathy lol! As someone who has grown up with an Irish father and an English mother I think I'm well versed in the rules of travel between UK and Rep of Ireland!

It's correct that you do not "need" a passport to travel between the countries as it's part of the common travel area. However, have you ever tried to travel on an airline or a ferry without a passport? You will be turned away.

She has just turned 18 which complicates things more. If I try and get her a renewal Irish passport - does it count as a renewal I wonder or as a 1st passport. I'm going to trawl through their website now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceci03 · 01/12/2021 12:19

@Oblomov21

I would phone back today again ask to make a complaint. Ask for it to be escalated.

I would also phone every week. Every time you phone HMRC or DVLA notes get put on your file. It helps to get things actioned.

I don't see how it will get put on my file as he wouldn't even take the application number, or even my daughter's name. I get that they must get a lot of calls. But to hold onto someone's passport for 8-10 weeks is not really acceptable, is it?
OP posts:
Tricked2003 · 01/12/2021 12:22

They are probably being truthful about not being able to return it to you, they have mountains of unopened mail!!! It's a shambles ....................

Report the passport as lost and order a new one asap.