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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:
DobbleDobble · 01/12/2021 13:51

I sent my licence at start of sept with documents enclosed.
Have emailed, tried to call , written to my MP.
I got through this morning after 35 minutes on hold to be told yes they can confirm received by my Royal Mail tracking number but can’t tell me where in system it is.They have opened an investigation ..but…. Helpfully… they refuse to give a timescale on outcome of investigation.Back to square one really.

Terrible service, nobody interested in running this story via media .

I have no suggestions different to OP’s

ColinTheKoala · 01/12/2021 13:51

The police have said she has until a certain date to give them the driving licence otherwise they are going to prosecute her

Well if the DVLA have it, the court will just have a go at the police for wasting their time. How stupid.

GinnyMackesy · 01/12/2021 13:53

Yes, it is a very long time to keep someone's passport. I would contact your MP and ask them to intervene based on that alone, and because you want to travel for compassionate reasons to elderly grandparents and for parental contact.

gordongrumpy · 01/12/2021 13:58

MP may help.

But given OP has time to apply for a new passport, and hasn't contacted the embassy (this is what I did when I was in China, and a government department kept my passport longer than I liked), I doubt the MP will do much.

SoItWas · 01/12/2021 14:05

Op you don't want to drive from N.I to Dublin, but what about a coach or train?

Inextremis · 01/12/2021 14:06

You wouldn't have to bring the car over, surely, if she were to get the ferry? Just get her on as a foot passenger to Dublin or Dun Laoghaire, then she can meet you at Dublin airport (assuming that's where you're flying to?).

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 01/12/2021 14:06

How far would it be in miles or hours to drive from home to Cairnryan, and from Belfast to where your relatives are?

SoItWas · 01/12/2021 14:08

Sorry N.I to Ireland (not sure where exactly in Ireland you want to go).

Or as pp said, leave DD behind this time, if Irish passport hasn't arrived, at least you can still catch your flight.

Tabbypawpaw · 01/12/2021 14:13

Hi OP, we had a similar problem with my mum’s driving licence renewal. They were impossible to reach on the phone or email. It was causing her huge stress to be driving without her licence (she’s nearly 80). I did two things, the first was message the DVLA via their Facebook page (but on messenger) and ask for help. They’re clearly watching that as someone responded after a few days promising to look into it. At the same time we got her MP involved who wrote to the minister of transport, complaining. We don’t know which worked but within days there was a nice Welsh lady on the phone saying it was all sorted and her licence was in the post. Yours is a different situation but perhaps be a squeaky wheel - message a lot etc.

SoItWas · 01/12/2021 14:15

www.stenaline.co.uk/ferries-to-ireland/coach-sail/england-to-northern-ireland

Stena run coaches from London, Birmingham, Manchester and Carlisle. It says from £28 single, (so there's probably some catch, and regular tickets are more expensive).

BlokeHereInPeace · 01/12/2021 14:15

Inextremis has it, maybe. You fly, she goes ferry. meet her there. She's 18. No need for a car journey, all good. Stop the tears, get this sorted. Show your daughter that there is often a solution. The situation re licences and passports is really bad, yes, but you can do this.

Almostmenopausal · 01/12/2021 14:15

The post office have a new 'Easy ID' card which would be sufficient to fly to Ireland.

littlebugblue · 01/12/2021 14:17

Sorry if you've said already OP but who are you flying with. I've seen someone board a UK - Ireland aerlingus flight with their library card as ID! It's ryanair who demand to see a passport.
If it's aerlingus I'd ring them and explain so at least you've peace of mind before you show up. I've always found aerlingus super helpful.

starfleet · 01/12/2021 14:19

Sent my Mums driving licence renewal off for her at the beginning of July via post as they needed some additional information. Licence received late October.

Did my next door neighbours for her online around a week later and hers came within 7 days.

A couple our guys at work went to Ireland for a project last week (they went out on the ferry from Scotland to Belfast and flew back) only had to show their photo ID - they used their driving licences.

Thursdaymiami · 01/12/2021 14:25

Why would people waste MP time over a missing passport that means you can’t go on holiday to visit relatives. Boggles my mind!!

LIZS · 01/12/2021 14:28

Didn't think you needed a passport for Ireland?

ElftonWednesday · 01/12/2021 14:30

That's the sort of things MPs do, intervene for constituents when the authorities are taking the piss. Or do you imagine they should only get involved with loftier concerns?

It's appalling, OP. Hope it gets sorted. We didn't have to send off DD1's passport when I applied for hers, just gave them the number. Now she is moaning as they used her passport photo which she doesn't like. I said at least she a) has a provisional licence, which are like gold dust just now and b) the photo is really small and hardly visible anyway.

ElftonWednesday · 01/12/2021 14:31

You don't technically have to have a passport within the Common Travel Area but I always take mine as you can be asked for proof of nationality when using other photo ID.

Rosesandblossoms · 01/12/2021 14:31

@Ceci03

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.

Yes. I travel at least once a year by ferry and never have to show passports. And I have flown more than once with Aer Lingus using my driving license.

The issue her I think is that the OP’s DD, is that she doesn’t have her drivers license OR a passport and therefore doesn’t have a valid form of ID for travel, which you do need in the CTA.

Rosesandblossoms · 01/12/2021 14:32

It’s still a passport renewal if she’s had one before OP.

Thursdaymiami · 01/12/2021 14:33

@ElftonWednesday
I think as a grown adult with adulting skills I would manage to solve this little conundrum without the help of someone who, yes, in my opinion shouldn’t be helping you with your holiday plans gone wrong.

It’s quite obvious this isn’t that big a deal.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 01/12/2021 14:41

@LIZS

Didn't think you needed a passport for Ireland?
Genius !
Original poster
Ceci03 · 01/12/2021 14:42

@ColinTheKoala

For the ferry - yes you can use a driving licence but she DOESNT HAVE ONE

WE KNOW! I posted a list of all the other forms of ID that are acceptable.

She doesnt have any of the others either!!! And yes she is over 18 so a birth cert is not sufficient.

International Student Card - nope
Government issued photographic ID cards - nope
Health insurance/social security photographic ID cards -nope
Photographic bus/train pass nope
Place of work photographic ID nope
Birth certificates (for under 18’s with no photo ID) is over 18

Anyway this is all academic.

It's the 2nd time I've bought flights over so I'd like to use them. I cant afford to keep buying new ones, or going on the ferry etc etc etc.

OP posts:
ElftonWednesday · 01/12/2021 14:43

She might be able to "solve this little conundrum" but I think her MP and should be made aware nonetheless. The government know that the DVLA is way behind on licences at the moment and the more they hear about how this affects individuals the more likely they will have to do something about it. Losing someone's documents is appalling and unforgiveable, as is getting no reply after contacting them repeatedly and the MP should certainly take up this aspect.

Doveyouknow · 01/12/2021 14:44

I don't think you need to cancel all the flights just your dd's. She will need to get the ferry and use one of the photo IDs they accept (obviously not a passport or driving licence!) It's a pain and it will cost more money but it seems worth it to save you trip.