To think that DVLA is not fit for purpose now - one example being applying for a first Provisional Licence?

[DreadedVehicleLicensingAgency]

I have just tried to apply online via gov.uk for a DC's first Provisional Licence. The information said that the licence should be received after about a week. This was important as the licence was to form part of a joint Christmas and birthday present, and the young person needs to be able to learn to drive as soon as possible, especially with balancing A Levels, part-time work, responsibilities as a Young Carer and living in a rural area.

It was a very straight forward application, or so I thought. For example, the DC was born in England, has lived at the same address all their life, and had valid Passport and National Insurance numbers for identity verification and the photograph. All the details entered were double-checked and correct.

And yet, it did not work. I was redirected to apply via the old online system - there still seemed hope at this point. Here, I had to enter all the same details again, plus mother's maiden name, DC's exact place of birth, phone numbers and email. It took my money. All seemed well.

And then, the last page came up, giving the application number and confirming payment, but saying we still had to submit a paper application as well, which will be delayed because of staff working from home!

There is no legitimate reason why the online application did not work. There is nothing to add to the online application and passport/national insurance number access they have by filling in a paper form! I have heard and read of delays involving weeks and months with the paper applications, and of the inability to talk to an actual person who can or will help. DC cannot even start driving lessons until the licence is received.

What is your recent experience of DVLA, especially with applying for a provisional licence? Any advice or tips for moving this along very welcome!

NC.

I am so glad I do not have to deal with the DVLA for many years. They are a failed organisation. Perhaps regional centres would be better.

Dd still hasn't got a full licence despite passing in September

I knew it would take months so I applied when DD turned 16 - it took three months, and has it ready for when she turns 17.

@teaandtoastwithmarmite

Gosh my only marriage certificate and driving licence are currently with dvla waiting for an updated licence. Quite concerned now

You can get replacement certificates.

And a driving licence. I’m theory anyway!

IN!!!!!

In March 2020 I passed my test on a Wednesday and had my licence on the Saturday. So they used to work well!

I reported a family member to the DVLA a few weeks ago as they're a raging fucking alcoholic and have been hospitalised as such.

Super glad that family member still has a licence and is still in denial about their driving ability.

(And yes, I'd call the police if I knew they were in the car).

You are looking at a minimum of 13 weeks. You left it far too late to apply.

I didn't realise but a theory test certificate expires after 2 years.

Because of the lockdowns and massive backlog of test dates DS now has to start again. He did fail the practical test he took but still it's a very disheartening time to be a young person because the admin and waiting involved is such a slog right now.

Recently got DS2s provisional through. Actually got the licence fairly quickly but had to get a passport first which took additional time.

Awful service, and it was awful pre covid too. My Dad temporarily lost his licence due to a medical condition. After 6 months of investigations the doctors signed him off as fit to drive again. The completely ridiculous rigmarole he had to go through to get it back again was disgraceful and made a tough time even worse.

Thanks @DreadedVehicleLicensingAgency
I really thought I was ahead of the curve! I made the first application in October 2020 when DD was 16 . So far DVLA has ‘lost’ 2 applications and (because the tracking website is NEVER updated) I assume it’s sitting on the latest one which went in about 10 weeks ago.
What’s so frustrating is that there’s no obvious reason why they should need to verify her ID. She’s British, lived in the same house all her life,) all her passports Have been registered to this address, she's got a current passport (renewed online - no problem) and her NI number came through without a hitch last year.
I did track and trace so the paperwork definitely got there but I know the DVLA’s demonic elves are playing eerny-meeny-miny-mo with the applications so they've probably already shredded it . I just need someone to tell me that they still have the documents but there no way to find out. No webchat, no one answering the phone and pathetic cut and paste replies to emails.

Isn’t there any complaints system? How can this be sorted?

Daily fail please pick this up…

There is a complaints system. It also doesn't work.

From my experience, MPs are also no more able to help.

[quote kickupafuss]@LittleDandelionClock Is it really a strange gift? My DD has been given a car for her Christmas present and lessons for her birthday. I thought that was a completely normal thing to do.[/quote]
@kickupafuss

Are you joking?

Being given a CAR for Christmas - and driving lessons for your birthday, is hardly the same as being given your driving licence - worth £34 - for a JOINT birthday and Christmas present. I can't believe you would compare something worth multiple thousands of pounds with something worth £34.

@LittleDandelionClock I thought that when the OP said the licence was 'part of' her joint present that's what she meant. You can't do any lessons until you have the licence. I'm sure she's not just giving her the licence!

@LittleDandelionClock can you not read? OP clearly said it was "to form part of a joint Christmas and birthday present" so I don't get why you're banging on about it being a shit gift when it's not the whole gift

"Part" thus implying that it is not the whole of the present, which presumably includes lessons and/or a vehicle.

Applied 5 months ago and heard nowt.

It took 14 months for Dd to receive her first provisional license. Granted she has a mild medical condition, but they were sending random forms that had nothing to do with her condition, wouldn’t accept her consultants letter but instead wanted one from a gp she’d never met, getting hold of them was an absolute nightmare too.

Don't get me started OP. I work in automotive but converted vehicles think taxis and Wheel chair accessible vehicles. Not only is it a nightmare to get hold of donor vehicles and our parts suppliers are struggling to deliver but when we actually finish and try to register vehicles it takes months.

At one point we had half a million in stock just waiting for their registrations to come through. You can imagine what this does to cash flow.

The system is well and truly broken.

It is disgusting that they are allowed to operate that way.

Dh and I both sent our license off for an update on our address on the same day. Mine came back in 2 weeks his took 5 months. Go figure.

Makes you wonder if there isanybody at the DVLA? Anybody brave enough to start an ‘I work at the DVLA, AMA’ thread. Thought not.

The DVLA are shocking. I applied for my daughters provisional license in July and she got it in November.

I've just had to have my photo licence renewed, the online and paper application, seemed to require endless form of back up ID.
Post Office offer service for £21. They did my photo, updated my address. All I had to do was take in old licence. Had renewed licence 3 days later. Do pretty impressive ime.

I was told by post office, that DVLA staff are all working from home at the moment, so it would take weeks the other way.
Can you apply through post office.