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.

Are they still having strike days as well?

They used to be brilliant (well from 2004 onwards).

I agree the length of time is annoying however it has been known for 18 months that there are backlogs at the DVLA. It has been in the national press several times. You could have applied for his provisional once he was 16 so not sure why you waited till the last minute.

Perhaps a part of a government initiative to get young people off the road. Take ages to do the provisional licence, close the theory test centres and delay the practical tests. Perhaps they think it will make the roads safer - although wouldn't stop the boy/girl racers who wouldn't care about being licenced anyhow

Well this thread has been my lucky charm! Can't believe it but DD's provisional turned up this morning!!! It has taken around 3 months (longer since we started the original online application). Absolutely thrilled and she's already been out for a drive . Fingers crossed for the rest of you still waiting.

Yes it's pretty awful. Passport office too. And council. There is no way to actually speak to anyone in any government office really. And things go wrong.

'Not fit for purpose' because you don't want to wait?

@FangsForTheMemory
Not fit for purpose because the online tracker provides incorrect updates. States "awaiting documents" continually and never actually updates. The website says the date they are working on, yet this is incorrect, they are over a month further behind than that.

So, if you have sent original documents the tracker says they haven't received them and the ""dates working on" say yours should have been by sorted by now, the website suggests you contact them..... at which point you go around in circles unable to speak to anybody, and thrown back to the website that says awaiting documents etc etc.

If they at least abandoned their tracker at least it wouldn't provide incorrect and therefore misleading info.

@fiftiesmum

Perhaps a part of a government initiative to get young people off the road. Take ages to do the provisional licence, close the theory test centres and delay the practical tests. Perhaps they think it will make the roads safer - although wouldn't stop the boy/girl racers who wouldn't care about being licenced anyhow

Covid has been a dream for keeping young'uns off the road

Saw an article in the DM saying there's a backlog og half a million waiting for tests. Can't verify the number, but other sources (BBC among others) talk about a large backlog in Oct/Nov.

I wonder, then, if the DVSA have asked the DVLA to deal with applications for provisional licences slowly in order to not add to this problem.

Applied for dds provisional online in March. They sent out a paper application as they said they couldn’t verify her passport despite being brand new.

I added a photo, put passport number on it again (refused to send actual passport as was needed!) and got her to sign it.

The status never updated and was left at ‘awaiting documents’ until the license was issued and posted out to us. Only then did it change to “issued” took 9 weeks from sending paper application back.

if I recall correctly you have to allow a minimum of 12 weeks due to Covid and staff shortages but in theory it’s taking a lot longer.