Am I still allowed to drive?

[RedPandaFluff]

Hi all - I'm wondering if anyone else is in this position. I have a temporary driving licence as I have an eye condition, so every three years I have to have a peripheral vision test, the results are sent to the DVLA, and they then issue me with another three-year licence.

This licence expires at the end of February - now. At the start of January I filled in the form online to arrange for the test, and to get the ball rolling for my licence renewal. I hadn't heard anything, so chased it by email about three weeks ago, still nothing. I phoned DVLA three times during the last week but I can't get through - there's no option to hold for however long it takes, just a recorded message saying they are extremely busy just now, and then it disconnects.

I'm now in a position where my licence is expiring and I don't know if I'm legally allowed to drive. I followed the right process, left almost two months for the test, which is normally plenty of time, but there are evidently backlogs, probably due to COVID-19.

Is anyone else in the same position? Or maybe works for DVLA and can tell me what to do? Thanks in advance.

Have you had the test and results say you are fit to drive?

The DVLA says if your licence expires while it is processing your renewal application, you can continue driving as long as you meet certain conditions including only driving vehicles you were entitled to drive on your previous licence, not being told by a doctor or optician that you shouldn't drive, and you aren't disqualified from driving. For full info, see the Gov.uk website.
www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/renew-driving-licence/

Thank you @Disressingtimes - that particular advice is for normal licence renewals, not temporary medical licences.

No, I've not had the test - I have to fill in a form online (which I've done) and then the DVLA sends me a letter with a list of approved opticians. I have to then make an appointment with one, the optician sends the results to DVLA, and if I've passed the standard, the DVLA sends me a new temporary licence.

The DVLA hasn't yet sent the letter with the approved list of opticians, or acknowledged my emails, so I can't even make an appointment for the test (you have to give the DVLA letter to the optician).

So I'm stuck not knowing whether I'm allowed to drive in the meantime

I would assume not then tbh as you haven’t had the test which would allow you to drive. Do they not just recommend the same places each time?
My friend had to wait several additional months for her licence (following 12 months seizure free) due to the delays from DVLA last year.

Can you phone them up and ask?

I need the letter from them to give to the optician, @Disressingtimes - it's not just the approved centres, unfortunately. The letter contains the instructions as to which tests need to be undertaken.

I've phoned twice last week and once today, @BertieBotts - their phone service just tells you they're too busy and to look online, then disconnects you. It's basically impossible to speak to them at the moment.

Argh how annoying. I sometimes find when I get messages like that, that phoning first thing in the morning when the helpline first opens is more likely to get through.