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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Anyone waiting for a provisional driving licence?

137 replies

petitdonkey · 13/06/2021 15:23

We sent our forms back in April and the tracking is still saying 'awaiting documents' - DS is 17 in July so I am really hoping it will be here in time!

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 02/07/2021 09:43

Submitted form today with just under 3 months until birthday. Said we wanted to use a new photo as passport one is 3 years old and a bit rubbish. Let's see how long it takes.

Original poster
petitdonkey · 02/07/2021 09:56

Well DS just turned 17 and no sign still- beyond frustrating!!!

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 02/07/2021 10:00

That is frustrating petit . The next 2 months would be perfect for getting going, and not being able to because of DVLA delays is awful.

Allaboutsleeves · 03/07/2021 08:13

I have the same issue with my sons application. Brand new passport , filled in form online , got letter to send additional info including a photo. That was sent off 7 weeks ago. Website still saying awaiting return of documents. I called two weeks ago and was given sharp shrift by a less than helpful phone operative who reprimanded me for not waiting the full six weeks before calling. Been trying to call repeatedly over the last few days ( now 7 weeks since sending form) including at 8am today when lines open and I can’t even get into a queue. I just get a recorded message telling me all operatives busy and to call back or try the online service ( which is a bot). If anyone has any suggestions of where to go from here I would be grateful. Son desperate to start his lessons

Rillington · 06/07/2021 08:14

www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update

This tells you the date of the applications they are working on. I'm waiting for my photocard renewal. They are quoting up to 12 weeks wait now.

TeenMinusTests · 06/07/2021 08:25

re use of passport photo for driving license.

I got DD's photo done yesterday, the lady in the shop indicated that drivers license photos have to be less than 3 months old. (Can't promise she was correct, but that would explain why they don't generally use them.)

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 06/07/2021 08:31

We are 8weeks waiting and counting! Went on a live web chat last week.

Apparently

  1. they are on/have been on strike due to poor working conditions
  2. they only open the mail in date order depending on where they have got to the previous day-they don’t open it on the day they get it and log it on the system-they just leave it stacked up.
  3. their system therefore will continue to say they are awaiting your documentation even though it’s there but also because it’s not been opened they can’t confirm whether they have received it or not!
  4. they are very unhelpful and can’t be arsed to help-probably related to number 1!
  5. the system will only change to having received your stuff probably on the day they issue the licence
  6. their system sucks
TeenMinusTests · 06/07/2021 08:47

That's ridiculous.
They should get some temp staff in to clear the backlog (maybe some 17yos who would be learning to drive but can't because they haven't got their provisional yet Wink)

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 06/07/2021 08:51

@TeenMinusTests 🤣🤣🤣

BunnyRuddington · 06/07/2021 08:56

They should get some temp staff in to clear the backlog (maybe some 17yos who would be learning to drive but can't because they haven't got their provisional yet.

GrinGrinGrin

I'm not sure why it's got so back so quickly. DS applied in Feb and got his back about a week later.

I know there was a mass outbreak of Covid and stories came out about lack of social distancing and staff being told to turn off or delete the Track & Trace app, but you'd hope they'd sorted themselves out by now.

eleflump · 06/07/2021 09:17

Hi - have come to join you as I am so confused about this!

We applied online for DS and requested to use passport information for the photo.

However we have still received a letter requesting a new photo and ID.

I have filled in his passport number again and think this means that I dont need to send any additional documentation such as his birth certificate? I also think i don't need to have the photo verified or complete the verification section on the form?

Please can someone confirm if that's correct - it seems so strange when we have already supplied the passport number in the online application and I am now doubting myself!

eleflump · 06/07/2021 09:18

Ps - thanks MrsElijahMikaelson1 for the notification about this thread!!!

Freshprincess · 06/07/2021 09:25

Online with a passport but still had to send a photograph. I sent it back end of May and still showing as not received. So frustrating as I didn’t know about industrial action so booked and paid for driving lessons.

Processing date is around the time it went back so hopefully not much longer.

Thanks for the info on this thread.

TeenMinusTests · 06/07/2021 09:31

@Rillington

www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update

This tells you the date of the applications they are working on. I'm waiting for my photocard renewal. They are quoting up to 12 weeks wait now.

Thank you for this link, most helpful, I've added it to my favourites.
Rillington · 06/07/2021 09:39

@eleflump We had to send a new photo for my DD's application as her passport was nearly 5 years old. We didn't have to have it signed or send a birth certificate.

Rillington · 06/07/2021 09:40

@TeenMinusTests I'm not sure how accurate it is as there are tons of complaints on Twitter. Some people have been waiting months.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 06/07/2021 09:59

I don’t think that’s accurate as we sent ours at the beginning of May so if they are supposedly on 21 may, DD should have hers back already

MrsFlinch · 07/07/2021 14:39

@eleflump just posted on your other thread.
To those of you who are tracking applications, don’t worry if it says that they are awaiting documents. The status will sit like that until the license is issued.
We had the same worry as dds application sat like that for over eight weeks. (Apparently applications are taking up to 12 weeks) the status only changed once the license had been issued and sent.

We did online application and had to send an additional photo as they couldn’t use her passport despite it being issued the same week we did the license application, (so was a very recent photo!)

eleflump · 07/07/2021 23:28

@MrsFlinch thank you for the information - we have posted it back now so the wait begins!

MrsFlinch · 08/07/2021 00:58

[quote eleflump]@MrsFlinch thank you for the information - we have posted it back now so the wait begins![/quote]
Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long!

BigButtons · 08/07/2021 15:29

We finally had our documents returned today- did a paper application at the beginning of May. The letter included says the license itself should arrive in a Couple of weeks.

BigButtons · 10/07/2021 11:41

The actual license arrived today 2 months after we sent the forms off.
Best of luck to you all🙂🤞🏻

TeenMinusTests · 10/07/2021 12:35

We got the form back for signing today, will send it back by recorded delivery on Monday.
I sat DD down, explained how she had to sign it inside the white box. She then did an unnecessarily large signature where a v. tiny bit is borderline whether it is in or outside the space So I fear it may get bounced and that will add 2 months delay.

TeenMinusTests · 10/07/2021 12:36

(Was my fault, I should have got her to practice first).

jennytheonionslayer · 12/07/2021 13:06

We sent the signed form back on the 10th May after applying online.

The provisional arrived this morning.