In tears over latest DVLA fiasco

Kirsten

Kirsten

LIFE MEMBER
Joined
May 5, 2015
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Stratford on Avon
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Hymer B544
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Since 2010
After loooong delay to renewing C1 last year I had to send renewal details in March as they only renewed for a year [despite IMO having no relevant medical grounds to do so but that's another story ] So sent off all the forms and my physical driving licence to them 3/3 and it was received by DVLA 5/3 according to post office tracker which I have just viewed .
Phoned today as required to wait 5 weeks before enquiring and they have no trace of the application and say the tracking number is not correct .
Phoned again got to another department in hope initial person had made a mistake and the advice is to try to get number that they accept from tracker [I may have kept wrong bit of receipt ???] and IF they have lost it they will start a case BUT IF they say they have not received it ie tracker invalid [!?] I will need to start process again - both processes will take the same time and they do not offer an express or expedited service.

Loosing the will to live here
 
The closing of the local offices was a great blow to us the customers, the thought of sending original paperwork to anybody terrifies me

We take our passports to Peterborough when needed , I would drive to Swansea if we could for anything critical as a licence

I feel your pain and wish you luck
 
I’ve just renewed my licence for the third time, coming up to 76 in 3 days! I sent all the C1 paperwork in on 9th February, within 3 months, thinking I would get a new licence from my birthday; I got the new one dated from 14th February!

When I wrote to question this, I was informed that the new licence is from the date of assessing it. Apparently, 3 years ago, during lockdown or whatever, they just rubber stamped it from your birthday! Which is strange, because my 70th birthday licence was from my birthday? Still, I can’t be bothered to pursue the argument.

If I’m still here in 3 years, I’ll be sending it all in on 9th February!! I don’t want to waste my D4D medical on 2 years 10 months instead of 3 years.
 
Kirsten said:
After loooong delay to renewing C1 last year I had to send renewal details in March as they only renewed for a year [despite IMO having no relevant medical grounds to do so but that's another story ] So sent off all the forms and my physical driving licence to them 3/3 and it was received by DVLA 5/3 according to post office tracker which I have just viewed .
Phoned today as required to wait 5 weeks before enquiring and they have no trace of the application and say the tracking number is not correct .
Phoned again got to another department in hope initial person had made a mistake and the advice is to try to get number that they accept from tracker [I may have kept wrong bit of receipt ???] and IF they have lost it they will start a case BUT IF they say they have not received it ie tracker invalid [!?] I will need to start process again - both processes will take the same time and they do not offer an express or expedited service.

Loosing the will to live here
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I'm confused a little. You have tracker number as you say you have just viewed when it was delivered to DVLA. Is this not the number they require?

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If you sent it recorded they sign for the mail in their post room, they only sign for the sack not each individual envelope. So they won't have a clue if they have received it or not.

Date of renewal seems a bit hit and miss. My first renewal was 2020 Covid times came back with 19/07/23, birthday is 31 May so I gained a couple of months. Last year I applied about 60 days before, came back with issued on 24/05/23, expires 19/07/26.
 
Kirsten said:
After loooong delay to renewing C1 last year I had to send renewal details in March as they only renewed for a year [despite IMO having no relevant medical grounds to do so but that's another story ] So sent off all the forms and my physical driving licence to them 3/3 and it was received by DVLA 5/3 according to post office tracker which I have just viewed .
Phoned today as required to wait 5 weeks before enquiring and they have no trace of the application and say the tracking number is not correct .
Phoned again got to another department in hope initial person had made a mistake and the advice is to try to get number that they accept from tracker [I may have kept wrong bit of receipt ???] and IF they have lost it they will start a case BUT IF they say they have not received it ie tracker invalid [!?] I will need to start process again - both processes will take the same time and they do not offer an express or expedited service.

Loosing the will to live here
Click to expand...
This happened to my good lady years ago, she passed her test in 2000 (even knew the date, the car she passed in and its distinctive private plate that matched the driving school). As advised she sent off her pass certificate with all relevant documentation.. .and job was a goodun......

It was several years later when i went to put her on my company insurance, and she couldnt find her license. So she contacted DVLA for a replacement only to be told that they have NO record of her and according to them had not received any pass certification. She even had a number of years NCB. Had to take her test again!!!!!

Long story short, unfortunately this is NOT a rare instance (google it), and the advice is to photocopy any license details before sending it off, as you may not get it back and/or with fewer categories - loss of motorbike etc.
 
Kirsten said:
After loooong delay to renewing C1 last year I had to send renewal details in March as they only renewed for a year [despite IMO having no relevant medical grounds to do so but that's another story ] So sent off all the forms and my physical driving licence to them 3/3 and it was received by DVLA 5/3 according to post office tracker which I have just viewed .
Phoned today as required to wait 5 weeks before enquiring and they have no trace of the application and say the tracking number is not correct .
Phoned again got to another department in hope initial person had made a mistake and the advice is to try to get number that they accept from tracker [I may have kept wrong bit of receipt ???] and IF they have lost it they will start a case BUT IF they say they have not received it ie tracker invalid [!?] I will need to start process again - both processes will take the same time and they do not offer an express or expedited service.

Loosing the will to live here
Click to expand...
It's very easy to lose the will to live with that shower of an organisation. Useless beyond words in my experience. Good luck, you'll probably need it.

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They really are not fit for purpose,no help to you now but I always send anything to them signed for.

IMG_5485.webp
 
Having now renewed my C1 three times I send it of 88 days before it is due to expire keep my current licence and put a letter in confirming one, I have kept my licence as I will be driving in the EU whilst my application is processed and undertake to either return my expired licence upon receipt on my new one or destroy it ,and retain photographic proof I have done so. Get the new licence back dated the day after the old one expires no mention of what to do with the old licence, don’t forget to check whether you need to renew the photo.
 
Sent it tracked NOT signed for- been back to post office jst now they say DVLA HAVE received it , confirmed by them and by on line tracker ....need to start again with process- need to call them AGAIN as cant email as have no reference no for the case as they have not acknowledged receipt of. That you for all the messages , not sure the DVLA would have any joy tracking the signatory on RB62s post so feel a bit better about not sending it signed for . Mopped up tears- have splitting headache - but onto it again ......
 
Kirsten said:
Sent to tracked NOT signed for- been back to post office they say DVLA HAVE received it , need to start again with process- need to call them AGAIN as cant email as have no reference no for the case as they have not acknowledged receipt of. That you for all the messages , not sure the DVLA would have any joy tracking the signatory on RB62s post so feel a bit better about not sending it signed for . Mopped up tears- have splitting headache - but onto it again ......
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Hope your follow up is successful and quick.

was told that the postman signs for the complete sack that is delivered to the post room at DVLA so is really worthless.
 
Puddleduck said:
Get your MP involved and ask him or her to involve the public services ombudsman. Like magic it will all be sorted.
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Thank you . Doing it now. New MP for Stratford is great [unlike the vile, absent Mr Zahawi ] Some positivity at least xxx
 
Lenny HB said:
If you sent it recorded they sign for the mail in their post room, they only sign for the sack not each individual envelope. So they won't have a clue if they have received it or not.

Date of renewal seems a bit hit and miss. My first renewal was 2020 Covid times came back with 19/07/23, birthday is 31 May so I gained a couple of months. Last year I applied about 60 days before, came back with issued on 24/05/23, expires 19/07/26.
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In addition it does not go directly to dvla but another government sorting office which can add a week to the delivery
I was told this by dvla so i never send anything to them recorded or signed for

I don't know of the process has changed since lockdown
 
Kirsten said:
Sent it tracked NOT signed for- been back to post office jst now they say DVLA HAVE received it , confirmed by them and by on line tracker ....need to start again with process- need to call them AGAIN as cant email as have no reference no for the case as they have not acknowledged receipt of. That you for all the messages , not sure the DVLA would have any joy tracking the signatory on RB62s post so feel a bit better about not sending it signed for . Mopped up tears- have splitting headache - but onto it again ......
Click to expand...
Sun is shining take a breath it will get sorted
 
Kirsten said:
After loooong delay to renewing C1 last year I had to send renewal details in March as they only renewed for a year [despite IMO having no relevant medical grounds to do so but that's another story ] So sent off all the forms and my physical driving licence to them 3/3 and it was received by DVLA 5/3 according to post office tracker which I have just viewed .
Phoned today as required to wait 5 weeks before enquiring and they have no trace of the application and say the tracking number is not correct .
Phoned again got to another department in hope initial person had made a mistake and the advice is to try to get number that they accept from tracker [I may have kept wrong bit of receipt ???] and IF they have lost it they will start a case
Click to expand...
 
Is the problem Royal Mail or DVLA.

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I have just had to apply for my three year medical licence I sent mine tracked to be signed for checked and it was signed for
Kirsten said:
not sure the DVLA would have any joy tracking the signatory on RB62s post
Click to expand...
Funnily the signature on mine is the same as rb62 ’s

It took nine months for my last licence to be sent so hoping it won’t be as long this time but I am not holding my breath.
Hope you manage to get yours sorted.
 
When I registered the current motorhome they rejected my application because the vehicle details did not match the details with HMRC when I paid the VAT on import. I called HMRC and within 20 seconds the details were amended to what DVLA wanted. I of course had to ship all the documents back and start again. I complained via my MP but the complaint was dismissed due to documents being issued the day before the complaint, very convenient.
I raised another complaint around the rejection as I had emails from both DVLA and HMRC around what the manufacturer and model should be. HMRC wanted Morelo and DVLA wanted Mercedes. My complaint was upheld and I was advised training would be given to relevant team, no apology.
 
I submitted my renewal and it took them a month to write and say they needed to write to my Doctor. I had used D4 Doctors who was so quick I didn’t get chance to demist my glasses so he failed me on eyesight so I had to go the opticians who prescribed new glasses.

I suspect DVLA are querying my newish diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocitic Leukaemia for which I take no meds and was told it will probably never come to anything and I will die of something else. They do blood tests every six months to keep an eye on it.
Anyway I ‘phoned the Doc when I got the letter but they have not received anything yet to know what DVLA want!
Meantime we can’t now book any holidays abroad! Grrrrr!
 
BigVtwin said:
This happened to my good lady years ago, she passed her test in 2000 (even knew the date, the car she passed in and its distinctive private plate that matched the driving school). As advised she sent off her pass certificate with all relevant documentation.. .and job was a goodun......

It was several years later when i went to put her on my company insurance, and she couldnt find her license. So she contacted DVLA for a replacement only to be told that they have NO record of her and according to them had not received any pass certification. She even had a number of years NCB. Had to take her test again!!!!!

Long story short, unfortunately this is NOT a rare instance (google it), and the advice is to photocopy any license details before sending it off, as you may not get it back and/or with fewer categories - loss of motorbike etc.
Click to expand...
Last time I applied for my licence they put motorbike back on!- not much use though as I only have 1 arm and a nearly useless left leg....
Cheers, Dave
ps they do know my condition.

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Kirsten
I feel your pain as I have had a nightmare getting my V5 uprated. (See thread Nightmare at DVLA).

Today I got through to someone who not only had more than one brain cell but was happy to use it.

Keep trying and it will come right. Good luck.
 
Lenny HB said:
If you sent it recorded they sign for the mail in their post room, they only sign for the sack not each individual envelope. So they won't have a clue if they have received it or not.

Date of renewal seems a bit hit and miss. My first renewal was 2020 Covid times came back with 19/07/23, birthday is 31 May so I gained a couple of months. Last year I applied about 60 days before, came back with issued on 24/05/23, expires 19/07/26.
Click to expand...
Had a similar issue with HMRC. A letter sent first class signed for, to be delivered within 3 days. Kept checking but not shown delivered after six days. Went to a post office to query and resend and was told it was common practice that because of the amount of mail, the posties don't scan everything. I ended up paying another £8.35 and told I should claim against the original as that will be the only way things will be changed.
 
Just in after a long Sponsored walk for local hospice.
Thank you all for uplifting replies- I am now much comforted and secure in knowledge that it ' Isn't Me ' as Terry Wogan would say - but infuriated as Something Needs To Be Done !! The level of inefficiency is unbelievable ; I know many funsters have had quick service from DVLA ; and maybe some also from the dreaded tax people - but the inconvenience and sheer imbecility reported here and in other threads leaves me astounded . Is there a central bank of these complaints in the ether somewhere ? DVLA need to be held accountable for the general shambles ? xx Will let you know IF I ever get this sorted xxx (y)
 
Kirsten said:
Just in after a long Sponsored walk for local hospice.
Thank you all for uplifting replies- I am now much comforted and secure in knowledge that it ' Isn't Me ' as Terry Wogan would say - but infuriated as Something Needs To Be Done !! The level of inefficiency is unbelievable ; I know many funsters have had quick service from DVLA ; and maybe some also from the dreaded tax people - but the inconvenience and sheer imbecility reported here and in other threads leaves me astounded . Is there a central bank of these complaints in the ether somewhere ? DVLA need to be held accountable for the general shambles ? xx Will let you know IF I ever get this sorted xxx (y)
Click to expand...
There are many government funded organisations that have mastered the art of doing as little as possible for as long as possible :rofl:

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