DRIVING LICENCE

[tinkerbell]

Does anyone know how I contact DVLA, I’ve tried phoning, writing, complaining, I’ve sent everything recorded delivery, so all has been signed as received, But just over 3 months later I am still waiting for return of licence, also includes medical certificate. Has anyone waited longer, HELP

 

[golly]

DVLA Driving Licence Enquiries
Telephone: 0300 790 6801
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturdays, 8am to 4pm

I phoned this number last week, you will be on hold a while but they did answer, they confirmed the had received application. If a medical form was submitted, they will transfer you to the medical dept (they did with me) after another time on hold, I waited 45 min, they confirmed it was in hand and they are sending me a letter confirming that, and I can continue to drive while awaiting my licence.

 

[Ivory55]

If it’s outside the normal boxes it seems to take longer

 

[tinkerbell]

I have phoned that number several times at different times of day and all I get is that they are busy and try again later, I have not even got to the hold part, I wish I could

 

[rb62]

Does anyone know how I contact DVLA, I’ve tried phoning, writing, complaining, I’ve sent everything recorded delivery, so all has been signed as received, But just over 3 months later I am still waiting for return of licence, also includes medical certificate. Has anyone waited longer, HELP

Anything involving a medical seems to be taking at least 18 weeks at the moment,I sent mine off second week in July! As your licence is being processed by DVLA and you can prove that they have received it and your doctor says you are fit to drive you are covered to drive by Section88,but only in the UK.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/695575/inf188x6-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

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[nomadic]

I have phoned that number several times at different times of day and all I get is that they are busy and try again later, I have not even got to the hold part, I wish I could

That is because their cueing system has reached its maximum capacity, our medical centre is just the same, The only way forward is to keep trying. The letter you will get will allow you to drive, subject to a list of ailments, whilst your application is being progressed.

My last application was six months from posting recorded, to being delivered.

I photocopied my letter of allowance, and kept a copy in each of our vehicles.......never needed them, but it helps keeping your defences up!!!

 

[Nanniemate]

Sadly if you send it recorded it does not go direct. Goes to a central gov. Post room and then via internal mail. I was told this by DVLA when I went to collect licences in person . They advised me against sending it that way.crazy but hey its a government organisation you can't expect efficiency.

 

[Bessy765]

Sent off 21/06/21, still waiting

 

[63720]

Can't remember how to find it but there's an online email form on their website, follow Contact Us and have your driver number ready. I've phoned them over 30 times in the last few weeks and due to the queue I've been cut off so used this instead. Good luck.

 

[jongood]

During last autumn I found ringing after 1730 was more successful, I'm guessing because the calls from dealers had stopped. Still takes a long time and they also told me that recorded are signed for by their sorting office, which I think is taking money by false pretence but heyho.

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[Phill D]

mine took 8 months and you can continue to drive as you have a record of sending in your application.

but
you cannot drive outside of the UK.

 

[mofurt]

Sadly if you send it recorded it does not go direct. Goes to a central gov. Post room and then via internal mail. I was told this by DVLA when I went to collect licences in person . They advised me against sending it that way.crazy but hey its a government organisation you can't expect efficiency.

The problem comes when things go wrong and you need to show that you did send it in - so perhaps the possible delay is worth being able to have something in your hand to say you sent it (even though that could just prove you sent an empty envelope).

Guess the other alternative is to get a certificate of posting from the post office, so it would go more direct to DVLA and you can show you sent something.

 

[rb62]

Sadly if you send it recorded it does not go direct. Goes to a central gov. Post room and then via internal mail. I was told this by DVLA when I went to collect licences in person . They advised me against sending it that way.crazy but hey its a government organisation you can't expect efficiency.

I sent mine recorded and it was opened, stamped and put on the pile the following day.

 

[tonka]

Sent for our grandsons provisional in May... Finally received in late November.
I tried all the ways, telephone, chat etc. Finally sent an email after ticking all the boxes and saying it was over 20 weeks. It then arrived within a week.

 

[Cinderz]

Is the 20 weeks a "standard" On 16th September I foolishly taxed my car for a year (it wasn't due until 1st October) then within days bought another car and taxed it, selling my previous one to my daughter. The information on their website states you have to wait 8 weeks for the refund, phoned last week, 14 weeks later to be told yes they could see I was due a full refund and it would be passed to the appropriate department to be checked and would then be refunded in 6 weeks time. 20 weeks? why.

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[Sedge5]

Does anyone know how I contact DVLA, I’ve tried phoning, writing, complaining, I’ve sent everything recorded delivery, so all has been signed as received, But just over 3 months later I am still waiting for return of licence, also includes medical certificate. Has anyone waited longer, HELP

My application for age 70+, with a relatively minor medical issue, was outstanding for 6 months. After frustrating phone calls and dealing unsuccessfully with an online bot I emailed our MP saying that’s whilst a covering letter to show was ok it would not cover me to travel abroad. I received my new licence back within a few days of one of the MP’s underlings dealing with it

 

[tinkerbell]

Have tried all of what everyone has said except contacting my MP, he live opposite the main road from me, I may try him next. Will phone again after Xmas then try him.

 

[pappajohn]

Get your local MP on it
The more people that involve their MP the sooner something will be done about DVLA inefficiency....but don't expect it overnight.

 

[tinkerbell]

Will do, thanks everyone

 

[Jev88]

If you use recorded delivery it always takes longer. The post goes to a specified c office to be signed and accepted and then waits for internal transfer that can take weeks.

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[cyberyacht]

Sent off 21/06/21, still waiting

OH's was sent a couple of months before that and we've still heard nothing. They have to set up an appointment for an eye test so all that will take longer still. Chased via the web about 12 weeks ago and only an automated reply received.

 

[glenn2926]

I’ve just been checking on other forums I use. They’re motorcycling ones and there has been very little or no mention of any delays in licence renewals. Why people on this site are having all these problems I don’t know?
I renewed mine in September, it took 9 days of which at least 2 were the weekend before my new licence was dropped in the post box. This included dropping C+E but keeping C1+E and D1+E so not a straight renewal.
Perhaps there’s a conspiracy against motorhomers? .

 

[nicholsong]

I’ve just been checking on other forums I use. They’re motorcycling ones and there has been very little or no mention of any delays in licence renewals. Why people on this site are having all these problems I don’t know?
I renewed mine in September, it took 9 days of which at least 2 were the weekend before my new licence was dropped in the post box. This included dropping C+E but keeping C1+E and D1+E so not a straight renewal.
Perhaps there’s a conspiracy against motorhomers? .

But are you over 70?

Maybe it is the processing of the D4 Medical form for renewal of C1+E and D1+E that is the bottleneck.

Geoff

 

[Phill D]

It us the D4 process for over 70s.
My wife had here's back a straight no D4 renewal it took a week to arrive from online application to door mat.
It's the people intervention in the D4 process for over 70s.

 

[glenn2926]

But are you over 70?

Maybe it is the processing of the D4 Medical form for renewal of C1+E and D1+E that is the bottleneck.

Geoff

Quite possibly. No I’m not over 70 a few years to go yet. Is it all over 70s having trouble or just those with health issues? Like I said it only seems to be on this forum out of the ones I use.

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[Phill D]

Quite possibly. No I’m not over 70 a few years to go yet. Is it all over 70s having trouble or just those with health issues? Like I said it only seems to be on this forum out of the ones I use.

If you don't have medical issues and you are over 70 wanting your c1, they don't believe you.
So they arrange tests for you so they can find some.
Or at least that's how it feels.
I have no eyesight issues and yet had to have 2 specific eye tests but they wait until the good results of the 1st before they insist on the 2nd different test.
When that's is good they write to your gp to ask if you had any eyesight issues.

That took 8 months for me it's a complete and utter rubbish system.

 

[peterc10]

Quite possibly. No I’m not over 70 a few years to go yet. Is it all over 70s having trouble or just those with health issues? Like I said it only seems to be on this forum out of the ones I use.

No delays if applications can be made on line and are dealt with automatically by the DVLA,s computer systems. That would include motorcyclists and others that do not have a grandfather rights C1 or do not need it once they get to 70. The delays come when the DVLA's people are involved, and that includes renewal of C1s every 3 years after you are 70, which requires submission of a medical form. .

My wife and I turned 70 in the same year. She did not want to keep her C1 so she could do it on line and had her licence back within a few days. I had to keep my C1 (or sell our motorhome) so I had to do it by post and it took a lot longer. And it is even worse now because of Covid.

Mind you I was "lucky" because I had a clean bill of health. Those with medical conditions that are recorded on their medical form have to go to the DVLA's panel of doctors and they can be waiting for a lot longer.

If you use recorded delivery it always takes longer. The post goes to a specified c office to be signed and accepted and then waits for internal transfer that can take weeks.

As I understand it the post office signs it on the DVLA's behalf by the bag load. So one signature for each bag full. Then just delivers it to the DVLA's post room, where there it stays until it is opened weeks later.

 

[tinkerbell]

Yes over 70 and D4 medical, all okay, shouldn’t be a problem. I to have an automated reply, but still nothing, t think I will send one every day.
Surely someone using this site must work for the DVLA and can po point what the hold up is.

 

[glenn2926]

No delays if applications can be made on line and are dealt with automatically by the DVLA,s computer systems. That would include motorcyclists and others that do not have a grandfather rights C1 or do not need it once they get to 70. The delays come when the DVLA's people are involved, and that includes renewal of C1s every 3 years after you are 70, which requires submission of a medical form. .

My wife and I turned 70 in the same year. She did not want to keep her C1 so she could do it on line and had her licence back within a few days. I had to keep my C1 (or sell our motorhome) so I had to do it by post and it took a lot longer. And it is even worse now because of Covid.

Mind you I was "lucky" because I had a clean bill of health. Those with medical conditions that are recorded on their medical form have to go to the DVLA's panel of doctors and they can be waiting for a lot longer.


As I understand it the post office signs it on the DVLA's behalf by the bag load. So one signature for each bag. Then just delivers it to the DVLA's post room, where there it stays until it is opened weeks later.

My renewal could not be done online and I had to fill in a form and supply a photograph. I dropped C+E but kept C1+E and D1+E.
I sent it normal post as there was nothing in it that really mattered. I never send my old licence off after a traffic cop I know told me the new ones were coming back with previously held groups missing and without the original licence there is no proof of previously holding those groups.
As I said earlier It cost me nothing and the new licence dropped in the post box after 9 days. I dropped C+E as I cannot envisage me ever needing to drive a truck again. I can get it back just by having a medical at any time though.

 

[tinkerbell]

UPDATE
have had a reply to my complaint, it’s now been processed and I SHOULD receive it within 2 weeks. It obviously paid to complain ...... I think. Hope you all get yours soon