Grr dvla (1 Viewer)

[Tezza]

Back in May I suffered a blackout whilst cycling, Dvla took my licence immediately and I was told no driving for 6 months.
undertook the usual tests, heart scan fine, brain scan fine, stress test fully completed and passed with flying colours, con
sultant put my miss adventure down to dehydration on the day, anyway been fine since, no more episodes so paid my £85 to the doctor and reapplied for my licence with c1 entitlement 8 weeks before my 6 months were up.
Now two months past my date, still waiting, I call the dvla once a week on Thursday or Friday to see if there are any signs of a licence and it’s a bit like little Britain, computer says no, you are on the priority list can’t help more than that, been on this priority list for 5 bloody weeks now, what a waste of time.
Is anyone else suffering the same at the moment or know if there are known delays.

 

[PeteH]

And there are people who wonder why, some don`t report such happenings?. The Swansea Home for the Bewildered, is not and never has been fit for purpose!.

 

[Geo]

Does your insurance contain the wording
Holds or has held and is not prohibited from driving give you an allowance to drive in these circumstances?

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[chaser]

Applied to renew my licence at 73, last Thursday dropped through the door Monday morning.

 

[Phill D]

suggestion only!!

when you next ring and you have gone through the nice chat up bits to get your license and there is no progress;
ask to speak to a manager to explain to you why there is such a long delay.
if you dont get anywhere
Tell them that you have complied in all respects with their procedures, fulfilled all medical requirements and given adequate time for them to action reinstating your licence.
therefore could you please have either your driving licence or a hard copy of their complaints procedure forms in the post by the end of the week..

probably do no good, but it just may give them the nudge you need.

 

[Phill D]

on the other hand i could be just wasting your time.....

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[gus-lopez]

Aren't there 6 month delays regularly reported for anything that needs to go to the medical panel ?

 

[sedge]

Yes - medical panel only meets a certain number of times a year, so it takes however long it takes I'm afraid.

 

[nicholsong]

Back in May I suffered a blackout whilst cycling, Dvla took my licence immediately and I was told no driving for 6 months.
undertook the usual tests, heart scan fine, brain scan fine, stress test fully completed and passed with flying colours, con
sultant put my miss adventure down to dehydration on the day, anyway been fine since, no more episodes so paid my £85 to the doctor and reapplied for my licence with c1 entitlement 8 weeks before my 6 months were up.
Now two months past my date, still waiting, I call the dvla once a week on Thursday or Friday to see if there are any signs of a licence and it’s a bit like little Britain, computer says no, you are on the priority list can’t help more than that, been on this priority list for 5 bloody weeks now, what a waste of time.
Is anyone else suffering the same at the moment or know if there are known delays.

I suffer a blackout every night but don't tell the DVLA.

Was it you or your Doctor who told them?

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[Puddleduck]

Private message sent as I have been in the exact same situation and after the 6 months of no re-occurrence was waiting almost a year .... just a note of what I did and the outcome.

It all worked out in the end except my new licence isn't quite the same as my old one as the new one has a full C on it (plus the date I am supposed to have passed the test) and full motorbike licence but no +E. As long as I have B and C1 I am covered so will not rock the boat any more.

 

[68062]

Call them, ask for a name who you are taking to and for them to confirm the date and time, use your mobile to record their response, ask them for a specific date and time within 72 hours that your driving licence will be reissued and that if not, that they can take a phone call in a period of a further 72hours from your appointed solicitors, say that if within those periods no action is taken, you will hold them liable for all costs associated with further delay including the costs of a chauffeur and any legal costs. If the person you are speaking to will not accept liability demand to be moved up the line of command until you speak with someone who can take such costs on behalf of the DVLA. Make sure you have a solicitor ready to make said call and sue for costs and inconvenience. A delay in their processing is not a reasonable excuse or defence under civil law and they will be found liable. You do not need to attend court your legal representative will do this for you. However the call from you should prompt your issuance of your licence.

 

[Puddleduck]

Yes - medical panel only meets a certain number of times a year, so it takes however long it takes I'm afraid.

There are a few different panels, some meet more often than others. If your case is not heard it is held over to the next panel so for a panel that only meets every 3 months there can be a very long wait.

In some cases it is an easy decision and that CAN be made under devolved powers by a DVLA official who is qualified and authorised to to do so - but very few would be willing to take the responsibility.

I have sent a conversation to Tezza with my experience and how I managed to resolve the situation - hope it works for him (or her).

If I was ever in a similar situation I would surrender my licence on a voluntary basis and when fit again ask for it back as my understanding (if correct) is one can drive immediately in those circumstances but don't take my word for that, check out the reality at the time.

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[PeteH]

Just Curious? How did they know?.

 

[Puddleduck]

Just Curious? How did they know?.

It's a legal requirement to tell them.

If your consultant has any doubts about you complying then he or she has a duty to inform but has to tell you. It was my Dad's dementia consultant who informed the DVLA about him as Mum kept putting off letting them know.

 

[PeteH]

My thoughts where that being an obvious "one off" occurrence?. I mean cycling?, cause and effect. Fall off and Black out, OR Black out and fall off?

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[Puddleduck]

My thoughts where that being an obvious "one off" occurrence?. I mean cycling?, cause and effect. Fall off and Black out, OR Black out and fall off?

Or (in my case) not sure which came first when I came round. The cycle helmet was cracked though.

 

[Tezza]

Thanks for all your replies, mine was Blackout then fall off, I know/knew nothing, came around being attended to by wife and a kind motorist that was passing and stopped, I was blocking the road apparently, single track road in Durness didnt take a lot of doing.

 

[westhamman]

If you feel the need to complain officially and it does sometimes help, as complaints departments are on timescales in public bodies as much as anybody and managers bonuses could be then why not use Resolver they clearly know who and how to complain, never used them but if Martin lewis from money savings recommends them probably ok.

Previously not sure if it's still the case but if my Inspector received a letter of complaint from an MP then it had to actioned and replied to forthwith. Strange the inspector used to pass the action side down the line and being at the bottom before PCSOs that was meant me. Lower than a snakes belly Fisher that's you, he would say.

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[Puddleduck]

If you feel the need to complain officially and it does sometimes help, as complaints departments are on timescales in public bodies as much as anybody

The Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman deals with complains about the DVLA. You have to access the service via your MP. In my case I had to tell my MP about the ombudsman but once the complaint had been made I had my licence back in less than a week after waiting for more than a year (about 20 months after my one off episode).

 

[westhamman]

Puddleduck, for info purposes , did you have to make your own complaint to the dvla before going to ombudsman or did you go straight to mp. Your complaint to the mp meant he learnt something new that day, he is better able now to do his job plus by helping you may possibly have won your vote in a election.

 

[Puddleduck]

Puddleduck, for info purposes , did you have to make your own complaint to the dvla before going to ombudsman or did you go straight to mp. Your complaint to the mp meant he learnt something new that day, he is better able now to do his job plus by helping you may possibly have won your vote in a election.

You have to make an official complaint to the DVLA first - copy in your MP for his or her information and warning that they may be asked to become involved. I made a list of all the times I had contacted the DVLA, date, time, person I spoke to and a summary of the conversation plus copies of the holding letters I had received form them. I gave them a week (5 working days from receipt of my letter sent special delivery) to restore the licence or provide me with a full and complete report by a medical professional* of why they made the decision in case I needed to appeal or take matters further - remember this was well over a year since it should have been sorted - I had no contact from them after 10 days, not even a holding letter, so then I asked my MP to get involved.

Once the MP was involved and the Ombudsman contacted the DVLA did extract their digits and a very pleasant senior manager phoned to ask me a few additional questions. I was then told I could drive again and my new licence would be issued that day. I waited until it was in my hands before I did drive the car though. The manager was more interested in why I wanted the C1 licence than anything else and we spoke for quite a while about motorhomes and heavy cars and driving vintage farm vehicles.

*I already had two reports (six months apart) from my specialist stating that they had carried out exhaustive tests in the falls clinic and I was fit to drive. They also included copies of the test results so no room for doubt as to stress tests etc.

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[Riverbankannie]

We also had to resort to a complaint to CEO with copy to our MP. The one year allowance that you are given under section 88 of the road traffic act, was nearly up.

 

[Puddleduck]

We also had to resort to a complaint to CEO with copy to our MP. The one year allowance that you are given under section 88 of the road traffic act, was nearly up.

Just to be clear (and this is not a dig at you Riverbankannie) but if the DVLA has rescinded your licence then section 88 does not apply. If you voluntarily hand back your licence and then ask for it back then section 88 does apply which is why it is better to voluntarily give them your licence than have them ask for it back. If I had known that at the time there would have been a lot less grief all round.

I'm glad you got it sorted but we should not have to go to these lengths to have decisions made.

I was concerned that the DVLA would take the easy option of just saying "no" if I pressed too hard but then I would have appealed. the rules in Scotland for appeal are different to the rest of the UK and the time for appeal is much shorter - after it was sorted I asked my MP about that as well as often letters from the DVLA take two weeks or more to arrive. He took that up with the then minister of justice and I was assured that they were aware of issues within the DVLA and the clock would start the day the letter arrived rather than the date the letter was supposedly written. Luckily I did not have to test that.

 

[27 TUG]

Hi when you renew at 70 and to keep C1do I have too send photos if I give them the passport No and a fee

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[Puddleduck]

Hi when you renew at 70 and to keep C1do I have too send photos if I give them the passport No and a fee

I think it depends on how recent your passport photo is.

No doubt someone will be able to give better information soon.

EDIT: More info here

Change the photo on your driving licence

You can change the photo on your driving licence online at any time by renewing your licence - cost, how to pay and apply, applying by post.

www.gov.uk

 

[Riverbankannie]

Just to be clear (and this is not a dig at you Riverbankannie) but if the DVLA has rescinded your licence then section 88 does not apply. If you voluntarily hand back your licence and then ask for it back then section 88 does apply which is why it is better to voluntarily give them your licence than have them ask for it back. If I had known that at the time there would have been a lot less grief all round.

I'm glad you got it sorted but we should not have to go to these lengths to have decisions made.

I was concerned that the DVLA would take the easy option of just saying "no" if I pressed too hard but then I would have appealed. the rules in Scotland for appeal are different to the rest of the UK and the time for appeal is much shorter - after it was sorted I asked my MP about that as well as often letters from the DVLA take two weeks or more to arrive. He took that up with the then minister of justice and I was assured that they were aware of issues within the DVLA and the clock would start the day the letter arrived rather than the date the letter was supposedly written. Luckily I did not have to test that.

Yes, sorry, I was only considering renewal.

 

[hymerman]

27 TUG
No extra photo required and no fee.
Just fill in the form, include medical form filled in by GP, eye test from optician, enclose your current photo driving license.
It's all made very clear what to do on the application sent to you.
Mine just came back today , applied for on 8 Jan.
To be safe I did send it by Track and Trace by Royal Mail.

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[27 TUG]

Hi thanks for information very helpful Andy

 

[Rogerlathbury]

Back in May I suffered a blackout whilst cycling, Dvla took my licence immediately and I was told no driving for 6 months.
undertook the usual tests, heart scan fine, brain scan fine, stress test fully completed and passed with flying colours, con
sultant put my miss adventure down to dehydration on the day, anyway been fine since, no more episodes so paid my £85 to the doctor and reapplied for my licence with c1 entitlement 8 weeks before my 6 months were up.
Now two months past my date, still waiting, I call the dvla once a week on Thursday or Friday to see if there are any signs of a licence and it’s a bit like little Britain, computer says no, you are on the priority list can’t help more than that, been on this priority list for 5 bloody weeks now, what a waste of time.
Is anyone else suffering the same at the moment or know if there are known delays.

I am diabetic, reported to DVLA as on insulin about 5 years ago, they decided my c1. We are looking for a heavier MH as so applied for my c1. At the beginning the DVLA were helpful and explained the process, then sent the forms to me. Had my medical and sent the paperwork back to the DVLA in October. They then sent another form for me to fill in, which asked similar question to the first form. I called them to point this out and all they would say that, that is the process, so filled it in and sent it back. They then sent me a letter saying I needed another medical and to make an appointment with my doctor. When I met with the doctor he told me that the new form asked for the same information as the first but wired differently. That was at Christmas, still awaiting an answer some three months later. My conclusion, jobs worth bureaucrats, which are government funded and therefore we pay for.

 

[Tezza]

Update, licence has just been approved woo how only took 8 and a half months but not with the C1 so van being recatogrised down from 3.65 T to 3.5 tonne and all good I hope.
Reason for c1 refusal reading the letter is because my blackout was an unexplained event and cannot be controlled with medication, my doctors put it down as dehydration on the day.
Anyway woo how I’m back on the road, happy days.

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