DVLA being useless during the pandemic

[HustleRussell]

I have spent ages trying to find some kind of support or information relating to licence renewals at this time. My Mum's partner's licence expires in less than a week. The renewal application went in at the end of January.

Not only have we heard no response whatsoever, there is no information available and no way to contact the licencing agency.

How hard would it have been to put an FAQ up on the website which would at least confirm my suspicion that the driver is effectively unable to drive after the licence expiry until normal service resumes?

The automated chatbot on the website leads you through the whole process of inputting your information but when it gets to the point of putting you through to someone it simply times out.

The call centre hasn't been taking calls for at least a week. There is a recorded message which gives no information other than the fact that they aren't taking calls.

An e-mail results in an automated reply to the same effect.

I understand that these are exceptional circumstances, and I understand that they may not be processing applications for non-critical workers. I get it. However, why can't they just put some information out so that I'm not facing a total information blackout.

[SS2.]

Does the partner fulfil all of these criteria:

s/he has the support of his/her doctor to continue driving
s/he has had a valid licence
s/he only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
her/his application is less than a year old
her/his last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons
s/he is not currently disqualified
s/he wasn’t disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013

If so, they can continue to drive whilst the renewal process is underway..

[paintman]

Quick Google:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886...
and from within that link:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...

[HustleRussell]

SS2. said:

Does the partner fulfil all of these criteria:

s/he has the support of his/her doctor to continue driving
s/he has had a valid licence
s/he only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
her/his application is less than a year old
her/his last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons
s/he is not currently disqualified
s/he wasn’t disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013

If so, they can continue to drive whilst the renewal process is underway..

He is over 70, has limited mobility and suffers Alzheimer's disease to some degree so he is subject to annual driving assessments. We have sent the application, the assessors have sent a report supporting the renewal.

He currently holds a valid licence which expires on Wednesday.

I know that he may continue to drive while his licence has been sent off for renewal. However his licence expires on the 8th.

[HustleRussell]

paintman said:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...

That might be exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks.

[gazza285]

DVLA in useless shocker. What has that got to do with the pandemic?

[Drumroll]

Lets start with the fact there is a pandemic going on.

With what you have said do you really feel he is safe to drive?

The application will need to be reviewed by Doctors, do you not feel like they might have more important things to do?

[Pothole]

Drumroll said:

Lets start with the fact there is a pandemic going on.

With what you have said do you really feel he is safe to drive?

The application will need to be reviewed by Doctors, do you not feel like they might have more important things to do?

While I agree with you in principle, OP has said "the assessors" have enclosed a report supporting renewal.

[leyorkie]

Drumroll said:

Lets start with the fact there is a pandemic going on.

With what you have said do you really feel he is safe to drive?

The application will need to be reviewed by Doctors, do you not feel like they might have more important things to do?

The application went in end of January.
Please read before raising concerns that are unfounded

[Pothole]

HustleRussell said:

SS2. said:

Does the partner fulfil all of these criteria:

s/he has the support of his/her doctor to continue driving
s/he has had a valid licence
s/he only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
her/his application is less than a year old
her/his last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons
s/he is not currently disqualified
s/he wasn’t disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013

If so, they can continue to drive whilst the renewal process is underway..

He is over 70, has limited mobility and suffers Alzheimer's disease to some degree so he is subject to annual driving assessments. We have sent the application, the assessors have sent a report supporting the renewal.

He currently holds a valid licence which expires on Wednesday.

I know that he may continue to drive while his licence has been sent off for renewal. However his licence expires on the 8th.

Might be a good time to reassess whether he really needs to drive anyway, no?

[jondude]

It is the same everywhere, except banks still seem very good at taking and making payments...

Argos and Virgin Media made me laugh as they tend to say 'Due to the demands of our services being extra high right now.....we are closing our chat services and most call centres' !!!

[Bone Rat]

You state he is licensed after a driving assessment, that is probably the issue. None are being done at the moment, anywhere

[unident]

HustleRussell said:

He is over 70, has limited mobility and suffers Alzheimer's disease to some degree so he is subject to annual driving assessments. We have sent the application, the assessors have sent a report supporting the renewal.

He currently holds a valid licence which expires on Wednesday.

I know that he may continue to drive while his licence has been sent off for renewal. However his licence expires on the 8th.

Doesn’t he meet the criteria for shielding and so should be at home for 12 weeks, rather than driving around?

[C Lee Farquar]

For my HGV licence I have to have a medical as part of the renewal, I was tight on time but the advice was it was ok to drive whilst it was being processed.

If I were over 70 and ill I don't think I'd be too bothered either way if I had an urgent need to drive.

[XCP]

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

[HustleRussell]

Thanks for the helpful responses, I think paintman has the answer.

To the rest of you, may you never experience disability or old age lest somebody who has never met you might one day decide that you shouldn’t have a driving licence.

End!

[Pica-Pica]

SS2. said:

Does the partner fulfil all of these criteria:

s/he has the support of his/her doctor to continue driving
s/he has had a valid licence
s/he only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
her/his application is less than a year old
her/his last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons
s/he is not currently disqualified
s/he wasn’t disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013

If so, they can continue to drive whilst the renewal process is underway..

This 100x . If you have a doctor’s or consultant’s approval, you may continue to drive under the Road Traffic Act 1988 while an application is underway.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/secti...

Ignore some of the crap written on here.

[unident]

Mobilecommute said:

unident said:

Doesn’t he meet the criteria for shielding and so should be at home for 12 weeks, rather than driving around?

He will still need a licence after 12 weeks though won't he? Bellend.

Think before you type FFS.

12 weeks is 3 months, that gives a lot of time. People shouldn’t be driving much anyway now. Shielding amd staying home is a thing.

People seem to think that they’re the only ones affected by this. DVLA will have staff going down with the virus, or self isolating too, they will also have to reduce staff to ensure those working are a minimum of 2 metres apart, as few offices cater for this automatically. Most businesses with call centres are finding it difficult to answer the phones / get through all. Their work as workloads and calls have increased significantly alongside the reduction in staff numbers.

I’ve explained it politely, it’s not difficult is it. I see that some people still resort to namecalling and have no ability to think beyond their own little sphere, as if it makes them some sort of hero.

Maybe you could have a go at your GP, or a nurse, or McDonalds next.

[XCP]

Friend of a friend works at Swansea. Situation is as you describe , and not getting any better.

[Bone Rat]

XCP said:

Friend of a friend works at Swansea. Situation is as you describe , and not getting any better.

Yes, as described, there's also likely to be prioritisation of resources. Haulage taking priority over others, we need to keep fuel, food and emergency vehicle drivers going at expense of inconvenience