DVLA advice

[NorthDave]

Hi All

In December 2024 I had a medical episode that I had to declare to the DVLA and take 12 months off driving. No big deal.

I saw my GP and then a consultant in January 2025 and haven't seen either since as no need.

I was eligible to apply for my license back two months before so mid October I filled all the forms out and sent them off.

Despite calling loads of times, filling the online complaint form out (twice) and sending a registered complaint letter I've still not got my license or any communication from them.

My Dr did phone at the end of Feb to ask if I'd had any more issues as the DVLA has sent them a form. I think this was as a result of a chasing call.

Long story short - my license is 5 months overdue and they've had the application for 7 months.

How on earth do I escalate this? They don't react to their own online complaint form, phone calls or written complaints.

Any thoughts? Thanks I'm advance.

[mike13]

I’m going through a similar episode at the moment, are you not entitled to drive under section 88 whilst waiting?

[sherman]

I went through this exact issue.
Make sure you have all your paperwork ready.

Your DVLA application form
Your FEP1 form

A letter from your GP/consultant stating that you are medically fit to drive.
You will probably need to write a physical letter to your GP to get them to send you a letter on headed paper stating that your fit to drive back

Also check your consultant has actually submitted your medical records to the DVLAs medical deptartment. Time for being nice has passed its time to get on with your life so make sure the others have done their job.

Once you have these send it all to your MP stating that this is affecting your ability to work/ mental health / etc and then keep badgering your MP every few days until you get a satisfactory response.

It took me a few weeks of pressuring my MP to get a letter back from the DVLA confirming my licence was on its way.

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 14th April 20:52

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 14th April 20:52

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 14th April 20:53

[NorthDave]

It did mention S88 in the letter but I read it as you aren't eligible if your license has been revoked - which mine has.

I did query on the phone with them and they said something along the lines of "you may be able to drive if you think you meet all the criteria". I did ask if that would have any merit if I had an accident or got pulled over. I'm not sure the insurance would even let me be on the car without a license!

[NorthDave]

sherman said:

I went through this exact issue.
Make sure you have all your paperwork ready.

Your DVLA application form
Your FEP1 form

A letter from your GP/consultant stating that you are medically fit to drive.
You will probably need to write a physical letter to your GP to get them to send you a letter on headed paper stating that your fit to drive back

Also check your consultant has actually submitted your medical records to the DVLAs medical deptartment. Time for being nice has passed its time to get on with your life so make sure the others have done their job.

Once you have these send it all to your MP stating that this is affecting your ability to work/ mental health / etc and then keep badgering your MP every few days until you get a satisfactory response.

It took me a few weeks of pressuring my MP to get a letter back from the DVLA confirming my licence was on its way.

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 14th April 20:52

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 14th April 20:52

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 14th April 20:53

Thanks a lot. I'll work out who the MP is and drop them a line.

[numtumfutunch]

My experience was similarly despicable a few years ago

Crucially, I was advised to surrender my licence by the person I got connected to on the phone from my hospital bed
This was one of the few times I got to speak to anyone and on reflection an absolute godsend

The main win of this was that I could just get my licence back with minimal bureaucracy when everything had settled and the docs agreed not re-apply for it, or something like that, and in the meantime could drive on Section 88 with medical evidence to support me from consultant and GP

They have a target of a year from receiving your application to issuing the new licence
Mine came through days before their deadline
I had submitted the complete works in support of my application including private reports from independent specialists as well as my medical records all of which met their criteria for me to get my licence back. The sign off would have been a total formality

In the interim it was tough, if not impossible, to talk to anyone and get sense on the phone. Emails were ignored
Although I was happy that Id be fine the stress and uncertainty of being kept in the dark was significant

My medical episode could easily have killed me or left me with serious disability. It didnt and this was obvious from a couple of days afterwards. Im grateful for this but it would have been nice to get my licence back within weeks not just under their own deadline of a year.

Driving around town gave me enormous freedom which I was grateful for, not being able to get a courtesy car when mine was serviced or rent a van for one of the kids house moves was inconvenient. As was being unable to fly overseas and get a hire car.

They are probably understaffed as is much of the public sector
If so I hope whoever signed off their staffing levels gets some karma to compensate for what I went through
And relax............

Good luck OP

[CHLEMCBC]

NorthDave said:

Thanks a lot. I'll work out who the MP is and drop them a line.

Write to Them will tell you who to write to based off your postcode.