DVLA WAITING TIMES

Deep Owl said:
I sent my over-70 C1 forms to arrive at the DVLA on 24th November. They were passed to the Medical Assessment Dept. on 1st December (I have satisfactorily treated hypertension). When I rang this morning, nothing further had been done, and the lady said there was no time scale for it, in quite a sharp voice. I imagine she has faced a fair bit of flak. 😟😟😟😟

I delved further into the Medical Dept. to find the chief doctor, Dr Jenkins, had put forward a consultation paper in Nov/Dec re enabling more medical staff, e.g. practice nurses, to send a patient’s information to the DVLA if asked. I think they need rather more staff in the Dept. to assess the D4s!
Click to expand...
I wonder if contacting the Medical Assessment Dept stirred them up, because my C1 3–year licence came back today (till 6/4/25). Only 3 months, yippee 🥳.
 
Deep Owl said:
I wonder if contacting the Medical Assessment Dept stirred them up, because my C1 3–year licence came back today (till 6/4/25). Only 3 months, yippee 🥳.
Click to expand...
It probably did ,I think the same with mine after I chased ,mine was recieved within 2 weeks of chasing, (y)
 
sent my D2/D4 in December, received 7th. cheque for photo cashed 10th Jan. Date for processing is 14th December according to website so phoned. After 20 minute wait guy answered but 'could not hear me' and put the phone down. Went to chat and filled in all sorts of info, got to the end, no operator available. Went on calling over the next 3 hours but was greeted with all operators busy bye-bye. Eventually got through and it's waiting for a doctor. I have no medical problems and 20/20 long distance vision so I'm hoping this will gee them along. Rant over. Mike
 
Cheque arrived from the M5. £243.75 for 5 months refund. Going for a pint tonight.
 
Yippee my C1 license plus all other entitlements has just arrived all in around four weeks from postal application, only down side is expiry is 4 weeks earlier than old licence was dated to.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
2GB Racing said:
Yippee my C1 license plus all other entitlements has just arrived all in around four weeks from postal application, only down side is expiry is 4 weeks earlier than old licence was dated to.
Click to expand...
I think if you apply with more than 56 days left on your old license they treat it as a renewal and it runs for 3 years from the original expiry date. If there is less than 56 days when you apply they issue a new license which runs for 3 years from the date they issue it.
 
I have checked on the website and my C1/D1 has been approved after managing to get through to them last week. All categories present. Just waiting for the post to deliver. This is after them having my application since December 7th with no stated health problems. Means they are over a month late in the dates they say they are processing.
Received a letter today from them saying I have a renewal application with them and can continue to drive if the doctor says I am fit to and not disqualified etc,. so I suppose another week‘s wait for the licence to arrive, we’ll see. Mike

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I knew not about being able to check the progress or lack of on the DVLA website and have been getting concerned as it ran out on the 11th of Feb. I have heard nothing from them but my cheque was returned.
I have just looked on the website and lo and behold my C1 has been renewed until 9 of Feb 2025
I was expecting to have to go in front of some sort of medical board as I have a medical condition, so providing the license turns up it's a welcome bit of good news in these depressing times.:cautious:
 
Looking at this is it any surprise that they do not respond to enquiries,surely this suggests the DVLA has lost control.It has to be remembered that more applications come in every day. Something has to change.

C4E8FFA1-2B09-4B24-9194-A6A75B812BA5.jpeg
 
Ex-caravantugger said:
I have checked on the website and my C1/D1 has been approved after managing to get through to them last week. All categories present. Just waiting for the post to deliver. This is after them having my application since December 7th with no stated health problems. Means they are over a month late in the dates they say they are processing.
Received a letter today from them saying I have a renewal application with them and can continue to drive if the doctor says I am fit to and not disqualified etc,. so I suppose another week‘s wait for the licence to arrive, we’ll see. Mike
Click to expand...
Interesting that your renewal has come through after you contacted them. The same happened to Jimbohorlicks and me, within a week or so. Must be the way to go.

As I wrote in #202, the Med Ass Dept is 0300 790 6806. Anyone who needs could try it.
 
I did actually email Grant Shapps as he is directly responsible for DVLA and today received a reply from the DVLA Complaints Team, yes there appears to be one, who bollocked me for not going through the right channels and are sorry to hear of my circumstances. They also state they are experiencing ‘a high demand for our services’. Yeah? Do something about it then!! Mike
 
As another who has been on the post-70 roundabout I now have an interesting update/conclusion.
Brief summary: I applied in September 2 months before my birthday. Medical etc. included. Nothing was heard until December when I was invited to do the treadmill test. Finally got it sorted in January (having moved house in the meantime but kept original appointment to avoid another delay). Passed treadmill with flying colours, doc said 'nothing to prevent you getting the license'.

Received a letter dated February 4th saying I was only being issued with a one-year renewal 'due to my medical condition'.
I wrote back, challenging the decision and adding I'd be grateful if they would 'tell me what this mystery medical condition is so I can seek treatment'.

Having heard nothing I started calling DVLA. Numerous redialing finally got me in the queue and it was eventually picked up (1hr, 5 minutes). I was fobbed off the first time but tried again this week and hit the jackpot.
The lady accepted something wasn't right and said she would message the right person for attention. Equally importantly she revealed that they have a priority system, I was on the 3rd level but she elevated me to 1st. The call I received the next day (yesterday) was from the person who signed the February letter (Claire Hughes. She revealed that each case is allocated and stays with that person until completed/resolved.)
We had a long, amicable chat. The so-called medical condition was an incident in 2010 that had no consequence. Because it mentioned possible angina that set the hares running even though the case was long-closed by my doctors. And despite that it will remain as an 'issue' as long as I still want a C1.
But that wasn't the core point, which was that I had apparently ticked an additional box on the D2 to drive buses and HGVs! I'm prepared to hold my hand up to my error but I recall the form was far from clear over what boxes to tick so only a brief hand in the air. We agreed that apart from my normal car entitlement I will also retain my C1 but definitely no HGV license. So now she says I will be issued with my new license tomorrow or Monday and for the full 3 years.
Furthermore she claimed that the 3-yearly renewal should be more straightforward as at their end they start by checking your application against the last one and only follow-up anything that's different
It took some effort, I recognise I contributed to part of the issue but now I feel I have a better strategy for dealing with DVLA and hopefully will be better informed at how they work. In particular knowing that you remain a 3rd level priority unless you chase and get moved up when they appear to deal with pretty immediately.
I would also add that despite what I might be feeling inside my tactic is to keep calm, polite and cooperative with the poor sod who has to deal with these matters, it seems to garner a positive response.

Hope that helps folks.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I’m 73 shortly, April, I sent off my licence on Tuesday I did the renewal online, it asked do you want to keep your entitlements. I answered yes in the box, it’s come back today Friday and still got my c1etc. Result.
 
wasp said:
I’m 73 shortly, April, I sent off my licence on Tuesday I did the renewal online, it asked do you want to keep your entitlements. I answered yes in the box, it’s come back today Friday and still got my c1etc. Result.
Click to expand...
I guess you have no notifiable medical matters, that appears to be where the big delays come into play
 
Ah yes you’re right.
 
Received my licence last week after 13 weeks. I have since received a letter saying my licence has been granted. The bottom line states “if your medical condition gets worse or your doctor tells you not to drive, please let us know”. I DON’T HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION!!! Arrrggghhhh Mike
 
2bob said:
sent for my c1 of on the 22dec -your item was delivered on 29-12-2021.we see how long it takes if no no problems
Click to expand...


well had a bit of luck not with dvla got through in 20min then after a chat they said il pass you to the medical waited 10 min THEN my phon battery went dead errr well at least it moving

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
My 70+ written application and medical went in by post in December. Licence arrived on the mat yesterday. High blood pressure only issue but controlled by meds and well within limits. Used online doctor service who turned out to be a GP earning extra.
 
i think its wonderful what they regard as a "condition" back in 2009 i had a heart attack and had a stent fitted.. the hospital recommended i dont drive for a month - which i thought was sensible and did so, when i rang up the dvlc to clarify their stance they said no problem - carry on :eek:
 
My licence has finally been issued on 4th April, applied for the beginning of July last year. When it expires in 3 years I shall probably give up the C1, its just too much hassle and expense.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top