Please read again the first line of your submission, viz; "Can I drive while my licence is with DVLA?" This must assume that it is a licence within the meaning of the Road Traffic Acts (various) as amended - which means a Licence and that is a current licence. It ceases to be a licence once it has expired. When Lord Kram first posted this question he was obviously asking whether he was legally entitled to drive with an expired licence - the Law clearly says not and you can refer to Archbold, Halsbury's and Stone's Justices' Manual if you do not believe me. It has always has been an offence to drive without a licence since 1930 and an expired licence is not a licence. Except for this year's publication of Stone's which I do not have and which may contradict me - there are no stated cases saving a driver coming before the Judiciary from conviction.The conviction is mandatory IRRESPECTIVE whether the Justices decide to award a conditional discharge. The reason the matter is so important is because some insurance companies insist upon the insured to be holding a valid licence and it is only valid if it is current. There are many stated cases that support me regarding whether an expired licence is a licence and whether an insurance company can avoid their responsibilities in such cases. The "has held" which most insurance companies will accept in the cases of failure to renew by accident is the small print one should always look for or ask about when renewing their policy. I do not know whether the DVLA will back date in some cases but I would think not as they are bound by the Law as well of course. However, one only has to go to court with a current licence to have the matter dismissed. Having been involved in such cases for over 55 years I feel entitled to make these comments - knowing that this would resurrect itself again I have been in touch with UK colleages and silks who, without exception, have supported me.