Problem renewing driving license

Hi @JaneC
Take a look at this webpage - it explains the current DVLA timescales and delays. It's pretty horrendous.

 

My licence is still renewed on a 3 yearly basis if I pass all medical targets. 2 years ago I had to wait 14 months to receive a licence, but at least was told to carry the DVLA's covering letter should I be stopped by the Police. I had a blowout in a T4 van in a highly dangerous situation, and as luck would have it, the Police arrived within minutes. They were not entirely convinced by the DVLA's claim, but gave me the benefit of the doubt. Have you had any notification to say that your old licence is still valid until they have processed your medical information? If not, I would arm yourself with something like a puzzle, magazine, ring the DVLA again and sit listening to the monotonous plastic music. It's worth it in the end. Good luck!

 

Hi. I last renewed my licence a couple of years ago before their delays. I recall their documents stating that your licence renewal is effective from the renewal date subject to you having submitted your renewal documentation and until it is either approved or declined. I would hope that’s still their position today.

 

Hey there,
I have received my licence today after approx 6 weeks waiting!

 

We applied for licence renewal on the 9th September. The backlog is not good. This is just an ordinary licence, not for medical reasons, but due to it needing to be renewed as 10 years old.

 

I had this at the start of the pandemic. Type 1, medical cancelled when the GP stopped seeing everyone.

I got through on the phone by phoning one of the numbers for tax renewal, i.e a phone for collecting money and pretending I'd been given that number. I was transferred directly to renewals where the chap said not to worry and that I could continue to drive, made a note on my case file should the Police ring.

Long story short, I haven't had the medical but a nice new licence valid for 3 years popped through the door a couple of months ago...

 

How do you get DVL A to confirm receipt of your application if you can't get through on the phone? Do you just email them? I'm coming up to renewing my licence, so please could you post the medical phone number. Thanks in advance.

 

Thank you. I'd normally have had my renewal letter by now, as my current licence runs out in January, so it would seem they're behind on that as well.

 

That surprises me as I would have thought it would be a computerised system spewing out letters at the appropriate time with no (or little) human intervention.