Driving Licence Application
Posted: 02 Jun 2019, 14:26
I created this new category and forum for other government departments. This particular thread for driving licence issues.
I have a particular reason for this as my application for return of my driving licence seems to have stalled somewhat so I have gone on the chase.
My first port of call was to the Meningioma FB support site that I subscribed to. I searched it for DVLA related issues. Some pretty bad horror stories of having to wait over 18 months in some cases to get your licence back! What is apparent from the posts though is that it is not a level playing field by any means. The processing of applications seems to be quite disjointed in many ways. I did pick up though that it is best to email complaints rather than telephone them. The telephone operators it would appear work from a script designed to delay their response. If you email them you have a paper trail.
Alarm bells regarding my application started to ring last night while browsing the DVLA site. I was actually looking to see if the Vehicle Tax that we paid for had arrived on the system. After checking that I noticed a link where you could check your own driving licence status so I followed it. You put your driver number in, NI number and postcode as ID checks. It then takes you to your driving licence status where you can see the categories you are qualified for and the status of any endorsements you may have. The problem with mine was that it states "You do not have any current driving entitlement". Bit of a slap in the face.
I have completed my 6 months suspension and expected to see some reference maybe to section 88 of the Road Traffic Act that allows you to drive if your doctor agrees that you are fit enough, which mine does.
One of the deciding factors of whether or not you get you licence back in a timely manner seems to rest on whether you surrendered or were revoked, the latter being a bit of an arbitrary decision when invoked.
My case in point goes like this. I was advised by my doctor not to drive on day one when I presented with my symptoms, I had already made that decision before I went to see him as my symptoms of temporary loss of function down one side were not conducive to correct control of a vehicle. I maintained this voluntary don't drive policy right through the stages of diagnosis and eventual surgery in early October. I was in hospital for three weeks and on discharge, the notes from my consultant advised me that I should inform the DVLA of my circumstances and condition which I did. This was late October.
I went online, downloaded the one form fits all medical questionnaire and with a bit of guidance from my doctor, filled it in to the best of my ability and sent it off to the DVLA. About 5 weeks later on the 04/12/18 they wrote back to me to say "you must not drive" and that my licence would be revoked (cancelled) from 05/12/18. I returned my licence on 06/12/18. The letter said that I had to surrender my licence for a period of six months and suggesting that I apply for it's return 8 weeks before the suspension time was up. It also stated that if I did not agree with their decision I could apply through my local magistrates court if I wished to appeal.
I got an appointment to see my doctor on Monday 22/04/19. I asked him to do neurological and strength tests and asked him to confirm on my notes that I was fit to drive. He put me through my paces and agreed that there was no reason why I should not apply for my licence back. As an aside I asked if I was OK to go back to blood donors and he also said there was nothing to the contra that should preclude me form that course either.
I picked up a D1 Driving Licence Application pack from the Post Office on my way back from the doctors and popped into the photo booth at the same time to get my picture taken for the licence. Spent the afternoon filling in the form and another 6 page specific medical questionnaire targeted this time a bit nearer to what had actually been wrong with me. The main thrust of my replies on here apart from all the dates and consultant and doctor contacts was that I had been medication free since discharge from hospital on the 24/10/18 and had never had a seizure either before or after surgery. I shoved it all in the black plastic bag provided in the pack along with a cheque for the new licence and copies of all positive correspondence from my consultant and physio's who had got me back fit enough to drive. I sent it next day tracked delivery before 1pm and it cost me £6.60 for the privilege. It was signed for at 07.50am in Swansea the next day.
Since then I have heard, nothing, no emails, phone calls or letters. In all fairness they have until Wednesday of this next week to deliver on time but they do say that if you have not heard from them within 3 weeks of your application you should contact them.
This is what I have done today, the email is an anonymous destination affair done online after selecting various radio buttons on the nature of your enquiry. It should get to the right department. After filling in the online form you get a reference for the email which is the start of the paper trail if required depending on their response. I have asked them to process my application in a timely manner and if there is to be a delay to issue me with a section 88 covering letter for the interim. Section 88 is there specifically to allow you to drive until all the medical checks are completed. We shall see.
If stopped by the constabulary or involved in an accident. All driver check are done via the Police National Computer which links into DVLA records, insurance databases etc. I put our new cars details on the insurance last night, quite painlessly online and I now have new documents that I can download referencing the same. Problem is, first check would reveal "no current driving entitlement" which then renders insurance null and void.
DVLA still does not acknowledge the £200.00 Vehicle Excise Duty I paid for yesterday. That would indicate that the so called automatic online system still requires human intervention of some kind. I will check again tomorrow, they took the payment OK by credit card and I have a receipt. No wriggle room for them there.
2 mins later, just checked online and you have to allow 5 days for the Vehicle Tax status to update. Begs the question what happens if you get stopped or picked up on ANPR cameras before then. Do the auto fine issuing computers do benefit of the doubt for 5 days? I could go to the car tomorrow and find it clamped.
I have a particular reason for this as my application for return of my driving licence seems to have stalled somewhat so I have gone on the chase.
My first port of call was to the Meningioma FB support site that I subscribed to. I searched it for DVLA related issues. Some pretty bad horror stories of having to wait over 18 months in some cases to get your licence back! What is apparent from the posts though is that it is not a level playing field by any means. The processing of applications seems to be quite disjointed in many ways. I did pick up though that it is best to email complaints rather than telephone them. The telephone operators it would appear work from a script designed to delay their response. If you email them you have a paper trail.
Alarm bells regarding my application started to ring last night while browsing the DVLA site. I was actually looking to see if the Vehicle Tax that we paid for had arrived on the system. After checking that I noticed a link where you could check your own driving licence status so I followed it. You put your driver number in, NI number and postcode as ID checks. It then takes you to your driving licence status where you can see the categories you are qualified for and the status of any endorsements you may have. The problem with mine was that it states "You do not have any current driving entitlement". Bit of a slap in the face.
I have completed my 6 months suspension and expected to see some reference maybe to section 88 of the Road Traffic Act that allows you to drive if your doctor agrees that you are fit enough, which mine does.
One of the deciding factors of whether or not you get you licence back in a timely manner seems to rest on whether you surrendered or were revoked, the latter being a bit of an arbitrary decision when invoked.
My case in point goes like this. I was advised by my doctor not to drive on day one when I presented with my symptoms, I had already made that decision before I went to see him as my symptoms of temporary loss of function down one side were not conducive to correct control of a vehicle. I maintained this voluntary don't drive policy right through the stages of diagnosis and eventual surgery in early October. I was in hospital for three weeks and on discharge, the notes from my consultant advised me that I should inform the DVLA of my circumstances and condition which I did. This was late October.
I went online, downloaded the one form fits all medical questionnaire and with a bit of guidance from my doctor, filled it in to the best of my ability and sent it off to the DVLA. About 5 weeks later on the 04/12/18 they wrote back to me to say "you must not drive" and that my licence would be revoked (cancelled) from 05/12/18. I returned my licence on 06/12/18. The letter said that I had to surrender my licence for a period of six months and suggesting that I apply for it's return 8 weeks before the suspension time was up. It also stated that if I did not agree with their decision I could apply through my local magistrates court if I wished to appeal.
I got an appointment to see my doctor on Monday 22/04/19. I asked him to do neurological and strength tests and asked him to confirm on my notes that I was fit to drive. He put me through my paces and agreed that there was no reason why I should not apply for my licence back. As an aside I asked if I was OK to go back to blood donors and he also said there was nothing to the contra that should preclude me form that course either.
I picked up a D1 Driving Licence Application pack from the Post Office on my way back from the doctors and popped into the photo booth at the same time to get my picture taken for the licence. Spent the afternoon filling in the form and another 6 page specific medical questionnaire targeted this time a bit nearer to what had actually been wrong with me. The main thrust of my replies on here apart from all the dates and consultant and doctor contacts was that I had been medication free since discharge from hospital on the 24/10/18 and had never had a seizure either before or after surgery. I shoved it all in the black plastic bag provided in the pack along with a cheque for the new licence and copies of all positive correspondence from my consultant and physio's who had got me back fit enough to drive. I sent it next day tracked delivery before 1pm and it cost me £6.60 for the privilege. It was signed for at 07.50am in Swansea the next day.
Since then I have heard, nothing, no emails, phone calls or letters. In all fairness they have until Wednesday of this next week to deliver on time but they do say that if you have not heard from them within 3 weeks of your application you should contact them.
This is what I have done today, the email is an anonymous destination affair done online after selecting various radio buttons on the nature of your enquiry. It should get to the right department. After filling in the online form you get a reference for the email which is the start of the paper trail if required depending on their response. I have asked them to process my application in a timely manner and if there is to be a delay to issue me with a section 88 covering letter for the interim. Section 88 is there specifically to allow you to drive until all the medical checks are completed. We shall see.
If stopped by the constabulary or involved in an accident. All driver check are done via the Police National Computer which links into DVLA records, insurance databases etc. I put our new cars details on the insurance last night, quite painlessly online and I now have new documents that I can download referencing the same. Problem is, first check would reveal "no current driving entitlement" which then renders insurance null and void.
DVLA still does not acknowledge the £200.00 Vehicle Excise Duty I paid for yesterday. That would indicate that the so called automatic online system still requires human intervention of some kind. I will check again tomorrow, they took the payment OK by credit card and I have a receipt. No wriggle room for them there.
2 mins later, just checked online and you have to allow 5 days for the Vehicle Tax status to update. Begs the question what happens if you get stopped or picked up on ANPR cameras before then. Do the auto fine issuing computers do benefit of the doubt for 5 days? I could go to the car tomorrow and find it clamped.