DVLA’s warning on driving licence delays
A vast number of motorists have been impacted by huge delays in renewing their licence due to DVLA backlogs that have built up during the pandemic. Some of the questions raised by drivers needing to renew their licence include:
- What is the latest situation at the DVLA?
- Can I still drive if my licence expires while I’m waiting for it to be renewed?
- How long will I have to wait to get m new licence?
The DVLA has warned drivers that they can expect a wait of up to six to ten weeks for their new licence. It could be even longer if applicants have a medical condition that means contacting their GP.
However, there are some complaints on social media that waiting times for licence renewal is running into several months as opposed to weeks.
So why are there such delays? Backlogs of driving licence renewals have built up because the DVLA has been hit by a series of strikes over Covid-19 safety measures.
To try and cope with the demand of the backlog, the DVLA has tried to increase its capacity by renting another office building and extending the opening hours of its call centre. The DVLA is also urging as many drivers as possible to apply or renew online via https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence.
Later this month, MPs sitting on Westminster’s transport committee will query DVLA officials over the delays.
It was reported last month that as many as 800,000 letters were waiting to be opened at the DVLA’s Swansea offices, with an additional 60,000 arriving each day.
Here is an update on what is currently going on, as well as what you can or cannot do.
Licence extensions
For motorists whose licenses expired between 1st February and 31st December 2020, the DVLA granted an 11-month extension. The extension began from the date your licence was due to expire.
Some of these extensions are now starting to expire, which is causing additional workload for the DVLA staff handling 2021 renewals.
Drivers do not get a new licence as part of the automatic extension, it’s only when they come to renew it.
Licences can be renewed online via https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence at any time before the extension finishes.
For licences expiring after 31st January 2021, these must be renewed as normal.
Can I still drive while waiting for my new licence?
The DVLA has said that you can continue to drive while forms are being processed, as long as:
- You haven’t been advised otherwise by your doctor or optician
- Submitted application forms must also be “completed” and “accurate”
Other conditions include:
- You must meet any conditions specified on your current application – and were entitled to drive on your previous licence
The DVLA has received your complete application within the last 12 months
Your last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons
You can only drive vehicles you have applied for on your current application – and were entitled to drive on your last licence
You are currently not disqualified from driving by a court
You were not disqualified as a high-risk offender on or after 1st June 2013 (such as a serious drink driving offence)
If you hold a Group 2 (lorry or bus) licence, your entitlement has not been suspended, revoked or refused by a traffic commissioner
When do you have to renew your driving licence?
You need to renew your photocard driving licence every 10 years, and you will be sent a reminder before your current licence expires.
The DVLA estimates there could be as many as 2 million photocards that are out of date. Yet, the fine for failing to renew your photocard licence can be up to £1,000.
Drivers whose licences are expiring in August 2021 should be starting to renew their licences now. This also applies to motorists whose licences expired in August to September last year but were automatically extended by 11 months.
You can check the expiry date by looking at section 4b on the front of your photocard.
The online renewal normally takes about a week and one of the key advantages of renewing online is having the certainty that the DVLA has your application and is processing it, enabling you to continue driving. Whereas, postal renewals, are taking significantly longer, and in some cases, the wait is as long as 10 weeks according to the DVLA.
Some motorists are reporting even longer waits.
To receive peace of mind that the DVLA has received their postal application, some drivers are sending them by recorded delivery, or using Post Office services. While applications are being “processed” by the DVLA, motorists can continue to drive, unless they have been advised otherwise by a doctor or optician.
Please note that new licences are valid from the renewal date, not from the expiry date of existing licences.
How do I renew my licence?
There are two ways to apply to renew your driving licence or replace a stolen one.
Online
Providing you have a UK passport to hand, you can apply online via the DVLA website.
Once you have completed the online application you should receive an email from the DVLA confirming they have received your application. Don’t forget to check your junk or spam folder in case the DVLA email has gone into that folder instead of your inbox.
By Post
You can obtain a form, known as a “D1 pack” which is available from most post offices. To find a post office that handles driving licence applications, visit the Post Office Branch finder service.
You can ask the Post Office to check and post your application or send it directly to:
DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DH.
The Post Office will charge an additional £4.50 to cover postage and to take your photo. This fee is on top of the £17 renewal fee. For more information on submitting applications via the Post Office, visit DVLA.
How much does it cost?
Online renewals cost £14, or £17 by post.
If you use post offices to check and post your application, there’s an additional fee of £4.50 to cover the cost of taking your photo and posting the application.
What if I’m aged 70 years or older?
When a driver reaches the age of 70 they have to renew their driving licence and every three years after that. The good news is that this process is free. According to the latest DVLA figures, more than 60% of motorists aged over 70 are choosing to renew online.
Check that the details are correct
You can easily run into trouble if you don’t check that the details on your application are correct. For example, if you have moved house in the past ten years, you will need to provide the DVLA with your new address, or risk a fine of up to £1,000 if you’re stopped by the police.
Ideally, it is best to inform the DVLA of a change of address even if you’re not due to renew your licence.
Checking names is also important, as it’s estimated that 3 per cent of married women have an out-of-date name on their licences.
Updating your name has to be done by post after completing the “changes” section on letter D741 that’s issued with your licence or D1 forms from the Post Office.
The same process applies if you change gender.
If you are changing your names and address only, your photocard’s renewal date won’t be updated.
What if my photocard licence has already expired?
If you are late in renewing your photocard licence, it won’t result in a fine.
However, if your licence has expired, you shouldn’t drive until the DVLA has received your renewal application.
How do I contact the DVLA?
You can contact the DVLA call centre via 0300 7906802.
However, given the circumstances the DVLA are in with catching up with the backlog of applications, their phone line might be rather busy.
Their call centre is open:
Monday to Friday: 8am to 7pm
Saturdays: 8am to 4pm
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