Forum Topic

DVLA problems

I was wondering if has anyone else has had problems in their dealings with the DVLA. I recently spent the best part of an hour trying to pay my road tax online: pages constantly froze, I was offered irrelevant options to choose from, and I went back to the beginning and started again five or six times. In the end, I gave up, walked up to the Post Office and got it done in about two minutes.The other major problem I have is renewing my driver's licence. This has been going on since last November, when they first informed me that renewal was due in January, but I would first have to take an eye-test, arranged by the DVLA. I have no problem with this, but they have so far failed to make the appointment I need, so as a result of the their dilatoriness and lack of response to queries, I am still waiting. They have become the classic Orwellian bureaucracy - impossible to contact by phone and entirely unresponsive to polite written queries. Can this really all be the fault of Covid?

Colin Jordan ● 1946d11 Comments

I paid my road tax online about a month ago with no difficulties so it's not 'because Covid' but, hopefully, a temporary glitch.I also need to renew my driving licence in the autumn so am keeping my fingers crossed.

Susan Kelly ● 1946d

Colin, why do you need the eye test first, if your eyes are tested every 2 years is that no longer sufficient.

Janice Evans ● 1946d

Happened to me last week. Definitely issues

Margie Frew ● 1946d

I think the staff are mostly on strike.  They don't answer the phone.  But I did get my licence renewed online.  Persevere..

Susan Engel ● 1946d

Janice, a couple of years ago I had cataract problems. I've since had the cataracts removed and now have near-perfect vision, no longer needing to wear glasses. Hence, I have no problem with taking an eye-test. but the DVLA, while insisting on it, seem unable, or reluctant, to arrange it. My main point is that they are the official, over-arching authority on these matters, yet in their dealings with us, the public to whom they issue their rules and demands, they are aloof and unresponsive.

Colin Jordan ● 1946d

There are problems at the DVLA it seems:-https://amp.theguardian.com/money/2021/jun/26/uk-drivers-dvla-licences-delays

Michael David Rowe ● 1946d

If they can't issue new licenses then I trust they will let the old ones remain valid until they can sort themselves out!

Susan Kelly ● 1946d

Colin, sorry you are having problems, never realise they arrange the eye test, would have thought any optician could have done that for you or thehospital.

Janice Evans ● 1946d

My husband needs to do this soon, think we’d better start looking in to it sooner rather than later

Maggie Dodge ● 1945d

I hope it goes through smoothly, Maggie.

Colin Jordan ● 1945d

I renewed my vehicle excise duty online on Thursday 24th June with no difficulty.

Richard Greenhough ● 1945d