DVLA - possible nightmare!

Maydot

I moved to this address about 15 years ago and would have sent my license off to change my address then. I know this may sound ridiculous but I'm only assuming I got it back (lots of issues going on at the time), It's only when I went to look for it the other day to change my name that I couldn't find it. It has definitely not been revoked as the DVLA would have told me that - they just have absolutely no record of me. No record of a provisional license, no record of me passing my test, no full license...nothing. I have never received a speeding ticket/points or made an insurance claim.

I was only ever asked to show my license once when I started my job and that was before I moved to this address. I do not recollect it being photocopied but I'm hoping it was. After a sleepless night I am waiting to contact HR to see if there is a copy on my file.

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, I'm at my wits end.

Loganfire

This is a bigger problem than you think, I watch WATCHDOG about two years ago and they reported about DVLA losing people details. They report a motor bike police man who sent off for a replacement license got told he had no license, he told them what job he did and they still said he had no licence. He had to resit his test even his Chief of police could not help him. If you have your certificate from when you passed you can send that to dvla as proof but they will not accept copies.

Maydot

Loganfire wrote: »

This is a bigger problem than you think, I watch WATCHDOG about two years ago and they reported about DVLA losing people details. They report a motor bike police man who sent off for a replacement license got told he had no license, he told them what job he did and they still said he had no licence. He had to resit his test even his Chief of police could not help him. If you have your certificate from when you passed you can send that to dvla as proof but they will not accept copies.

After reading up on similar stories yesterday, I know I have a MASSIVE problem. Not only am I looking at having to resit my test and losing my full no claims bonus I think I will also lose my job. I feel sick with worry.

When I passed my test I had to send off my pass certificate in order to get my full license. I don't think they were returned then.

Can I just add, to anyone still using an old paper license, check your details on the DVLA website. You can see what details they hold on you once registered. I would hate for anyone else to find themselves in my predicament.

cb1979

Just tried the DVLA site to check my paper licence details, seems you can only check Photo card details

I still have my paper licence which was issued in 1976, I passed my Motorbike Test in 1969 and my Car test in 1972, I do not have any pass certificates only my old Red Driving licence book as proof of passing my tests

Eventually I will have to get a Photo card licence, would it be best to get a certified copy of my paper licence as proof of my driving entitlement should the DVLA mess up

Norman_Castle

would it be best to get a certified copy of my paper licence as proof of my driving entitlement should the DVLA mess up

What would be accepted as a certified copy?. I've scanned and photographed my license. I've also got a signed (certified?) copy from opening a bank account.

jobdone1

Get your self a quick crash course one week something like that get your test done take a couple of weeks leave and explain to your employer what the DVLA has done and also explain you are not alone and if they do not believe you google dvla !!!! ups and their are many.

Rover_Driver

cb1979 wrote: »

Eventually I will have to get a Photo card licence, would it be best to get a certified copy of my paper licence as proof of my driving entitlement should the DVLA mess up

Send a letter and an SAE asking for your old licence back, they should send it back stamped 'cancelled'.
If it was a photo licence, they punch a hole through the photograph instead.

mark5

Not sure if its relevant here but if you dont claim your full licence within a certain period you do lose the entitlement and have to take your test again. I think its currently 2 years but would have been longer when you passed back in the 80's..

Is it possible your full or provisional licence is still in a maiden name or could there be a spelling variation of your name.

Without your previous licence or licence number the DVLA would struggle to find you without the correct details.

For example

In 1985 you may have been Rebecca Smith born 25.12.1960 living in E17 1YY.

Now married your Rebecca Jones born 25.12.1960
living in S12 4TT.

DVLA worker will type in Jones 25.12.1960 S12 4TT, computer will say person dont exist because the details were never updated and the match isnt close enough.

I would fill in the application enclose a covering letter explaining a previous search couldnt find you and provide all details of previous addresses with years of occupancy along with previous names and middle names etc.

Just to confuse matters more there could have been a typing error on your original licence you didnt spot, so maybe your on the system as Rebecca Jones 24.12.1960 etc.

I worked at the DVLA a long time ago and things like this did happen quite often.

Goodluck.

Maydot

Thank you again for all the replies.

Sorry cb1979, I didn't realise you could only do the check if you already had a photocard license, was going on info passed on to me without checking it out myself.

I did try all possible variations of surname and address when I spoke to the dvla yesterday but I have only changed my surname recently when I remarried and I am certain of my name and address when I passed my test. Interestingly the guy I spoke to did seem to have something on record as he kept asking me if I had lived anywhere near the address I first gave him. I'm wondering now if there was a mistake somewhere. On the other hand I do know that there is someone with my exact full name and dob living fairly close by as we both had a hospital outpatients appointment on the same day...caused no end of confusion as we ended up with the wrong records!!

I'm now also trying to remember when the postcodes in this area changed as many years ago the postcodes started with L but then changed to CH...I think it was before I passed my test though but will double check to find out.

I definitely have a full license, I had to show it to my employer when I started my job so I know I claimed it.

patman99

I remember the Watchdog thing. They had 2 people in the same position as the op so they drove them to DVLA in Swansea and after producing birth certificates & proofs of the addresses they had lived-at, DVLA issued them with new licenses on the spot.

When I decided to apply for a photo license, I kept my old paper one, but ticked the box to say it had been lost. That way if DVLA had removed any entitlements, I still had the proof I had a full DL.

You mention that there was someone living near you who had the same name & dob. Have you spoken to them to see if they have been sent your license by mistake ?. Might be worth a punt. You never know.