Driving Licence Renewal Rip Off - Want Money Back!

Dabla27_2

So I typed into google on how to get a replacement license as I had lost mine.

The first site that appears is drivinglicence.uk. Not scrutinising it enough clearly I go in, it all looks above board, filled in the required info and pay £50. I then receive a letter in the post from them and all their service provides is a pre printed a DVLA Application form with your details and charge you £50 for the priveledge. You still need to send this form off to DVLA and pay £20. I feel sick I fell for this. You can pick up these forms for free!!!

There is one major issue here and where I hope you can help me, the form they sent is actually blank. I phoned them up and all they can offer me is half my money back. Ive looked through their terms and conditions and I think more can be done but apparently that because they have done their checks and pre printed my details, which they haven't I still only get half my money back - help!!

I have searched stories online and they are quite well known. Fortunately I am getting something back, but it looks like there have been hundreds if not thousands conned into this and got nothing back. They also run a similar passport check facilty. Dont fall for it, go through the proper sites!!

Thats the thing with this, their site comes up first on google, once you're in the site they use all the same colours, fonts etc as the Government site, if whizzing through it like I did, you won't realise you are throwing away your money.

If anyone can help me with me refund issue or where I stand then that would be ideal!

scooby088

Why didn't you just go onto gov.uk. As for the getting of a refund email the company and ask for one, I would presume this is a scam site and I doubt you'd have much luck in getting a refund. Failing that I would get in contact with your local trading standards with all the information you have.

When I googled just the https://www.gov.uk was the first site that came up in the search.

verityboo

I did a search and the 2 ads at the top are for drivinglicence.uk.com and another similar site.

The first proper search result is underneath and is for a gov.uk site. I know which I would choose

mattyprice4004

So it's their fault you blindly clicked, didn't read anything and paid anyway?

'We are not affiliated with DVLA, the UK government or any official body. The checking service we provide can be obtained from a DVLA office directly at a reduced fee or you can apply without a checking service where there will be no checking fee payable.'

That's in MASSIVE text on the homepage. You'd have to be a bit of an idiot not to read something so prominent, and then complain!

~Beanie~

Its say this on their homepage, which would be enough to ring alarm bells for me:

We are not affiliated with DVLA, the UK government or any official body. The checking service we provide can be obtained from a DVLA office directly at a reduced fee or you can apply without a checking service where there will be no checking fee payable.

arcon5

I wonder I you could argue the goods do not fulfil the contract as it is blank and you wish to reject it for a full refund?

MamaMoo_2

arcon5 wrote: »

I wonder I you could argue the goods do not fulfil the contract as it is blank and you wish to reject it for a full refund?

Would this work as OP ordered goods and a service?
Wouldn't he have to give them the option to rectify the unsatisfactory service?

I've also had to sort out a new driving license recently. OH started driving lessons on Sunday, but had lost his counterpart. I was a bit narked at having to pay £20, but found the online process really easy. Ordered on the Monday morning, received on the Wednesday morning! Fantastic!

PZH

scooby088 wrote: »

...I would presume this is a scam site....

Just because they charge for a service that is free or reduced elsewhere does not make it a scam site.

Illegal, No.. Annoying, Yes..

verityboo wrote: »

I did a search and the 2 ads at the top are for drivinglicence.uk.com and another similar site.

The first proper search result is underneath and is for a gov.uk site. I know which I would choose

Valuable lesson learnt. Google is a Commercial venture. There is a need to generate income and it allows sites to pay a premium to be "bumped" up the search list.

Just because it is at the top of the search does not mean it is an "official" site or "Proper" site nor does is mean it is the best.

ALWAYS do your homework.

arcon5 wrote: »

I wonder I you could argue the goods do not fulfil the contract as it is blank and you wish to reject it for a full refund?

The way I see it, it is a "Service" and that service has started, so therefore exempt from DSR (?)

They also state on their front page.

Free reprocessing in case of any errors

So I think the OP is very lucky to have even half the fees offered back.


However, thanks to the OP, hopefully people will avoid this site and do the form filling and checking themselves.

keyser666

scooby088 wrote: »

Why didn't you just go onto gov.uk. As for the getting of a refund email the company and ask for one, I would presume this is a scam site and I doubt you'd have much luck in getting a refund. Failing that I would get in contact with your local trading standards with all the information you have.

When I googled just the https://www.gov.uk was the first site that came up in the search.

It is not a scam site. It provides a service and you pay for it. Simple.

keyser666

arcon5 wrote: »

I wonder I you could argue the goods do not fulfil the contract as it is blank and you wish to reject it for a full refund?

I suppose the goods half fullfilled the contract so therefore thats why they are offering 50% refund :rotfl:

wealdroam

I use AdblockPlus and never see these sponsored ads at the top of search result lists.

It also banishes many adverts that would otherwise appear all over the interweb.

Wonder why more people don't use it or something similar?