Provisional Driving Licence

brummy2568

Hi,

Hope this is the right place to post,

I am 17 and have done some driving lessons so far but someone went ahead and destroyed it on purpose, I have ordered a new one and a month and half later it’s still not here, does anyone here know the current timescales of applications to the DVLA or does anyone work there, it’s taking so long, I really want to get back to lessons but can’t till I have it. 

Sorry about the rant, I am just getting really annoyed because it’s taking so long 

Le_Kirk

brummy2568 said:

Hope this is the right place to post,

I am 17 and have done some driving lessons so far but someone went ahead and destroyed it on purpose, I have ordered a new one and a month and half later it’s still not here, does anyone here know the current timescales of applications to the DVLA or does anyone work there, it’s taking so long, I really want to get back to lessons but can’t till I have it. 

Presume it was your licence they destroyed not your driving lesson(s)!  Did you apply on line or by post?  If by post, DVLA are only dealing with urgent (NHS workers) we are led to believe.  Have you tried contacting DVLA to see what the current status is?  I have read that provided you licence has not been revoked, you are OK to drive whilst you wait for the replacement.  Are the driving schools not allowing you to have lessons without showing your licence, even though they might have seen it for the lessons you have already had?

brummy2568

@Le_Kirk sorry I wasn’t clear I’m just want to get on with learning it’s very important for personal reasons that I can drive. Yes it is the provisional, I done it by post I am not quite sure how to do things online properly. I am looking for a new instructor at the min, my old one didn’t care at all, he spent all his time on his phone and not teaching. I would have done it online if I knew how. I didn’t know you can get updates, so would I ring them and find out? Thanks!!

AdrianC

DVLA have been in utter postal chaos since March's lockdown - between then and mid-June, they were saying "DO NOT POST ANYTHING", only modifying that to "Post if you must, but we're swamped" since then. They also say "Don't contact us to chase, it won't help."

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update

TooManyPoints

I doubt any new driving school will take you on unless they have sight of your licence.

brummy2568

@AdrianC I don’t know how to do the online service otherwise I would have sent off for it that way. I just really hope it comes soon because I need to pass as I am a carer for a family member. 

brummy2568

TooManyPoints said:

I doubt any new driving school will take you on unless they have sight of your licence.

I already know this, that is why I am waiting for my new provisional to come before I book anything.

cajef

TooManyPoints said:

I doubt any new driving school will take you on unless they have sight of your licence.

First thing any instructor is told to do when they are trained is always check a new pupils driving licence.

AdrianC

brummy2568 said:

@AdrianC I don’t know how to do the online service otherwise I would have sent off for it that way. I just really hope it comes soon because I need to pass as I am a carer for a family member. 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-to-replace-a-driving-licence

But driving tests are on serious go-slow at the moment, too...

[Deleted User]

Usually a driving school/instructor will want to see and check your licence the first time you meet but they won't need to see it every time you have a lesson. I remember my instructor saying I had to have it on me every time I had a lesson but I'm not sure how legal that is as you're certainly not required to have it on you while driving once passed.

Also did you apply for a replacement card and not actually filled out the form for your first provisional licence all over again?

Aretnap

Deleted_User said:

Usually a driving school/instructor will want to see and check your licence the first time you meet but they won't need to see it every time you have a lesson. I remember my instructor saying I had to have it on me every time I had a lesson but I'm not sure how legal that is as you're certainly not required to have it on you while driving once passed.

There's no legal requirement to carry it either as a provisional or as a full licence holder. Of course the instructor can insist that you bring it to lessons if he wants to, and will certainly want to be sure that you have a licence before he lets you drive his car.

Just a thought but you can see the details of your driving licence online here - and generate a code which you can give to someone else to allow them to check it themselves.

https://www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk/driving-record/personal-details

You could ask a driving instructor if they'd accept this, along with some other form of ID, as proof that you have a licence?

(No idea whether you'd find one willing to accept it - but the worst they can do is say no.)