DVLA problems

OwlsBarbara

my sons driving licence renewal was sent in a couple of days before lockdown (Class 2). As he had previously had to give up his licence for medical reasons, the DVLA had to contact his dr to assess his ability to drive, this was returned to DVLA in July this year saying he was fit to drive now. However he has still not had his licence renewed and there is no answer on the telephone at all, it rings out for 15 minutes then cuts off. His job is reliant on his ability to drive and whilst his employer is being very good about this I can’t see them continuing in the same way for much longer. Where do we go from here? Is there an emergency number for them?

tacpot12

Him and thousands others: Drivers furious after waiting months for licences - BBC News
There is no emergency number. However, he can use this online service to see if he has a Driving Licence Number yet. 
View your driving licence information (viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk)
If he has a Driving Licence Number, then the photocard should, in theory, only take three weeks to arrive. 

If he has a 14 digit application number, he can use this service to track his application: 
Track your driving licence application - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Unfortunately, the law states that a driving license has to be a photocard. It cannot be an electronic record, so until his photocard arrives he doesn't have a licence, and this hasn't been relaxed due to Covid-19! He could write to his MP to complain about the delay, and ask that the law be changed so that an electronic record can be regarded as the licence while the DVLA can't cope.

Based on what you have said, he doesn't qualify to use the extension that can be used by people that have a driving licence that has expired. 

EdGasketTheSecond

Where does the law state that a driving licence has to be a photocard? Mine isn't and neither are a number of family members; a paper licence is perfectly valid.

sheramber

EdGasketTheSecond said:

Where does the law state that a driving licence has to be a photocard? Mine isn't and neither are a number of family members; a paper licence is perfectly valid.

Only if issued before 1998