HELP!!! DVLA claimed not receiving my ID while I did attach my citizen card inside the envelope

toto_so

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting here so please don't be harsh:) I got into very big trouble sending my ID to DVLA. Here's my story below:

I applied for my first provision license in November last year. After a week, I got a letter with a specific white return envelope and an application completion form enclosed and was required to attach my ID. I followed the instructions, put my EU citizen card (at that time it was accepted) and the form into the same envelope, and sealed it. I am so stupid that instead of using tracked service, I posted my mail into a postbox via Royal Mail First Class on 9/12/2020. The only thing I did is that I videotaped myself posting the mail and wrote down the postbox number (W12 17) - this is my only evidence.

Then, something unfortunate happened to me. On 2/2/2021, I received a letter dated 15/12/2020 from DVLA without anything else attached. (I wonder how come it took almost 2 months to get the letter delivered.) They said they received the application form but did not receive any identity document.

I filed a claim on Royal Mail. I also called Royal Mail, and the staff told me they could not help find my citizen card. I called DVLA, and requested searching the envelope again or around DVLA for the citizen card, and the staff said, "There is no way". I asked her if the envelope arrived damaged, and she said if any envelope arrives damaged, a record would be made, but she could not find any record concerning this matter. I am certain I put my citizen card inside my envelope, so how would it be possible that the envelope arrived undamaged, the application form was found, but not my citizen card.

I saw many forums and news and found out DVLA losing IDs is very common. I've written a complaint letter to DVLA. I've also requested help from the Guardian (they have a specific email for this under the article about DVLA holding IDs) and other media. I followed my embassy's advice and posted it on Immobilise. What else can I do? I'm urgent in need of my citizen card for renewing my passport. I've got 2 months left for the renewal. I need to go home in June.

I know it takes time for the departments to work esp. during COVID-19 so please don't criticise about it. I'm just so desperate at this moment. Also, this is not the matter that DVLA is holding my ID. It is that DVLA claimed not receiving my ID while saying they received the mail undamaged and had my application form but no ID. I wonder if anything else I can do at this moment. I've simply got no idea and feel hopeless.

Thanks for reading my post:)

toto_so

Sorry, I should've posted on Motoring instead of Praise, Vent & Warnings. I hope it doesn't matter

MovingForwards

Ask your embassy how you go about getting a replacement citizen card, or look on the government website for your home country.

If the DVLA don't have your citizen card, they don't have it. Eventually it may arrive / be found, or it may be lost forever. 

powerful_Rogue

I'm hoping you've reported it lost to the issuing authority. Immobilise is just a lost/found site. This needs officially reporting lost to your own government so it can be added to the system incase anyone tried entering countries using it.

As for who is to blame, i'm afraid it's you. You sent a national ID card without any tracking what so ever. Such documents should always be sent Special Delivery, not just popped in a postbox.

As for what to do, after you have officially reported it lost, you then contact your nearest embassy and ask to purchase a replacement.

58tigger

Sending this tracked wouldn't have helped in this case, as DVLA received the envelope as they have the application form, which proves the envelope arrived sending it tracked would only have proved the same ie that the envelope was delivered to DVLA. I'm sorry I can't be of any help other than to say don't beat yourself up for not sending it tracked as you know your envelope arrived at it's destination. I'm also having problems with DVLA trying to renew my photocard, apparently my passport is too new to renew online!

missile

It would appear DVLA lost your card. You have no alternative but to obtain a replacement card and try again..
"I need to go home in June." Where is home?

toto_so

missile said:

It would appear DVLA lost your card. You have no alternative but to obtain a replacement card and try again..
"I need to go home in June." Where is home?

I live outside the EU/UK although I'm a EU citizen. It'll be troublesome when I return to UK since my passport is expired. Apparently the queue for getting a citizen card is long too... Anyway I've already contacted my embassy

toto_so

powerful_Rogue said:

I'm hoping you've reported it lost to the issuing authority. Immobilise is just a lost/found site. This needs officially reporting lost to your own government so it can be added to the system incase anyone tried entering countries using it.

Well my embassy told me to register on Immobilise

JJ_Egan

No harm done as said its a lost found site  . TV registered it gets nicked then found serial etc can be checked if registered .

powerful_Rogue

toto_so said:

powerful_Rogue said:

I'm hoping you've reported it lost to the issuing authority. Immobilise is just a lost/found site. This needs officially reporting lost to your own government so it can be added to the system incase anyone tried entering countries using it.

Well my embassy told me to register on Immobilise

It still needs reporting lost to the Police so it can be updated on the interpol system. The last thing you want is someone trying to use your ID for nefarous reasons.

You also won't be able to return back to the UK with an expired passport. Those days are now over since the 1st Jan.

toto_so

Update:
I received a mail dated 18th December 2020 from DVLA via Royal Mail Second Class post today. The application form and a new envelope were attached. A chop dated 10th December 2020 was on the form saying the form was received.
Anyway, thanks all for your help