Renewing Drivers Licence

CatB71

I realised that my driver's licence had expired and in my panic just applied, stupidly, through the first website that popped up! I was not aware at this point that the Gov.Uk website was down, and thought this was a legit site?! After looking at my bank statement, it then showed a pending transaction of £94 which was for the "service" of this Company. Within 2 hours of applying and realising this, I emailed to cancel as their terms and conditions stated if I changed my mind within 14 days, I could do this? However, the bit that they have got me on is, it also said as long as any part of their service had not been used?! They are basically saying that, as the application had already begun (within 2 hours??!!!), that I cannot claim the full refund?! They have offered me a "goodwill" £20 refund which includes their £14 fee that they have waived?!  This is a short version of my case to the Citizens Advice Bureau, but just wanted to see anybody's thoughts on this and if I have a leg to stand on to get my full refund back?! My driving Licence is still within the extension period as I found this out too, so I am happy to reapply through the correct site once I know what is happening about this?! Many thanks in advance for anyone's help! Cathy.

Car_54

I think it very unlikely you'll get a full refund: in fact, I'm surprised you got £20!

The claim that the application process had begun within 2 hours is probably watertight. The whole process is likely automated and instantaneous.

[Deleted User]

You paid them for the service they offer, the forum is full of such examples of people doing this. Unfortunately it's caveat emptor as they say, the sites are nothing like the Government ones and contain disclaimers advising you can do it free directly. Take the refund and move on, CAB won't change that.

CatB71

Thanks for your reply. I did receive an email the next day to say "sorry to see you go" and went through what their services could provide...bla...bla...bla..but no mention that the process had started already and still gave me the option of cancelling? 
Surely, if the process had been started within 2 hours, this email would have said so? 

CatB71

Deleted_User said:

You paid them for the service they offer, the forum is full of such examples of people doing this. Unfortunately it's caveat emptor as they say, the sites are nothing like the Government ones and contain disclaimers advising you can do it free directly. Take the refund and move on, CAB won't change that.

Deleted_User said:

You paid them for the service they offer, the forum is full of such examples of people doing this. Unfortunately it's caveat emptor as they say, the sites are nothing like the Government ones and contain disclaimers advising you can do it free directly. Take the refund and move on, CAB won't change that.

Thanks for your reply. Is this fact or past experience that you know about? Just don't want to give up if not proved evidence? 

Car_54

CatB71 said:

Deleted_User said:

You paid them for the service they offer, the forum is full of such examples of people doing this. Unfortunately it's caveat emptor as they say, the sites are nothing like the Government ones and contain disclaimers advising you can do it free directly. Take the refund and move on, CAB won't change that.

Deleted_User said:

You paid them for the service they offer, the forum is full of such examples of people doing this. Unfortunately it's caveat emptor as they say, the sites are nothing like the Government ones and contain disclaimers advising you can do it free directly. Take the refund and move on, CAB won't change that.

Thanks for your reply. Is this fact or past experience that you know about? Just don't want to give up if not proved evidence? 

On what basis are you claiming a refund? You paid for a service, they seem to have provided it.

CatB71

Plus the funds hadn't cleared until Weds 9th June, so technically I hadn't "paid" for the services?!

Car_54

CatB71 said:

Plus the funds hadn't cleared until Weds 9th June, so technically I hadn't "paid" for the services?!

Not really relevant, you'd entered into a contract.

CatB71

I had a 14 day cancellation window? Will await facts from the Cab rather than individual opinions. Thanks anyway. 

Lomast

Cab do a good job generally but are just trained volunteers the advice they give is not always correct so be careful acting on those 'facts'

Jenni_D

Licencesafe? There have been several threads here recently about exactly this scenario.

Act in haste - repent at leisure. The licence being expired for the additional 10 minutes it would have taken to confirm exactly who it was you were dealing with (and it is clear that these companies are not the DVLA) would have made no difference whatsoever.