Passed driving test now Dvla says prov licence had expired 12 days earlier so invalid

MattMattMattUK

elainedawson43 said:

I thought the idea of this forum was to get help or options and to hear if anyone else had the same problem during covid. NOT for people to be derogatory. My son is very upset and yes he is partly to blame however he had 4 tests cancelled due to covid and finally got a date only to be disappointed by an oversight.

It might be an oversight, but regardless of who you wish to ascribe blame to (the DVLA, the test examiner, your son, all of the above or someone totally different) the result is still the same, the test result was deemed invalid and it needs to be taken again.

The advice below is what I previously give, those are your options as no amount of attempting to blame the DVLA or examiner will make them change the outcome to a pass if the test was legally invalid.

MattMattMattUK said:

Renew his provisional licence, take a new theory test, book a practical test and pass it. In the mean time look for alternative forms of transport (public transport, cycling, walking). In terms of getting a test quickly look at tests further away from home at different test centres, sign up for the cancellation notifications so he can get on a cancellation if one becomes available and potentially call the test centre daily. 

The only other thing I would check, is that has there been a paperwork issue (eg the signed pass certificate had the wrong expiry date written on it). Have you checked your son's provisional license to check it had actually expired (section 4b on the photocard)? Also double check the theory test pass as well.

JJ_Egan

Opinions are what have been given .

kirtondm

Might be worth appealing higher up in the DVLA. Generally speaking last year people were granted automatic extensions to driving licenses. 

It would see reasonable in this case to present a good case for you son to retain the lisence. Might be worth getting your GP involved.

of course getting hold of anyone at the DVLA is another matter

kirtondm

I meant MP not GP

elainedawson43

Thanks Matt and kirtondm, we are definitely appealing this, the test certificate doesn’t give us an expiry date and the provisional was taken by the examiner so we are a bit stuck.
we have tried contacting Dvla by phone and web chat but it’s impossible to get hold of anyone. I’ve applied for a new provisional today and emailed so hopefully I can get this sorted soon. 

MattMattMattUK

elainedawson43 said:

Thanks Matt and kirtondm, we are definitely appealing this, the test certificate doesn’t give us an expiry date and the provisional was taken by the examiner so we are a bit stuck.

If the license has actually expired (including any of the Covid extensions) then the test pass is invalid, the DVLA can not make an exception which breaches the law, but they key thing to establish is had the license actually expired. Also, for sake of clairty double check the theory test pass, there were lots of people complaining because the government refused to extend the expiy dates on theory tests, it is worth having all the information to hand.

Does he have a picture/scan of the license somewhere, on his phone perhaps, or would he or you have scanned it at backup when he originally received it? 

elainedawson43 said:

we have tried contacting Dvla by phone and web chat but it’s impossible to get hold of anyone. I’ve applied for a new provisional today and emailed so hopefully I can get this sorted soon. 

Stick to email for the moment, it might take them a while but they will work through the inbox.

What happens if he checks the status of his license online?
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Novice_investor101

I would follow this up. A provisional or full license expires (or is invalid) 10 years after it is issued. I can’t see how your son’s was expired if he is so young. 

chapea

When did he pass his theory.  It is that that only lasts for 2 years I believe before you need to do a new theory test not the actual licence.   So if he passed his theory more than two years ago he would have to redo before taking the practical test.  

Thrugelmir

elainedawson43 said:

I thought the idea of this forum was to get help or options and to hear if anyone else had the same problem during covid. NOT for people to be derogatory. My son is very upset and yes he is partly to blame however he had 4 tests cancelled due to covid and finally got a date only to be disappointed by an oversight.

We all have to take personal responsibility for our own actions. Not blame and complain when we fail to do so. 

elainedawson43

Thrugelmir said:

elainedawson43 said:

I thought the idea of this forum was to get help or options and to hear if anyone else had the same problem during covid. NOT for people to be derogatory. My son is very upset and yes he is partly to blame however he had 4 tests cancelled due to covid and finally got a date only to be disappointed by an oversight.

We all have to take personal responsibility for our own actions. Not blame and complain when we fail to do so. 

Thanks for that helpful comment, hope  you are never in a similar situation,