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

ZaSa1418

A provisional lasts for 10 years, Surely as he is 20 he can't have had it that long? 
When did he take his theory? My guess is that the theory was over 2 years ago and they have just sent the wrong letter out. 
He should have the emails when he booked his theory so check that out. 
If none of it adds up then contact the DVLA and query it. 

JJ_Egan

Difficult to be sure but looking at various driving test web sites .

• When you pass, your examiner will ask if you would like to receive your full driving licence automatically. If you choose to do this, you'll have to hand your provisional licence over there and then.
• If you don't wish to get your licence automatically, you can instead apply for your full licence by post. You can find details on how to do this on the DVSA website

• It does not say the examiner must examine the licence .
  

ripplyuk

How can the DVLA allow the test to take place without a provisional license? I thought it was a legal requirement and their own checks are meant to confirm this, in which case, they are at fault here. 

OP, I’d put a complaint in and definitely get an MP involved. I’d also contact local media. The publicity might encourage the DVLA to respond. 

ThisnotThat

ripplyuk said:

How can the DVLA allow the test to take place without a provisional license? I thought it was a legal requirement and their own checks are meant to confirm this, in which case, they are at fault here. 

OP, I’d put a complaint in and definitely get an MP involved. I’d also contact local media. The publicity might encourage the DVLA to respond. 

The DVSA carries out tests, not the DVLA, but either way I'm not sure what good this will do.

They may have erred in letting them take the test (although I do not know if the onus is on them to confirm eligibility), but the outcome will still be the same. They won't give them a full driving licence just because they let them take a test they shouldn't have let them take (if that is indeed the case.)

It is unlikely the licence was expired, given they last for 10 years. Much more likely is that it was an out of date theory test which caused it and they sent the wrong rejection letter by mistake.

molerat

Everything I have found states the provisional lasts until age 70 but the photocard needs renewing every 10 years.  The only expiry, as mentioned above, is the validity of the theory test.  If you are certain he is within the time limit for the theory test it looks like someone has screwed up and he needs to go through the complaints procedure https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency/about/complaints-procedure

MalMonroe

Do you think DVLA could have simply made a mistake? As others have said, provisional licences last for 10 years, which would mean your son would have been 10 when he first got his. 

Do you think if you write to them and flag this up (I know they're very busy but it doesn't seem possible to contact them any other way) they may take notice? 

There are two points to mention to them - (1) his first test should have taken place in August last year but was postponed a number of times and (2) his licence cannot possibly have expired.

It really could be the case that they have made a mistake. 

Also, I'm very sorry that some of the comments on here are, for want of a better word, acerbic. Some of them have made me wince. There's no need for it. And the forum rules (which were freshly updated last week) do state that we are supposed to be friendly and helpful to everyone here. If people don't have anything positive to add I really don't know why they are being so mean and petty. 

As you say, your son feels bad enough. It is difficult to know why they're saying his licence expired, though. 

prowla

elainedawson43 said:

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,

Let us all bask in the glow of the righteous!

prowla

ripplyuk said:

How can the DVLA allow the test to take place without a provisional license? I thought it was a legal requirement and their own checks are meant to confirm this, in which case, they are at fault here. 

OP, I’d put a complaint in and definitely get an MP involved. I’d also contact local media. The publicity might encourage the DVLA to respond. 

Not even that - how can they let him drive without a valid licence?

prowla

MalMonroe said:

Do you think DVLA could have simply made a mistake? As others have said, provisional licences last for 10 years, which would mean your son would have been 10 when he first got his. 

Do you think if you write to them and flag this up (I know they're very busy but it doesn't seem possible to contact them any other way) they may take notice? 

There are two points to mention to them - (1) his first test should have taken place in August last year but was postponed a number of times and (2) his licence cannot possibly have expired.

It really could be the case that they have made a mistake. 

Also, I'm very sorry that some of the comments on here are, for want of a better word, acerbic. Some of them have made me wince. There's no need for it. And the forum rules (which were freshly updated last week) do state that we are supposed to be friendly and helpful to everyone here. If people don't have anything positive to add I really don't know why they are being so mean and petty. 

As you say, your son feels bad enough. It is difficult to know why they're saying his licence expired, though. 

For some people, the only power they have is a keyboard.

theoretica

It does, on first appearance, seem a case of 'surely some mistake' as the photocard should be valid for 10 years and the provisional license itself even longer.  Worth querying with DVLA.  Shorter duration licences are riding mopeds and motorbikes on L plates - he didn't do a bike certificate 2 years ago which could contribute to this muddle?