Dvla Reviews 1,713

What a shambles this Department is in. Sent ALL details needed to renew licence as coming up to 70. Sent ALL medical stuff with it so should be a SIMPLE issue. Sent 2nd March recorded etc., still haven’t got it, and someone EVENTUALLY answers or calls back to say ‘We really haven’t got a clue when you will get your licence back and there’s a lot in front of you!!’ Really…. get a grip on public services - this is just abysmal.

Concerning surrendering my private number plate, it was .my mistake in the beginning after numerous texts I felt I was going round InCircles also trying to talk to someone on the phone. Last chance one Saturday morning I got through to someone, and the lady sorted it out straight away as they used to say "It pays to talk ".

Why are these people still getting paid a wage.
They are an absolute joke.
They rang me in November, 25 about my medical for a driving licence after having a seizure.
Sent me a load of paperwork and said if I got it all back to them, I should have my driving licence back in January.
I am still waiting in April, and recently received pretty much the same forms again and a letter telling me that I had a brain tumour.
I rang and somebody was supposed to return my call within 2 hours and I am still waiting, 3 weeks later.
Absolutely appalling state of affairs.
Who is running this place????
If it was a private business, it would have been closed down a long time ago.

I would give no stars if I could. Wrote a letter to them asking them to confirm that I was the only person registered at my address after receiving mail from them for another person. Instead of just answering, they want me to give them the vehicle details of the car in the letter they sent (which I didn't even open as it was not addressed to me). They send letters asking for info that has NOTHING to do with my enquiry. Their complaints department is useless. And it is impossible to find information on how to take it further. It was a simple enquiry that should take them no more than 5 minutes to answer, not weeks of me chasing them because they are incompetent. It has taken 2 months so far. I can't be bothered wasting any more of my time on it, but if I get mail again from them from someone else with no connection to my address, I'm going straight to my MP rather than deal with the stress of trying to deal with the DVLA.

Just shocking. Never ever did I have such a bad experience with any official company.
They are useless. After one hour waiting on the phone - no answers to my questions.
What is wrong with this department. They do need a shake up and work more professional. I’m dealing with them since November 2025 and I’m still waiting……

Shocking!! They discriminate if you have a medical condition!! Absolute disgrace!!

Effectively an unusable service. Trying the most basic of tasks to change my licence address online failed (obviously - Gov IT rarely works) and posted it with the forms and nothing has come back months later

No way to contact them. Waste of space of an organisation

What a joke, this is the 21st not the 19th century. This organisation uses faxes, payment by cheque and postal order. Just spent 60 minutes on the phone to speak to the medical department trying to find out why I need to complete a licence renewal form and not being able to complete this online. The line said 10 minute wait, what a joke. When I got through they said it wasn't a medical issue, even though general enquiries said it was a medical issue. The stroppy advisor wouldn't apologise for the wrong information and transferring me to the wrong department, saying "I have nothing to apologise for". IQ`s in DVLA are at a all time low.

I was given explicit instructions from someone how to change vehicle weight only to have my application rejected by someone else with completely different opinions on the correct procedure, who then directed me to the dvlc, where exactly the same thing happened. Words fail me, none of them have a clue what they're doing. They gave me ludicrous advice like 'go to any garage for a new vin plate', WTF they just winged their way through any query to get you off the phone. When you finally get through to them they are a bunch of total amatuers

I tried several times to renew online to no avail. I tried calling DVLA, apparently they were all busy and asked me to try again later. I'm losing the will here.

Whats the point of the directing you online and it does not work. Now I cant drive to work because I will not have a license. Not looking forward to a two hour commute there and back.

So waited an hour on the phone on hold then cut off , tried another day waiting over an hour eventually spoke to an absolute cretinous vile individual, clueless couldn’t answer any questions asked. The vehicle had been sorn on line and accepted, I was then told this hadn’t worked properly so it was overlooked and therefore an £80 fine would be issued, an absolute disgrace this corrupt organisation needs to be closed down as not fit for purpose, the roads are in a terrible state pot holes etc yet nothing done makes you wonder where the money actually goes, COMPLETE SCAM

Ive had a medical driving licence for 3 years now. This has to be renewed every 3 years. I sent in the relevant form and pics to DVLA with plenty of time before my licence was due to expire on 31st March 26, they kindly informed, that if this isn't done that my renewal wouldn't be completed on time. Meaning I wouldn't be able to drive without a new licence.
I sent my renewal in with plenty of time. I received no correspondence from DVLA. I contacted them by phone mid February. Eventually being told it was in a queue and would be sent out soon. If it doesn't arrive, I can see if I meet the criteria of a section 88 which I can download from the Gov website.
Its now the 8th April 26, and I still haven't received my new driving licence. Tried to contact them several ways today eventually getting a call back this afternoon. Stating my application is in a queue still and I will have to wait. They cant give any update any time line. I couldn't speak to a manager, and I just have to wait. To check if I qualify for section 88 by reading the printout booklet.
For such a large government public run office.
I think this is poor customer services, extremely poor management and poor training. I don't feel the blame lies with the call centre staff or the workers dealing with people on a daily basis. Under staffed, over worked and under paid. Its like that across every public office, every sector, every public organisation and resource across the UK. People need to wise up and wake up. What's happening to our country and us as a "nation" disgusting.

What is ridiculous goverment

Gosh, I see many negative reviews. I must have had pot luck, because I actually found dvla efficient.

I renewed my DL online and got it within a week.

Granted I don't drive, just use the DL for ID. So I dont have any other dealings with DVLA. Probably just as well.

I applied for a licence in December 2025, and I am still waiting for it to be done 4 months later!!
I have phoned customer service, they didn't help at all, and just told me to wait a little longer ( I have )
I made a complaint online a month ago, no reply......
I have emailed them a bunch of times, and guess what? NOTHING
They have made no attempt to contact me with an update on my application, no courtesy to even reply to my many forms of contact and I am waiting still, 4 months later for my licence!!!
Absolute shoddy service which is failing customers massively, and seeing as it is a government company, I expect no less to be honest as it is terrible.
Uncaring, unhelpful and unprofessional.
DVLA...... Sort it out!!!!!!!

I can't really add anything new to what has been written many times here already.
A simple job of transferring my paper licence to photocard as I am nearing 70 and driving to Sweden, which requires a photocard. FIVE weeks later, 3 emails, 1 chat thingy and 40 mins waiting on the phone......nothing. Absolutely nothing.

What has happened at the DVLA. Renewing a C1 licence is becoming too slow. Phone calls to help are a waste of time. Apparently it’s all automated. God help us … if he can get through.

If I could score zero I would have! Initially told they lost my documents and to call back a week later. Then miraculously found my documents when I called back. Rude customer service agent. Asked for the complaints documentation, advisor took my email and then didn’t send the complaints info. The advisor finished the call without saying goodbye.

Truly awful!

Horrible. Took around 90 pounds of my money. Too long processing, too slow and too lazy.

The webchat was easy to access. But it is like doing business with a company thirty years ago! When are you going to update your systems and processes and become total electronic for those who want it?