DVLA is taking months to issue my disabled driving licence

Q

I had my leg amputated in April 2019 and my recovery has been protracted. I have spent more than two years in a wheelchair and it has been difficult to stay positive when I have felt so trapped at home.

I now have a prosthetic leg and am trying to rebuild my life and find work again. I have had an adapted vehicle made and it has been ready since February. Yet I cannot drive it because the DVLA hasn’t issued my driving licence.

On Jan 3, I submitted all the necessary forms. Since then I have chased it multiple times, but have received nothing. Every time I try to phone, the call just ends. When I try using the online chat facility, the chatbot just says that “due to Covid and public service strikes” it is unable to answer licence inquiries. It warns that it could take 10 weeks before paper applications are looked at.

I will soon have been chasing it for four months. I feel the DVLA is denying me the opportunity to progress with my recovery by regaining the independence and mobility that I so crave. My frustration is hard to put into words.

– SW, via email

A

Once I got involved, your driving licence was issued within 24 hours. You received it a few days later. You said you were amazed that it could be done in such a short space of time after you had waited so long.

This disabled driving licence is your golden ticket to freedom once more and you are delighted to have it. You must wait a few more days before embarking on your first journey, as your vehicle needs to be registered with Motability, which helps disabled people obtain vehicles.

You say you will take your wife to the seaside and eat fish and chips while sitting on a wall somewhere. I hope it feels every bit as good as you imagine. Enjoy your freedom.

The DVLA said: “Our online services are working as normal and without delay. We are also almost back within normal processing times for most paper transactions.”

However, it added that applications from drivers with medical conditions could expect to face delays until September.