DVLA apologises after motorists face 12-week delay for driving licences

The DVLA has apologised, after motorists have been facing a long wait for driving licenses due to a backlog.

The Government Agency has acknowledged that drivers have been facing extremely long waits for paper applications that it is still working on from last year.

The wait is mostly affecting pensioners who have been waiting around 12 weeks as over-70s are required to renew their license every three years.

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A statement online says it is sorry for any inconvenience and staff are “working hard to reduce waiting times”.

The website added: “There may be additional delays in processing more complex cases, for example, if medical investigations are needed as part of your driving license application.”

A spokesman said: “We handle millions of transactions every year and there are no delays with our online services, which have been working as normal throughout the pandemic and we encourage customers to use these where possible.”

However, the DVLA has assured drivers that the delays are not affecting online applications and has urged people to use the online service for a quick turnaround.

It has told drivers they should expect a 6 to 10 week wait for any license application including change of address and photo changes.

Most drivers who are having their licenses processed should be allowed to be on the road without their license.

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