Dvla Reviews 1.707

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?

Shocking company.
Slow at replying to messages if you even get a message. You call up and get put on hold for 20/30 minutes. Then you speak to customer service and they have no clue what they’re doing. Shockingly bad service!!!

Am on a 1 year medical license renewal cycle and have been waiting for the DVLA to process my bog standard no complications renewal since early November 2024. That's 5 months !!!! Spoke to them again today (25th March 2026) to be told 'Ah yes, we've prioritised it since the start of March and will be done when it's done, they're very busy'.
In the meantime I can't hire a car on any overseas trips as I don't have a license.
This is yet another Gov't agency that is clearly not fit for purpose in this utterly useless country.

This is getting ridiculous. Roads are in poor condition, markings are almost invisible, and every March there’s a rush of roadworks just to use up the budget. The result? Massive traffic across London. It’s badly managed and incredibly frustrating.

Dire across the board. My son did a SAR, asking for 4 pieces of data, one to include a medical report. A jobsworth stated it must be completed on a form (email with ID and clear request was on an email. They’ve now came back and stated they will need 3 months to honour the request. 3 months for 4 pieces of data- honestly you couldn’t make it up. They game my son 1 year in his provisional - following a private medical - yet no report or update as to why the time scale. RUBBISh

The DVLA Are a complete wast of time..

Sending you threatening letters if you fail to respond within there time frame but its ok for them to drag there feet for months on end with on communication.. they are an absolute joke..

Still Sending things by paper 🤣😂 i dont think they know email is a thing..

Just like the government that employe them... a laughing stock.

Absolutely incompetent asking questions from gp 1 at a time with a 6 week turn around. No information given. " im not medically trained" seems to be the buzz line. All I asked was if you can read out the questions you've asked my doctor or read his reply.