DVLA

Still on lockdown are they ■■..should have received HGV renewal forms 56 days before expiry…5 weeks to go and no forms.Have applied for form pack online,not a problem…but should they be renamed DIY

Baggie:
Still on lockdown are they ■■..should have received HGV renewal forms 56 days before expiry…5 weeks to go and no forms.Have applied for form pack online,not a problem…but should they be renamed DIY

Mine was smooth in May this year. Might be the RM strikes holding it up a bit

njl:

Baggie:
Still on lockdown are they ■■..should have received HGV renewal forms 56 days before expiry…5 weeks to go and no forms.Have applied for form pack online,not a problem…but should they be renamed DIY

Mine was smooth in May this year. Might be the RM strikes holding it up a bit

You could be right,we get one post a day and its been erratic to say the least,NORMAL around lunch time some days its been tea time 5.30
Received a letter posted on the 8th August arrived after a total of 12 miles at the end of September

Sent them a compensation/expenses form for a HGV test abandoned because of “stop oil protestors” blocking roads around Purfleet/Thurrock. This was back in July.
I called them to chase up a few weeks back, they told me to call back February 2023.
They sent me the form to fill in, without me asking, within 2 days of test abandonment.

English driver 1970:
Sent them a compensation/expenses form for a HGV test abandoned because of “stop oil protestors” blocking roads around Purfleet/Thurrock. This was back in July.
I called them to chase up a few weeks back, they told me to call back February 2023.
They sent me the form to fill in, without me asking, within 2 days of test abandonment.

I’m waiting for info’ from the medical section of DVLA about getting my licence back after a stroke.
I got the application forms on the 1 year anniversary of the stroke. Filled them in and sent them off pretty quickly, 4 days.
I got another letter from them 2 weeks later, which said they were going to write to my Doctor. I know my Doc wrote back to them, because I asked.
That was 3 months ago now. Getting on for 4 months since I applied for my licence back.
I don’t even know if I’ll have to do a medical exam for DVLA yet. And how long after that to get my licence?

My old job is there, waiting for me, once I’ve got that card in my hand.
The last line of the last letter I had from them said something along the lines of, “Do not contact us, unless you have further evidence for us”.
I’ve read that to mean, ‘if you do, your file will mysteriously find itself further down the pile’.

I’m really beginning to think I’ll have to contact my MP. I can’t afford to wait until February.

Simon:

English driver 1970:
Sent them a compensation/expenses form for a HGV test abandoned because of “stop oil protestors” blocking roads around Purfleet/Thurrock. This was back in July.
I called them to chase up a few weeks back, they told me to call back February 2023.
They sent me the form to fill in, without me asking, within 2 days of test abandonment.

I’m waiting for info’ from the medical section of DVLA about getting my licence back after a stroke.
I got the application forms on the 1 year anniversary of the stroke. Filled them in and sent them off pretty quickly, 4 days.
I got another letter from them 2 weeks later, which said they were going to write to my Doctor. I know my Doc wrote back to them, because I asked.
That was 3 months ago now. Getting on for 4 months since I applied for my licence back.
I don’t even know if I’ll have to do a medical exam for DVLA yet. And how long after that to get my licence?

My old job is there, waiting for me, once I’ve got that card in my hand.
The last line of the last letter I had from them said something along the lines of, “Do not contact us, unless you have further evidence for us”.
I’ve read that to mean, ‘if you do, your file will mysteriously find itself further down the pile’.

I’m really beginning to think I’ll have to contact my MP. I can’t afford to wait until February.

I know how you feel guys, as i’ve mentioned in another post i had a heart attack on 4th June this year, had a stent and a pacemaker fitted, been sat at home since 9th June, had a couple of checkups since, ECG etc…chased DVLA up about a month ago, got my stress ECG (used to be called treadmill test) on the 19th October, wasn’t happy about waiting for a month when i got my appointment, wrote a letter to my MP, they got in touch with DVLA who sent me a letter apologising but saying i had to wait for the appointment due to high demand and lack of staff at both the hospital where i’m having the test and at DVLA.
They don’t seem to care 2 hoots about the fact i’ve had to dip into my credit cards to pay the bills, sell everything off of any value or the fact there is “allegedly” a driver shortage.
I’m not expecting to be back behind the wheel before the first week of November if i’m lucky.
The problems i’ve had pale into insignificance to the delays you have had Simon but their official line for my medical problems is a minimum of 6 weeks…it’s going to be over 5 months FFS

Best of luck to both of you

I was diagnosed with irregular heartbeat in July 2020. Had to wait until end of August last year to get it shocked back into rhythm,then had to stay in rhythm for 3 months.
Applied for return of license start of December. Had heard nothing by April so e-mailed and was told that they couldn’t tell me anything,and if I tried phoning I would be told the same.
In July,received a letter giving me 6 weeks to make appointments for an echocardiogram and treadmill test.
Had the echocardiogram in August but still waiting for the treadmill appointment. Phoned the hospital cardiac dept last week. Got an answerphone message telling me the phone was checked regularly and they would get back to me. Still waiting. Feel as though I’m just stuck between 2 organisations that don’t care.
I’m fully expecting the next thing will be I have to have another medical. If that’s the case,I won’t be driving an HGV again.

All the above makes a mockery out of the “fake” driver shortage.
In my case I had the funds for retest. If that wouldn’t have been the case, I would have had to put everything on hold for 8 months at least.
The .GOV are just happy to keep funding boot camp passes.
I’ve self funded class 2 and 1 with no help over past 2 years.

I’ve got tired of waiting.
So I phoned my MPs constituency office.
They knew straight away what I was talking about, took some details and promised they’ll be straight onto it.

They anticipate being able to give me some info early next week. That’d be nice

RIPPER:

Simon:

English driver 1970:
Sent them a compensation/expenses form for a HGV test abandoned because of “stop oil protestors” blocking roads around Purfleet/Thurrock. This was back in July.
I called them to chase up a few weeks back, they told me to call back February 2023.
They sent me the form to fill in, without me asking, within 2 days of test abandonment.

I’m waiting for info’ from the medical section of DVLA about getting my licence back after a stroke.
I got the application forms on the 1 year anniversary of the stroke. Filled them in and sent them off pretty quickly, 4 days.
I got another letter from them 2 weeks later, which said they were going to write to my Doctor. I know my Doc wrote back to them, because I asked.
That was 3 months ago now. Getting on for 4 months since I applied for my licence back.
I don’t even know if I’ll have to do a medical exam for DVLA yet. And how long after that to get my licence?

My old job is there, waiting for me, once I’ve got that card in my hand.
The last line of the last letter I had from them said something along the lines of, “Do not contact us, unless you have further evidence for us”.
I’ve read that to mean, ‘if you do, your file will mysteriously find itself further down the pile’.

I’m really beginning to think I’ll have to contact my MP. I can’t afford to wait until February.

I know how you feel guys, as i’ve mentioned in another post i had a heart attack on 4th June this year, had a stent and a pacemaker fitted, been sat at home since 9th June, had a couple of checkups since, ECG etc…chased DVLA up about a month ago, got my stress ECG (used to be called treadmill test) on the 19th October, wasn’t happy about waiting for a month when i got my appointment, wrote a letter to my MP, they got in touch with DVLA who sent me a letter apologising but saying i had to wait for the appointment due to high demand and lack of staff at both the hospital where i’m having the test and at DVLA.
They don’t seem to care 2 hoots about the fact i’ve had to dip into my credit cards to pay the bills, sell everything off of any value or the fact there is “allegedly” a driver shortage.
I’m not expecting to be back behind the wheel before the first week of November if i’m lucky.
The problems i’ve had pale into insignificance to the delays you have had Simon but their official line for my medical problems is a minimum of 6 weeks…it’s going to be over 5 months FFS

Best of luck to both of you

UPDATE
Had my test yesterday and was told by the cardiologist i passed with flying colours.
Gave him the letter i got from my MP/DVLA with a different email address to send the results to, as well as asking him to send to the original email address.
He said no problem…hopefully i’ll hear something in the next week or 2 and be back behind the wheel.

@Simon…it seems getting in touch with your MP does help a little but you’re still at the mercy of DVLA getting their finger out, good luck with it

RIPPER:
@Simon…it seems getting in touch with your MP does help a little but you’re still at the mercy of DVLA getting their finger out, good luck with it

Thanks

I was quite hopeful when my application forms arrived on the anniversary of my stroke.
And then a couple of weeks later that “we’ll write to your Doctor” letter arrived. That seemed hopeful they were moving along quite briskly.
More than 2 months later and nothing heard. I decided it’s time to do something. Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Simon:
I’ve got tired of waiting.
So I phoned my MPs constituency office.
They knew straight away what I was talking about, took some details and promised they’ll be straight onto it.

They anticipate being able to give me some info early next week. That’d be nice

Told you!

I wrote to my MP twice, wrote to Grant Schapps and also the big man himself…no not GOD…Boris Johnson. My letter to bojo got forwarded to the DVLA and I had a reply basically saying I’m not fit to drive (when all specialists told them I’m fit). I did get it back eventually obviously but when it comes to fitness to drive your GP, specialist etc word and opinion means absolutely diddly. The DVLA make the decision and them only.

Well, my licence arrived in the post this morning
Everything back on, and the HGV stuff all running out on my 66th birthday.
Pre-stroke, the run out date was my 65th birthday.
As I become eligible to draw my state pension from my 66th birthday, that’s when I’ll be retiring.
I haven’t had a DVLA medical, and only a quick meeting with my doctor in August this year. Previous to that was when I was in hospital last year, just after my stroke.

This year, and 4 months, off work has been a “practice for retirement”, period. It’s had plenty of highs, and lows.
It was hard going to start with, partly because my right arm wasn’t any use, partly because I didn’t have anything I had to do.
So I worked on the physio to get my hand and arm working, also really struggling to roll cig’s, but that’s an exercise in fine movement control with an instant reward Whereas the physio was more about major muscle group movement and control. I now have 2 left hands and arms, my hand writing isn’t much worse than it used to be, but it does take a lot more effort to make it legible. I also started Power walking, signed up to do the Edinburgh Kiltwalk 24 mile sponsored walk as a goal, and also signed up for a virtual walk, to get me out walking most days. To do a virtual walk, you use an app of some sort to log your exercise, which is then uploaded to the virtual walk you’ve signed up for. As I was actually walking, I used Strava, so that logged how many miles I’d done in each session, I only counted dedicated ‘training’ miles, not a short stroll to my local shops. I completed the North Coast 500 virtual walk during the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, which was the original plan. I’m pretty chuffed with that
I’ve also been working in my garden, been playing computer games (NOT truck driving games), gone to local gigs and found other things to keep me occupied.
So much so, I don’t know how I’m going to find time for working as well

Simon:
Well, my licence arrived in the post this morning
Everything back on, and the HGV stuff all running out on my 66th birthday.
Pre-stroke, the run out date was my 65th birthday.
As I become eligible to draw my state pension from my 66th birthday, that’s when I’ll be retiring.
I haven’t had a DVLA medical, and only a quick meeting with my doctor in August this year. Previous to that was when I was in hospital last year, just after my stroke.

This year, and 4 months, off work has been a “practice for retirement”, period. It’s had plenty of highs, and lows.
It was hard going to start with, partly because my right arm wasn’t any use, partly because I didn’t have anything I had to do.
So I worked on the physio to get my hand and arm working, also really struggling to roll cig’s, but that’s an exercise in fine movement control with an instant reward Whereas the physio was more about major muscle group movement and control. I now have 2 left hands and arms, my hand writing isn’t much worse than it used to be, but it does take a lot more effort to make it legible. I also started Power walking, signed up to do the Edinburgh Kiltwalk 24 mile sponsored walk as a goal, and also signed up for a virtual walk, to get me out walking most days. To do a virtual walk, you use an app of some sort to log your exercise, which is then uploaded to the virtual walk you’ve signed up for. As I was actually walking, I used Strava, so that logged how many miles I’d done in each session, I only counted dedicated ‘training’ miles, not a short stroll to my local shops. I completed the North Coast 500 virtual walk during the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, which was the original plan. I’m pretty chuffed with that
I’ve also been working in my garden, been playing computer games (NOT truck driving games), gone to local gigs and found other things to keep me occupied.
So much so, I don’t know how I’m going to find time for working as well

Nice one Simon…i’m still waiting after my stress test to hear from DVLA, it’s been 2 weeks now so if i don’t hear anything by the end of next week i shall be on the phone to them

Enjoy your retirement

RIPPER:
Nice one Simon…i’m still waiting after my stress test to hear from DVLA, it’s been 2 weeks now so if i don’t hear anything by the end of next week i shall be on the phone to them

Enjoy your retirement

I’ve still got a couple of years till I retire, I’ve just been practising for it since my stroke.
My boss has kept my job open for me, so I’ll phone him Monday morning. Hopefully back to work and earning very soon
If I could afford it, I’d be retired aready

As the OP of this thread,it seems that I owe those wonderful,dedicated,hardworking chaps and chappesses at DVLA a huge apology
They received my renewal forms last Monday after 7 days incubation by Postman Pat ,and I received my license back today…6 days
I think it’s only fair to have a can of happy juice for each of those 6 days

Baggie:
As the OP of this thread,it seems that I owe those wonderful,dedicated,hardworking chaps and chappesses at DVLA a huge apology
They received my renewal forms last Monday after 7 days incubation by Postman Pat ,and I received my license back today…6 days
I think it’s only fair to have a can of happy juice for each of those 6 days

That’s two of us got our licences, this week DVLA have clearly been working hard

Simon:

Baggie:
As the OP of this thread,it seems that I owe those wonderful,dedicated,hardworking chaps and chappesses at DVLA a huge apology
They received my renewal forms last Monday after 7 days incubation by Postman Pat ,and I received my license back today…6 days
I think it’s only fair to have a can of happy juice for each of those 6 days

That’s two of us got our licences, this week DVLA have clearly been working hard

Yeah, be nice if they did a third…ME

And Wales wonder why businesses don’t wanna set up there