Re: Ot: Driving Licence Delay...?

A few weeks ago I renewed my over-70 licence (online) on a Thursday and the replacement arrived on the following Monday.

That is only possible if you have a passport, if you don't then you have to go through the paper process.

In message snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net>, Jeff Gaines <jgaines snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk> writes

However, it seems that the passport still has to be current. Mine had expired a year earlier, and I had to fill in the paper form.

Yep, I tried to use an expired passport too without success :-(

In message snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net>, Jeff Gaines <jgaines snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk> writes

The one that had expired had actually never been used, and as I have my doubts if I'll ever be going abroad again, I'm debating as to whether I should get a new one. On the other hand, the way things are developing in the UK it seems that an increasing number of organisations need or prefer a passport as an ID document (for all sorts of reasons, eg three-yearly driving licence renewal), so I'm wondering if I should simply get one for the occasional convenience it might provide. [My wife's passport expires in a couple of months, so the same applies to her. On the other hand, at £75.50 each, is it really worth it?]

It's worth thinking about, £75 over ten years doesn't sound so bad?

The real issue with driving licences is the commie union man who seems to run the place.

According to reports, that would be unusual.

If you hold a valid passport there is a very quick turn round. It's when you don't the wait starts.

Yes... but why *should* it?

Is the DVLA run for the benefit of the population at large or just for the benefit of those who happen to have jobs there?

It happens because the process links to your passport picture, perhaps t's fully automated?

The DVLA is run by today's equivalent of Red Robbo for his grandisement, I think its an external agency so should be relieved of its contract and replaced.

That cannot be "the process".

It can only be *a* process.

Not every licenced driver has an up-to-date passport (if they have one at all). But they need the licence in order to be allowed to drive legally. So "the process" has primarily to be one that responds to written applications (as it always did until recently).

It isn't an external agency. It is a branch of the civil service.

It's "the" process for issuing licences.

That's right, I don't have a passport any more, see my comments about Red Robbo.

So it's civil servants enjoying a Covid holiday at our expense.

It can't be. Not everyone has a passport.

So "the" system doesn't apply to you.

It cannot be the system. At best it can be one of several systems.

It would appear that some of the recent criticism of departments - for not ensuring sufficient attendance to provide the required service for the public - is well justified.

In message snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net>, Jeff Gaines <jgaines snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk> writes

Yes - you might be right about the cost, when you realise that the 'passport' now serves more functions than simply the ability to travel abroad 'without let or hindrance'.

I really can't be arsed to get invoked in the pedantic drivel that you display on the legal group and moderation group. What I said is perfectly clear, if you can't understand it then you have a problem.

"The system" implies that there is only one system.

"A system" implies that it is merely one of several systems (and there is more than one).

It really couldn't be more straightforward.

Not feasible to say have five times the staff so there are enough at work to do that just for the unknown time when the virus is a problem.

It's a good job that the department concerned doesn't attempt the unfeasible, then.

Isn't it?