The DVLA's medical licensing system remains stubbornly analogue, with no proactive email communication or status updates. Constituents often wait months for decisions and must chase their MPs to receive assistance. This manual process results in delays and unnecessary stress for people who need to prove they are fit to drive. The taxi driver and councillor examples illustrate the systemic issues affecting various professions.

MPs lack medical knowledge to determine someone's fitness to drive, so it should not be their responsibility to intervene in these cases. The DVLA needs to address the issue and provide a more efficient process.

There is an effective two-tier system where those using the digital platform receive quick responses while those with medical conditions face significant administrative hurdles. Constituents report that the DVLA responds poorly to MPs' offices, indicating a need for systemic change.

The challenges highlighted by Vikki Slade are well illustrated. There is an urgent need for an update from the Minister on digitising the medical licensing system and ensuring it runs parallel with other processes to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

Highlighted the importance of number plates in enforcing road rules and identified systemic issues within DVLA regarding number plate sales and registered keeper information. Criticised the current lack of regulation for number plate suppliers, noting that there are over 34,000 suppliers with no background checks. Emphasised the dangers posed by ghost plates used to evade law enforcement and commit crimes. Raised concerns about vehicles lacking a registered keeper and suggested that lax rules contribute to untraceability of vehicles involved in hit-and-runs and other violations. Discussed financial implications on insurance premiums and public sector losses due to unpaid fines.

My constituent with stage 4 lung cancer surrendered their driving licence responsibly in August 2024 due to medical advice but is still waiting for a decision nine months later despite submitting multiple complaints. The DVLA’s backlog of cases and lack of communication cause real human consequences like loss of independence, missed appointments, and isolation from support networks.

Young people in North Warwickshire and Bedworth face long waiting times for driving tests, impacting their education, training, and job opportunities. In rural areas, a driving licence is crucial for independence and mobility. Delays also affect the freight and logistics industry's hiring process and prevent elderly constituents from accessing essential services.

The Speaker reminded Members that driving tests are governed by the DVSA, not the DVLA. The debate should focus specifically on the DVLA’s issues such as delays in processing licences for people with medical conditions.

A young constituent has been unable to obtain a provisional driving licence due to long delays and poor communication from the DVLA. This affects their ability to work and attend interviews, leading to loss of income and opportunities. The Public Accounts Committee reported that over 3 million people face long delays in application processes, causing stress and isolation for those affected.

I thank colleagues for raising issues regarding the DVLA's handling of medical cases, highlighting specific examples from my constituency where elderly individuals faced significant delays in having their driving licences restored after being medically cleared. These delays caused major disruptions to daily life and livelihoods. I emphasise that a system dependent on MPs' interventions is unacceptable, especially considering the critical role cars play for constituents who rely heavily on them. The need for clearer timelines and improved communication from DVLA is paramount.

I commend my hon. Friend for securing this debate, highlighting the numerous cases of DVLA failures affecting constituents with medical conditions, leading to significant financial and personal hardships. These delays stem from a variety of administrative issues, including incorrect information handling and backlogs in processing medical renewals. I call on the Government to address these systemic problems and follow through on the Public Accounts Committee's recommendations for a strategic review involving DVLA, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS.

I congratulate my hon. Friend for bringing this debate forward, emphasising the unacceptable delays faced by constituents like Kevin Flemming who have gone through medical procedures and await licence restoration despite being medically cleared. These delays not only disrupt daily life but also lead to significant financial decisions impacting families' futures. The reliance on parliamentary intervention to resolve these issues is unjustifiable, highlighting a fundamental failure of DVLA's service delivery.

Welcomed the debate, highlighted shortcomings in medical licence renewal process, cited specific constituent case showing lack of transparency and poor service. Called for accurate information from helpline, parallel inquiries to GPs/specialists at application stage, and a formal fast-track system for clear-cut cases.

Congratulated the MP who secured debate. Highlighted issues with paper-based system leading to delays, lack of coordination between DVLA and clinicians, long processing times causing significant inconvenience and frustration for constituents. Welcomed new staff recruitment but called for more actions to reduce waiting times.

We need a well-functioning DVLA for road safety, public faith in institutions, and efficient administration of vehicle excise duty. The current delays in medical driving licences, the complexity of VED, and the challenges posed by electric vehicles and autonomous cars highlight the need for structural reform. Constituents have faced long unexplained waits for licence renewal and confusing communication processes.

Congratulated the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole on securing the debate, highlighted the essential role of DVLA in maintaining driver safety and noted the huge disruption caused by the pandemic exposing its weaknesses. Cited statistics showing that last year DVLA collected £8.4 billion of vehicle excise duty, maintained 53 million driver records, and processed over 100 million customer transactions. Emphasised the unacceptable waiting times for medical cases decisions exceeding government targets and expressed concern about the Department's reform plans, questioning if the Government is meeting their efficiency goals.

Referred to a constituent with stage 4 cancer who has been waiting nine months for a decision on their medical case. Highlighted the unacceptable delay and called for immediate action from the Government to improve the situation.

Highlighted the problem of cloned number plates, citing an example where a manufacturer was fined £5,000 with a five-year ban but not permanently barred. Called for new legislation to penalise manufacturers and drivers using cloned plates more severely.

The DVLA handles billions of interactions each year, with over 84% of transactions now completed online. While standard licence applications are processed in two to three days, medical licensing services have faced significant delays and frustration from constituents. Demand for medical licensing decisions has risen sharply due to an ageing population. The DVLA is working on modernising its IT system and increasing staffing capacity to address these issues, aiming for a digital casework system that reduces decision times significantly. Since September 2025, all new and renewed medical cases have been processed through a single digital environment, and the average time to make a licensing decision in April was 56.6 working days, down from 71.4 days in February. The DVLA is also consulting on measures to improve road safety, such as mandatory eye testing for drivers aged 70 and over and developing options for cognitive testing.

Expresses gratitude to Members who spoke and the Minister for their comments. Acknowledges the Backbench Business Committee Chair for allowing the debate, and thanks her caseworkers for their efforts in assisting constituents with DVLA issues. Praises the Minister's apology and looks forward to an efficient system when renewing licences.