Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Thursday 3 February 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mike Amesbury asked about recent assessments of challenges at the DVLA, to which the response stated that online services operate normally and new services have been introduced.
  • Mike Amesbury also inquired about 26 complaints regarding delays, receiving a response that online applications are not delayed and documents are usually delivered within two to three days.
  • Helen Morgan raised concerns about young people's access to cars and independence due to DVLA and DVSA backlogs, prompting an offer from the minister to meet and discuss the issue in detail.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mike Amesbury Lab
Transport
Context

The MP notes recent issues with driving licence and other services at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of challenges facing driving licence and other services at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

Online services continue to operate normally. The DVLA has introduced new online services, recruited extra staff and secured extra premises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific assessment of challenges facing DVLA services as requested.

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Q2 Mike Amesbury Lab
Context

The MP has received multiple complaints regarding delays in processing applications at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Question

In the past three months alone, I have received 26 complaints about delays at the DVLA. What is being done to address these issues?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

I assure the House that online applications are not subject to delays and customers usually receive the documents within two to three days. We strongly encourage customers to use online services where possible. I pay tribute to the DVLA staff who have worked overtime and provided extra resources and extra sites. I am pleased to say that of the 36 cases the hon. Gentleman submitted, 32 have been closed, and I am following up the remaining four.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address the specific complaints about delays but provided general information on online services and progress made in resolving individual cases.

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Q3 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Transport
Context

The MP highlights the impact of DVLA backlogs and test centre closures on young people's ability to obtain driving licences, affecting their independence and access to social opportunities.

Question

In my constituency there is huge dependency on the private car. Given the huge backlogs arising in the DVLA, and the similar backlogs at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, many young people are being deprived of their independence and find themselves isolated both socially and from work and education opportunities. In light of this situation, the recent DVSA decision to close Whitchurch driving test centre is a hammer blow to people who want only to improve their quality of life. Will the Secretary of State commit to keeping this important facility open and thereby removing the necessity of people paying for double lessons and driving for an additional hour just to practise or attend a test?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

I am more than happy to meet the hon. Member to discuss the matter in detail. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is working hard to increase driving test availability by recruiting more driving examiners, offering out-of-hours tests and asking all those who are qualified to conduct tests to do so. I reiterate my willingness to meet the hon. Lady.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a direct commitment regarding keeping Whitchurch test centre open but offered to discuss it in detail and highlighted efforts to increase testing availability.

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