Dvla Reviews 

I would not even give a 1* if there was an option of zero.
I was renewing a licence for being over 70 which, unfortunately had expired by a few days.
No problem as per the DVLA website, according to them as long as it has expired after 19th March 2026 it could be renewed online.
No chance, first problem you have to download the GOV.UK app which would not accept an expired licence.
Even using the option not to use the app I was unable to verify my identity even after giving all my details including my bank account.
This meant I could not use the app again.
No option to retry.
No option to save your progress.
No option of 'go back'
Never mind the DVLA said I could prove my identity at a Postoffice, there were even some who could take your photo and issue your licence for a fee.
Went to one that was advertised as doing exactly that, no said the Postoffice, "Not done them, for over 70, for years"
NOT stated on DVLA website.
I now have to post my application with original documents to prove who I am that, according to social posts, means I have to wait weeks or months to get my licence.
🤬

I am usually quick to complain, but my experience was so positive I felt I had to leave a good review. I had to speak to an advisor regarding my ill partner's tax, and they were so supportive and helpful, offering me some advice that saved me money and made things a lot easier, removing worry and stress. They even returned a call quicker than expected, accurately recording all the information regarding our case. In total, I spoke to 3 staff members who all helped resolve the problem. Thank you

I recently received a letter telling me i needed to renew my photo license for 10yrs, i had to pay a fee (of course nowadays they keep extracting money one way or another) as it was due to run out it June - when the license arrived it was valid for 3 months, not 10yrs........I called the dvla and they told me this was because i was sent the wrong letter, i should have been sent the application for 'renewal at 70' letter. The lady told me I had untill July to apply for the 'renewal at 70' which is 3 months before I reach 70!!!! and she told me to write in to the DVLA returning the license and asking for a renawal at 70 and a refund of the fee.........I promptly followed the instructions of the advisor, albeit now I was given misinformation as `i have today received a letter from them returning my letter and license and refusing a refund as they are contradicting what the advisor told me, telling me I cant apply for the renewal at 70 untill 3 months befoe its due, so cant apply till July, not have untill July to apply as was originally told, clearly their rigfht are does not know what the left arm is doing............so......I have paid £14 for 3 months license and i will now have the hassle of applying again in a few weeks time (or before depending who is at dvla end and whether or not i get the correct information this time) and while £14 does not seem like a lot of money, to someone in my position financially this meant i had to go without food for a week..........being a government body i know they will get away with whatever they decide to do but I hope one day they find themselves in my position and can not eat for a week because they need to pay a license fee for a couple of months - although- no doubt they will change the policy to suit themselves as they go along to suit themselves and keep out of difficulty!!!

A disgrace of service, the most rude people i had to deal in 30 years of life in UK. They careless of you problems and the service is the worst you can imagine. They screwed up my driving license renewal and I had to cancel my emergency trip to my family as i couldn't hire or drive a car. After calling them tonnes of time they didn't care at all of my family issues.

The bot online helpline is absolutely dreadful.
Please feel free to contact me to improve this dreadful service.
Over an hour waiting time is beyond a joke.

Had to renew my over 70 licence and received very good comunication and service

This place is an incompetent shambles and needs replacing ASAP. A simple task takes months every email about a specific case number is answered by different people on every occasion. They all want conflicting information and seem to keep adding on things that are required! They can never actually give a definitive list of their requirements. On investigation I’m not alone, with many suffering with the utter incompetence of this organisation. I can’t get a straight answer about anything from anyone here.

I understand government departments are stretched, you need to fix the DVLA. They are so slow at replying, you call up and some days cannot even get through.
I was told my licence had been sent out weeks ago? Still not here. Each time I call it says too busy try again later!

First medical incident December 2024 still waiting for licence on 6/6/2026 being open and honest and informed dvla back in 2024 is the worst thing I did should have not drove for 6 months and kept me mouth shut worst service ever

I deal with dvla for my imported cars first uk registration, dvla take very long time to get it done, frequent mistakes in V5 log books, it has to be sent back to them sometimes even twice with a minimum of 6 weeks delay in getting a change each time, waist of money and time, very long telephone hold to get to speak to an agent, then same reply each time to post the docs again to dvla and wait for their reply, they are only interested in making money from the public and not to offer them any reliable swift service, I think dvla still working on the pace of 1900s which is shameful and unexplainable to recent standards. Sounds like govt is not bothered any more. Regional dvla offices closed and the frustration transferred to the public.

Not polite, not even reached a basic customer service standard. Informed them about a licence being stolen abroad and needed replacement to avoid potential fraud, could not do that online as they require using the app which was not feasible at the time being. The live chat staff just informed something already written in their website, asking me to do online or using a form. Not even a single moment trying to understand the situation or tried to think differently. Wouldn’t need any real person at all if they only repeat/ copy the info already in the website. I asked for doing a survey or reflecting my disappointment, they simply ended the chat. Refused to tell me their name, no goodbye, no courtesy at all. RUDE RUDE RUDE. The worst customer service and the worst manner I came across in my life.

Their customer service is rude, and many of them lie to get you off the phone.

I have never had an issue receiving a letter from the DVLA, but when it came to sending my money back, all of a sudden it went missing.

It's been 2 months since I requested a new logbook, and there hasn't been any progress.

Great service. To change to new car and do everything online including the retention of private plate and then putting it on to new car..its virtually immediate online so therefore can change insurance information and all documents from both cars came within 7 days..very good serivce...I would recommend to do all online

Total shambles of a company I would have been sacked if I couldn’t do my job ,now 50 working days to have a complaint answered ignoring local mp emails kept my fee and telling me it would be refunded within 3/6 weeks now at week 10 disgusting way to treat people verging on fraud or misrepresentation as taking money for a service they aren’t supplying a 12 months ban now at 30 months what a joke

I received an e mail saying that my licence expired in 90 days and that I could renew it now. I tried several times but the message came up that I could not renew my drivers licence. No explanation. I called them and they told me that there was no reason for me not to renew my licence and that I had been told too early and to try again in a few weeks.

absolute joke. made a mistake and rang asking for a refund since i had already paid before and they kept the money the greedy pigs

The Examiners in charge are using the test as cash cow. There is nothing special about the test that one cannot pass. I’ve hold EU license for past 19 years and driven the whole Europe with ease but was not changed here because the licence was obtained in Africa and converted to EU.

Absolute joke of a an org, where are these people working from home oe the street I’ve just had the pleasure of speaking to someone who sounded like they’re in the high st as I could hear the wind blowing what an absolute joke how are these people hired I commented on the lack of sound but wind and she hung up in what a prized pig !!

Still nothing should've had my car license back in October of last year it is now June 2026 my HGV should've had it back in April of this year 2026 now they are telling me they have not received the paperwork for my HGV that was stamped by my consultant won't even reply to my calls even though I was in the queue for 10 minutes this was at 9 this morning it now 12-20 in the afternoon could possibly lose my job over this they don't care they are on a salary mental health through the roof thank you DVLA for being helpful

Even manifesting isn't working for me right now. My licence got revoked for 1 year which ended on 30.03.26. I applied to get my licence back 8 weeks before filling out the correct forms. Eventually got sent more forms mid April to fill out which I sent back the same day and they still haven't even written to my Oncologist for confirmation.
If I had lost my licence due to drink driving or something other criminal offence I'd have had it re issued by now, where is the fairness in that.
DVLA it is 2026, do better!!!