Drivers are being warned of new updates from the DVLA which could change the way motorists receive their driving licences.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) recently published its 2024-25 Business Plan, outlining the steps it is taking to make its services better for motorists.
At present, motorists should receive the documents within five days when looking to renew their driving licence or vehicle registration certificate (V5C) online.
However, when sending in paper applications, drivers are advised to allow four weeks for the new documents to be sent over.
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The DVLA will aim to make medical licensing decisions within 90 working days for 90 per cent of cases under the new plans
PA
Britons are also told not to call the DVLA during that four-week period as processing takes place. During this time, the agency will not be able to provide further information.
Under the new plans, the DVLA has a target of 95 per cent to dispatch applications made online for a driving licence, vehicle registration certificate and tachograph in three working days.
A further 90 per cent target has been put forward to dispatch applications made by post for a driving licence and vehicle registration certificate in 10 working days.
The same 90 per cent goal will be active for dispatching applications made by post for tachographs and vocational driving licences.
The DVLA does note that applications can take longer to process, especially if the driver is notifying the agency of any changes to their medical conditions.
Drivers are again told not to contact the DVLA once they have already informed the agency of a medical condition as the driver will be contacted directly.
The DVLA states that it aims to make a decision as quickly as possible, but cannot decide if they require additional information from the doctor or the driver.
For 2024-25, the DVLA will aim to make a licensing decision on medical cases within 90 working days in nine of 10 applications.
Further targets for the DVLA include retaining the Customer Service Excellence Standard and the Customer Contact Association Global Standard 8.
An ambitious 99.5 per cent target has also been outlined to provide planned customer IT service availability for vehicle tax, vehicle management, personalised registration and driver licensing online services.
The DLVA has made a concerted effort to improve its digital services and make it easier for motorists to renew their licence and access information about their vehicle tax.
Commenting on the new Business Plan, Julie Lennard, the DVLA’s chief executive and accounting officer, said the agency was underpinning its ongoing commitment to providing “world-class customer services”.
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The DVLA has been updating its online services in recent years
X/DVLA
She highlighted how the Business Plan aims to “drive up digital, be resilient, deliver great customer service and develop a skilled, motivated and flexible workforce”.
In the last reporting year, the DVLA dealt with a staggering 95.5 million individual customer transactions, with 84 per cent being processed through digital channels.