Hundreds of motorists applying for updates to their driving licence through the post are facing a three month wait due to a backlog of applications, DVLA figures have shown.
Elderly drivers are currently facing a 12 week wait when applying to renew their driving licences through the post.
People aged 70 and over are required to renew their driving licence every three years under current rules.
A backlog has emerged over the past two years due to the impacts of the Covid pandemic, which has left many people without valid driving documents.
The DVLA has said that the disruption is due to Covid and social distancing measures at its main office in Swansea, Wales.
The problems are also having a knock on effect on drivers applying for crucial documents through the post - including those who have been disqualified or had their licences revoked.
Similar delays are also being felt in people applying for a new licence with a new photo - which is required every 10 years.
People seeking to change the name and address on their passport face a wait of nine weeks, while new learner drivers on the hunt for their first provisional are said to be waiting 10 and a half weeks for a response.
Drivers can still drive while they are waiting on their applications processing through the system.
There are some situations where this is not possible, including if the doctor tells you that you cannot drive or if the DVLA hasn’t received your application within the last year.
The DVLA suffered backlogs affecting more than 400,000 paper licence applications last year.
Online applications are understood to be processing as normal, the Mirror reports.
A statement on the DVLA website has apologised to customers waiting for their vital documents to come through.
The organisation added: “There may be additional delays in processing more complex cases, for example, if medical investigations are needed as part of your driving licence application.”
A DVLA spokesperson said: “We handle millions of transactions every year and there are no delays with our online services, which have been working as normal throughout the pandemic and we encourage customers to use these where possible."
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