The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has apologised for delays in processing paper licence applications, blaming the 12-week waits on Covid-19 safety measures and "the impact of previous industrial action by" trade union members.
In a statement on its website, the DVLA said: "As a result of ongoing Covid safety measures and the impact of previous industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union, there are ongoing delays with processing paper applications.
"We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and our staff are working hard to reduce waiting times. There may be additional delays in processing more complex cases, for example, if medical investigations are needed as part of your driving licence application."
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The agency added: "There are no delays with online transactions, so please try to use the online services where possible to avoid a delay with your application." Its tracker shows some services, such as informing the DVLA about the sale of a vehicle, working with just a week or so's delay; however, other services, such as renewing an over-70's licence, are working on a near-three-month delay.
PCS union members staged industrial action throughout 2021 over a health and safety dispute, saying the DVLA was asking too many staff to be physically on site for it to be safe amid high coronavirus case numbers. The industrial action ended in November - despite 80 per cent of members voting in favour of further action - as turnout in the ballot was below the amount required to stage an official strike.
As the agency works through its backlog, it has reassured drivers that, in most cases, people can continue to drive while their applications are processed. For more information, see the DVLA website.
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