Hi,
Not sure if this belongs here or in the main UK Expat section.
My wife, who is American, has been over here for 3.5 years now. We live close to the shops and good transport links so have only recently decided that getting a UK driving licence would be a good idea.
Having applied they sent a D801(a) form, however it stated that it needed to be returned within 40 days and that extra id would be required in the form of a port or BRP card, for which they bear no responsibility if they lose the document.
We received this on the 13th December - unfortunately we were due to leave to America on the 27th December for a month, therefore missing the deadline. Perhaps we could have sent the BRP, but we weren't sure if we'd ever need that to re-enter the country. A risk we'd both rather not take.
We are now at a complete standstill as the DVLA don't take any calls, you just get a message basically saying that they are busy and are not answering calls. The Webchat redirects you to the same phone number. And they don't reply to emails.
We're half tempted to complete the original application knowing that as they are so far behind on applications that possibly the 40 day rule surely isn't applying right now. A lady I work with sent off an applications for her sons provisional almost 9 months ago and has still not heard a thing. This does not fill me with much confidence.
Anyone had similar dealings? Did you come to any kind of sensible resoloution?
Any idea where we stand if the DVLA lose the BRP or have it so long that it expires?
Many thanks
Ben
Not sure if this belongs here or in the main UK Expat section.
My wife, who is American, has been over here for 3.5 years now. We live close to the shops and good transport links so have only recently decided that getting a UK driving licence would be a good idea.
Having applied they sent a D801(a) form, however it stated that it needed to be returned within 40 days and that extra id would be required in the form of a port or BRP card, for which they bear no responsibility if they lose the document.
We received this on the 13th December - unfortunately we were due to leave to America on the 27th December for a month, therefore missing the deadline. Perhaps we could have sent the BRP, but we weren't sure if we'd ever need that to re-enter the country. A risk we'd both rather not take.
We are now at a complete standstill as the DVLA don't take any calls, you just get a message basically saying that they are busy and are not answering calls. The Webchat redirects you to the same phone number. And they don't reply to emails.
We're half tempted to complete the original application knowing that as they are so far behind on applications that possibly the 40 day rule surely isn't applying right now. A lady I work with sent off an applications for her sons provisional almost 9 months ago and has still not heard a thing. This does not fill me with much confidence.
Anyone had similar dealings? Did you come to any kind of sensible resoloution?
Any idea where we stand if the DVLA lose the BRP or have it so long that it expires?
Many thanks
Ben
