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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 419 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many people were dissatisfied with the service, finding it inefficient and slow, particularly regarding license renewals and vehicle registrations. Customers frequently encountered issues with customer service, reporting long wait times, unhelpful staff, and difficulty getting through to the correct department. The general sentiment is that the organization's response times are exceptionally poor, leading to significant frustration and delays. However, some customers also noted positive experiences, particularly with the telephone callback service, which they found efficient. A few individuals reported that specific staff members were friendly, efficient, and reassuring, helping to resolve their issues quickly.

What people talk about most

Service

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of service, consistently expressing dissatisfaction with its... See more

Customer service

Consumers consistently express strong dissatisfaction with customer service. Many report extremely long wait... See more

Staff

People report negative experiences with staff, consistently describing them as unhelpful, incompetent, and... See more

Customer communications

Users describe negative interactions with contact. Many reviewers report extreme difficulty reaching customer... See more

Response time

Customers consistently express significant frustration with response times. Many report extremely long waits... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Turned off the ability to review them on google because they were getting so many bad reviews. What about improving the service??? Anyway..it’s 2026 and you’re still using paper forms? What a joke.... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Just read a few of the reviews and looking that the ratings dvla has I don't know how to make my mind up. Sent an application for lost v5 not in my name, just over 4 weeks later I'm told this UK regi... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sent my licence back to change my home address. Every detail was correct, crossed the box referencing address change. 2 weeks later recieve my licence back with a cheeky letter telling me I can't chan... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have spent 9 hrs over two days trying to log a medical condition. I tried online but it doesn't recognise my driving license - nothing wrong with it and I have been trying to start a chat. I've wait... See more


1.3

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

2K reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Possibly the worst government employees…

Possibly the worst government employees in the country. Put in an application for a driving lisence, followed their guidance exactly. Sent back the application late and did not action, requiring me to fill out sections - that when I telephoned to clarify were not required!

February 14, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Victim of identity fraud Dvla dont care unless they are making money

Victim of identity fraud. Someone changed my photo and address on my official driving licence record. DVLA have not responded in over a week despite my MP writing to them, an ICO complaint being active and multiple phone calls. Two recorded calls where their own agents admit they've never seen this happen before. Avoid expecting any urgent help from this organisation if you're a fraud victim. Absolutely disgraceful response to a serious crime.

February 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolute slopey shouldered waste of…

Absolute slopey shouldered waste of space

Why should I bother to keep my cars within the law when there are plenty out there that don`t bother. Perhaps I should do the same, clearly nobody there gives a shit.

March 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I am extremely frustrated with DVLA…

I am extremely frustrated with DVLA specifically the process of applying for my Sons provisional licence which has been passed to the 'medical department'.
As part of the application process you have to answer some very broad questions regarding your medical history. My Son was in hospital for a head injury 12 years ago and signed off 10 years ago however there was nowhere we could informe DVLA of this. We felt obligated to answer yes to the question as it stated not answering correctly could lead to being fined or worse.
We have contacted DVLA as they have had the application since before Christmas. The lady simply answered that the DVLA doesnt give timescales.

We are now in the position where his 17th birthday is looming and DVLA refuse to give him an update on when he will get his licence.
This is a joke - its simply not good enough.

March 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Such an old dated way of dealing with…

Such an old dated way of dealing with things.
Refund? We will send you a cheque in the post like it's 1982.

Just to get replacement cheques sent I have been asked by the DVLA for the following information,

Driving Licence Numbers.
Driving Test Reference Numbers.
Time, date and locations (for both theory and practical)
The name, address and post code of the person who the cheques were issued to.
The date the original cheque was issued.

Why do you need my test location and date? My driving test was 2007, am I expected to have this information at hand? Some where in West Wickham with a man called Jerry. It was a Toyota Corolla diesel in silver. . .
Absolute joke of a system.
Cheque?? Really.

March 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dreadful

Absolute nightmare Tried several times to renew my over 70 driving licence Had to download app Was sent code after code some didn't even come through Finally got as far as the photo which failed to send Started again only told an error occured Never known such a bad online service as this one Had to resort to paper application and post .Now probably a long wait to get it back !!

March 3, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely disgusting!

Absolutely disgusting. I rang, nearly 50 times, over a 2 month period, and sent numerous emails, trying to find out if I was allowed to drive or not.
This was due to a small head injury, which my GP told me I had to inform DVLA about.
Despite explaining that I am starting cancer treatment at the end of March, and was desperate to know, I received one call back, in November, saying "we'll mark your case as urgent".
I heard absolutely nothing after that.
As a result, I had to have some counselling sessions, as my stress was going through the roof.
I don't know what these people do during their shift, if anything.

November 25, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was having a nightmare taxing my car

I was having a nightmare taxing my car, all of my documents were at dvla and my car tax had expired 2 days ago. I rang and spoke to a young lad at dvla and I've got to say he was so helpful, he sorted it for me. I was able to tax my car, he sent me an email to prove it was taxed in case I got stopped, and explained how to apply for the 50% disabled tax when my documents came, and also how to apply for a refund.

March 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely woeful site

Just spent the last 30 mins trying to apply for a replacement driving licence. I was sent to various sections where I had to complete sign ins , register for accounts and then eventually had to take a photo of my passport, which the app refused to allow: "move fingers, avoid white backgrounds etc where there were no fingers or white backgrounds. Eventually I gave up. It's a disgrace.

March 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Computer says no - I'm a gov department and oh so slow!!!

What is is with government departments - they accept no responsibility if they make a mistake. If they were in the private sector they would have been binned off. My daughter has a brand new car which she has been unable to drive since receipt (beginning February) due to some idiot at DVLA ticking the wrong box. They are so slow in sending out the forms which she needs to get it sorted as it is a government department and sooooo protected that they don't have to do what they should be doing. The car has sat on the drive and she is having to get Ubers to jobs that she cannot get to by public transport. She was given advice to get taxed at post office who have told her she cannot as she is not the registered owner of this brand new car due to the DVLA mistake. I hate the idea that my tax pays the salaries of these idiots :(

February 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Waste of time

Absolute shite total wasted time trying to get this to work ,usual government piece of crap .Very very disappointed .Will have to go to post office now and just pay the extra .Absolute con to the British people.

March 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Incompetence personified

The DVLA still suffers from rank incompetence and appears to be staffed by a hoard of disinterested individuals who have no interest in their work and no knowledge of the massive Classic Car world. Utterly, utterly useless

March 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Had a bus medical September had to wait…

Had a bus medical September had to wait till February to get a treadmill test passed that 11th February received letter from doctor saying I had passed we will be in march when I can ring them and ask where is my license. They are not fit for purpose just like the government let's get rid now

September 11, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What you don’t need to work for DVLA???

Called to report 2 cars without any road tax nor mot , only to be told …I have to write an email OR write a letter!!! 2026 !!!!write a letter and post it !!!!
Bunch of totally unprofessional people !!!
How DVLA manage to hire those people??? What’s the hire criteria??

February 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The most shocking unhelpful service i…

The most shocking unhelpful service i have ever dealt with. no help no advise, all my fault as i never captured a reference number. abolish this service and get some professionals into run, these people couldn't run a bath! disappointed.

February 24, 2026
Unprompted review

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