Click above to see the reminder they sent me complete with threat of £1,000 fine if I don't go over the sea to Skye
Maybe we should not be too surprised about the planned closures of DVLA offices. The ones that are there now are a disgrace with late reminders, lost paperwork and attempts to cover up by blaming other people.
The latest person to be targeted by the useless DVLA dingbats is me. They have decided I need to update the photo on my driving licence. Fair enough. But they insist I can only do it - in Kyle of Lochalsh.
Let me get this right – I am expected to travel 100 miles, take a day or maybe two off work including a four-hour return ferry journey, just to change the photo on my licence? Yep. Will they reimburse me the estimated travel costs £140 plus loss of earnings which this will cost me? Nope.
My own photos won’t do, apparently, because I don’t have a passport issued in the last five years. Pfft?
Helpfully, DVLA has listed my “nearest participating Post Office branches” – in other words with staff who know how to use a camera. They have sent me a list of two – both of them which are Skyeways in Kyle. What about the two Stornoway post offices? Nah, not good enough, they say. Staff in Stornoway must be too shaky.
I called DVLA and asked them to help me. They would get back to me. That was weeks ago and I’ve heard nothing. My existing photo will “expire” next week.
And our MP wants to stop the DVLA closures? Why? DVLA is currently proving itself to be as useful as a chocolate fireguard.
A troupe of monkeys could do better than what DVLA has done to resolve the needless problems which that agency is now causing me. I only hope our elected representatives will do something to address DVLA’s failings before they make a final decision on its future. I hope you’ll put my thoughts in your consultation, Mr Macneil.
So, to sum up. As well as a £20 upgrade fee, DVLA has also warned me that I will be fined £1,000 and be banned from the road if I do not comply with their barmy instructions which I estimate will cost me about £140 – plus a day or two’s loss of earnings. And I am being asked to support the organisation responsible for this fiasco? It is time for a clear out, methinks and get it back to basics.
PS – DVLA must be thinking of throwing me in jail. The reminder is from Nadine Davies from its Central Capture Unit.
