Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the average time taken for the DVLA to process paper licence applications; and if he will take steps to reduce the average time taken to process those applications.

The quickest and easiest way to apply for a driving licence is by using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online service. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their licence within a few days.

However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application and the DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail every day. To help reduce waiting times for paper applications, the DVLA has introduced additional online services, recruited more staff, increased overtime working and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham. There may be additional delays in processing more complex transactions, for example if medical investigations are needed. The latest information on turnaround times for paper driving licence applications can be found here.

The large majority of applicants renewing an existing licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information can be found online here.

The table below shows the average processing time for ordinary driving licence applications between 1 April 2021 and 28 February 2022 in working days, by new applications, renewal applications and replacement applications.