Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for vocational driving licences for (a) new applicants and (b) renewals.

Straightforward applications for vocational driving licences are being processed within normal turnaround times of ten working days.

Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals before a licence can be issued.

While the DVLA plans to enhance the online services available for vocational drivers given the clear advantages for both the DVLA and drivers in doing so, there are no current timescales available.