Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the time taken by the DVLA to (a) renew driving licences and (b) respond to queries.

The quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence is to do so online. All the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) online services are available and working as normal. Postal applications have to be dealt with in person and will therefore take longer to process as the DVLA has a reduced number of staff on-site to comply with social distancing requirements and ensure staff safety.

All photocard driving licences expiring between 1 February and 31 August have been extended by seven months. Drivers do not need to take any action to benefit from this change and the DVLA will write to them when their licence is due for renewal.

The DVLA’s contact centre is open for all customers Monday to Friday 8am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm, and Saturday 8am to 2pm.