DVLA waiting times

That this House is dismayed by the growing backlog of licence applications at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; recognises that the ability to drive is vital to many people’s capacity to work and pursue the life of their choice; understands that the pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to the work of the DVLA; notes that over 125,000 paper licence applications are waiting to be processed, while 1.4 million items of correspondence by post remain unopened; further notes the sharp increase in the size of the backlog since the beginning of the pandemic; acknowledges that licence and licence renewal applicants are currently facing processing delays of up to 10 weeks; highlights with concern the unique burden placed on those with medical conditions who require their medical forms to be physically processed, whose processing times are up to six months; calls upon the Government to mobilise the resources necessary to clear the backlog at the DVLA, and supports the return of reliable, efficient, and covid-safe services to all British drivers.