The DVLA has committed to making a ‘step-change’ in the way it deals with applications from professional drivers who have medical conditions.
The current paper-based system takes many weeks – often months – for applications to be processed, leaving truck, coach and bus drivers in ‘limbo’, either at their licence renewal, or when a new condition is diagnosed.
In recent years the DVLA has been undergoing a radical change to move from a largely paper-based organisation to an overwhelmingly digital one.
Setting out its Strategic Plan for 2021-2024 it says: “Changes to demographics mean that we are seeing increases in the number of applications from drivers with medical conditions.
“These are increasingly complex and will require step changes in the way we deal with them.”
The Swansea-based agency collects £7bn in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) a year, as well as maintaining vehicle and driver records.
Says DVLA CEO Julie Lennard: “We will continue to accelerate the expansion and sophistication of our digital services, including working to secure the legislative changes that will be needed to move to providing digital driving licences.”
