Sometimes the government surprises
Having now lived in Preston for over 7 years I thought it was about time I made it legal and got the address changed on my driving licence. I also still had the old paper version too so thought it better to get into the 21st Century with a photo driving licence.
I nipped on to the DVLA website on Saturday evening to find out how to get a new one. Expecting to have to queue at the local post office with all the old dears collecting their pensions, the first surprise I had is that you can now apply online for a new one. The form is a bit long winded and took a while to complete, but it’s logical and only asks for the information needed. It also checks the answers you give to the details they already have on record for you. Amazingly, it worked too and didn’t crash once.
How do they get the photo and signature from you? You enter your passport details and if you agree to use the same details, they put your passport photo and signature on. No need to get down to the local passport photo booth. Nice to see government departments working together.
The second surprise is I got home last night to find my new photo driving licence on the door mat waiting for me. That’s three working days!
I’m sure the contract to build the system overran by three years and had a budget to rival the London Olympics but I’m impressed. Well done DVLA.