We were fully intending for this to be one story, however the investigations into the abuse and verging on criminal behaviour at times of DVLA civil servants, this will be extended and categorised into those based upon Licensing, V5C Documentation, Record Keeping, and DVLA system failures. We have written to DVLA and asked for a response, no explanation has yet come forward. DVLA press office have stated they were not happy that staff were seen to behave in this way, and considered the allegations serious. That said, if this were the case, why have so many complaints been stonewalled? We have also written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP whom we have not yet had a response from. We are open to discuss our finding with them at any time.
So why is this important, and what does it have to do with Bike Theft? There are links to bike theft and also as a community we are disproportionately at risk. We have seen DVLA erroneously handing out V5C to thieves after theft, leaving the rightful owner out of pocket and seeing their machine on the road or for sale. We have seen issues where stolen vehicles have attracted fines years after they were ‘lost’ to theft due to automated systems that DVLA staff claim are not linked – with owners facing demands for payment and an appeal process that does not work. An inadequate complaints system that is so overwhelmed that DVLA have gone to bailiffs to enforce payment before they have investigated the complaint – by accident or designed to benefit themselves financially is debatable. We have seen previous owners chased to the courts over vehicles sold and declared sold years prior, due to errors or possible criminal behaviour between DVLA & other Government bodies. We won’t mention any names, just the story – they know who they are and we will assist them further where possible.
Part one will deal with Licenses. Errors, Categories and Medical Revocations.
Imaginary Health Conditions to Wasp Stings – The fight to keep your licence
DVLA are pushing hard to force everyone onto digital services, but time and time again we see proof that the digital services we are having forced upon us failing and the DVLA are stoic in their position ‘We are infallible, if anything fails we are notified and we have no records of any failings’ This excuse is used to shut down all enquiries or complaints about errors made at DVLA time and time again – and even when they have no choice but accept there was an error the result is the wall of silence. No response, ignore and deny.
At the time of writing, DVLA have issued a press story online, stating that drivers will have their car towed away if they do not get and online account immediately. This is scaremongering using the untaxed vehicle tow away powers to force you into ‘voluntary’ sign up of the new Digital ID scheme, or ONE GOV account that links all your personal details in one place for monitoring by the state. This includes your income, bank, health records, employment, what you buy and sell day to day to make sure you declare to HMRC as well of course, your vehicle and driving records. This enables anyone access to your life upon request, even a roadside stop an officer will be given details of your income and job for example. This is the world of automated state control and monitoring and in this modern world it is to be expected as money is to be made from our data.
Though this is not something we would be able to escape, as even though it was one of Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer’s many U-Turns, his promise that it would be a voluntary basis like many of his claims could not withstand the test of honesty. In order to claim benefits – you have to have an account and sign up to monitoring. If you renew your driving licence, you need to have an account and if you need medical assistance – you get the picture! This is no more voluntary than being on house arrest if you do not.
The point is, that the DVLA are not up to the accuracy demanded by a state monitoring system
The errors made already at such an early stage have started seeing many having driving licences revoked, due to medical conditions that there is no record of the victim having, or assumptions based upon no evidence. One such as a woman kept overnight after being stung after disturbing a wasp nest having a 2 year revocation‘just in case she has a fit’ – almost a year after the incident with no after affects, ever. They kept her overnight in case of shock, she was fine and went home the following morning. Yet, her licence is being revoked due to something that never happened. This is not a one-off either, as one male recounted his revocation upon medical grounds due to ‘Depression’ – something he was fortunate enough to have never suffered from, nor ever been diagnosed with or treated for. He complained, but was told he would have to sit on a waiting list for a medical examination to clear him fit to drive. Current NHS time listed with rethink.org is currently 658 DAYS – almost two years!
His doctor wrote to DVLA stating that there was NO MEDICAL EVIDENCE his patient ever having suffered any form of mental health illness. Eventually the licence was reinstated claiming they had his records ‘mixed up with someone else’s’ Hundreds more have made similar complaints and they rise daily as dozens more join. DVLA proudly claim to have revoked 32.944 licences in this manner in the name of ‘road safety’ – but how many of these had no health conditions? How many were perfectly capable of driving safely even if they did have a health condition? People with Diabetes for example are particularly hard hit, but those managed by medication or diet and are stable pose no risk at all. But they to, are being removed from the road.
The Repercussions for victims can be devastating: Loss of Jobs, Income, Homes and stability are commonplace & DVLA refuse to acknowledge their responsibility
Medical record mistakes attract hundreds of complaints on social media forums and Facebook groups. One thing is reflected in all – the One Gov account. What you are being forced to sign up to is not fit for purpose. The DVLA are not fit for purpose, poorly managed with failings being ignored for decades. You keep inputting the wrong data and the wrong data comes out – denial won’t change that. It needs to be addressed and reformed, but we are constantly finding ourselves victims of DVLA incompetence. Digital ID used here, means that DVLA untrained contractors have access to medical records making snap decisions on scant experience and doctors are legally bound to report your medical conditions to them, even if it has nothing to do with your ability to drive. The lady with the wasp stings a perfect example: She never had any complications, but a contractor googling what may happen in worst case scenario, then yes a fit could. but not almost a year after the event and already been medically cleared. It is a huge over-step!
Attention to detail
We are aware of one case that has spanned decades, involved numerous ministers, MP’s and even a Prime Minister! None managed to get through the wall of silence. This started when the victim changed to a card style licence way back in 1998. The paper one was sent off and it never came back – so enquiries were made after a month of two passed. The DVLA call centre laughed and said they had cancelled it by mistake,, and assumed he was surrendering his licence. The box ticked clearly stated that is was an exchange for a card style. Eventually, the card was returned – only it was missing something. He had passed his motorcycle test long before he ever drove a car. It appeared in deleting records, they had lost this too. They had no record of him ever passing his test, and was told he would have to retake his motorcycle test again. Back when his bike test was passed, you were given a card to sent to DVLA to get your licence – you never had a pass certificate, it was on trust that they issued it. That would NEVER be reinstated. This was investigated many times over the years, and brought up with other administrative failings, but was never resolved. each time ending in stonewall silence and refusal to answer or respond. This often is the case when the DVLA have exhausted all means to excuse and gaslight victims that they are at fault. This is extensive, so we will return to this case at a later date as it demonstrates the lengths DVLA will go to to hide errors.
It doesn’t take you long to find others that have experienced this story. there are hundreds if not thousands that have befallen the growing maladministration and lack of accountability that has grown within DVLA. One elderly gent that is still riding, and a true biker having NEVER owned a car and still riding in his seventies, heard of this story on Youtube. He checked his own licence and discovered that he too, had his bike entitlement removed – without being told, and was left stunned. It showed as a full licence, but restricted to a trike. This then didn’t make any sense – he had no car licence, so this would be a provisional? That wouldn’t have included trike unless he had passed a car test under grandfather rights. We didn’t hear back on how that ended, and if you are reading this – do get in touch! We would like to know what happened.
Others errors are more natural, such as misspelling and punctuation. Although this should be easy to fix, and often a name misspelled on a photocard is quickly noticed and rectified – their records many not match what is on the licence, and that is something you cannot control, and will have great difficulty rectifying. One case where a name misspelling was rectified on the physical license opened up a can of worms lasting several decades of errors on records at DVLA. This may sound trivial – but had ongoing repercussions. A check at work meant the victim not only lost one job, but three over the years from licence check failures. These included a misspelled name, first and middle names joined as one, and punctuation from periods to hyphenation used in error. It appeared every time it was corrected, another error was made. In one case a DVLA staff member swore at the victim and blame them for having a ‘ ****ing stupid name’ The complaint that this instigated was refused due by DVLA stating they could not identify the call handler due to her given name being common in Wales. Wholly untrue, as the could have traced the call from the recorded number. I would argue they knew they had overstepped the mark, and default is to hide and deny.
The knock-on effect with licence errors is not only job losses, but at Police checks may make it appear that you do not have a licence at all. This could mean that a car is seized, you can be prosecuted for driving without licence or insurance ( one case above had insurance cancelled due to licence error) and again have trouble with jobs, paying your rent or mortgage or worse. DVLA never appear to apologise and will resist rectifying issues, instead stating that the victim is to live with it, or pay more to retake driving tests. Those with medical issues have been told to attend driving assessments in towns hundreds of miles away from where they live, when a local driving instructor is just as qualified to determine if a driver is safe or not.
What DVLA are very good at, it finding problems instead of solutions! I would argue strongly that some take great pleasure in doing so. With Digital ID coming in by whatever means, this will only exacerbate a problem that is already there. Notwithstanding the failures in every department (many you will hear of later) with no physical proof – it is reliant on the accuracy and trust of the department. Both of which as lacking and woefully inadequate to cope. What we are approaching, is a surveillance state when your freedom can be held to ransom at the whim of a stranger. Where what is right, or accurate is meaningless. You are feeding the ego of a civil servant, based upon compliance and subservience. That word will return in another part as a reason given by DVLA for failing to action a formal request. Stay tuned.
Thank you for all that have participated. There were many hundreds and if yours is not mentioned, I apologise – so many stories, repeating themselves and I need to keep articles brief as possible. These will be on file and if any legal representatives wish to take this further as a group action, then we can assist in that.
