Trainers slam backlog
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• Driver training schools throughout the UK claim that a backlog in processing LGV applications at the DVLA could put them out of business.
Most schools say they have had to wait up to six weeks for processing since the DVLA took over the licence system on 1 April.
"We have dealt with 110 inquiries since 1 April and have hardly anyone coming back for training," says Bob Stock of Commercial Transport Training, Leighton Buzzard, Beds: "The Cambridge Traffic Area Office told me there was a problem at Swansea. Add that to the recession and it is threatening to put me out of business."
Linda Langdon-Tarrant of C&L Transport Training, Towcester, Northants told the DVLA: You should take on some temporary staff. Why should I lose my business just because you haven't got enough people?"
At Leicester, John Coates, boss of J Coates (HGV Services) is having similar problems: "We have had to put our instructors on holiday because there is nothing for them to do," he says.
"The DVLA has known about this change for a long time," he says. "Most of the people we talk to there are very professional, but the fact is that the people at the top have not got their act together."
Coates says one way to beat the six-week waiting list is to ask applicants to apply in advance by recorded-delivery post. This can reduce waiting time to nine days, he has found.
But he does not have an answer to the problem of getting hold of LGV application forms. "The D200 booklet explaining the new system is first class, but it says you should get D2 application forms and medical forms from the Traffic Area Offices," he says. "But the TAOs just refer you to the DVLA. We have contacted the DVLA urging them to send us 500 forms. They will only send 50 at a time—the Cambridge TAO will only send out one at a time!"
Many training schools are angry about the lack of information from the DVLA. Karen Martyn of the Cornwall Training Centre, St Austell, explains: "We are having all sorts of problems with the DVLA. We are losing money, but when we call up the DVLA says that under the Data Protection Act they can only deal with applicants directly."
However, the DVLA did win support from Peter Hodgson, chief executive of West Herts Transport Training, St Albans, Hens: "We have found people have been getting their licences through in a couple of weeks. Most of our drivers applied through the Metropolitan Traffic Area and it could be that the Met has handled the changeover more smoothly than some other areas," he says.
The DVLA blames the backlog inherited from the TAOs: "The processing of LGV applications has been given top priority," says a spokeswoman. "We are now able to process forms in eight days, which is faster than the TAOs achieved."