A woman who has been driving since 1978 now faces a startling revelation from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that disputes her right to be on the road. The DVLA has informed her that there is no record of her ever passing a driving test, despite her clear recollection of doing so. This dispute has arisen as she attempted to renew her driving licence amidst a breast cancer diagnosis, leaving her in a precarious situation.
The woman's troubles began when she sent a scan of her old paper licence to the DVLA as evidence of her driving history. However, the DVLA maintains its stance that it has no record of her passing a category B (car) driving test and holding a full licence. Despite the woman's repeated requests for a reassessment of her case, the agency's position remains unchanged. This impasse has led to the exhaustion of the DVLA's formal complaints procedure, resulting in the case being transferred to an independent complaints assessor for further review.
Her recollections are vivid; she distinctly remembers sitting for her driving test decades ago. However, according to the DVLA, the only records they have indicate that she was issued a provisional licence in 1976 and subsequently passed a test for group E—now known as category P—for two-wheeled vehicles with engines up to 50cc in 1977. The issuance of a driving licence in 1978 is documented, but crucially, not for category B, which covers standard cars.
The DVLA asserts that their backup systems, which include microfiche records, hold the details of every licence issued for over 30 years. Nonetheless, there is speculation that during the digitisation of older records, her information may have become entangled with someone else's. This potential mix-up leaves her in a legal quandary—one that questions her ability to drive legally.
Adding to the complexity of this situation is the emotional and physical toll it is taking on the woman. Diagnosed with breast cancer around the time she sought to renew her licence, she now grapples with both health challenges and legal uncertainties. The timing of these events has added layers of stress to an already difficult period in her life.
The notion of retaking a driving test is not only daunting but carries an implication she finds unacceptable. She believes that sitting for a new test would be akin to admitting she knowingly drove illegally for over 40 years—a claim she firmly refutes given her consistent belief in having fulfilled all necessary requirements decades ago.