Motorcycle DSA Theory Test

[jimmy4237]

Confusion here:

A work colleague of mine has held his full car licence since 1980's. He also got a full HGV 1 licence. He had a full bike licence, but due to the great swansea bike licence screw up, when he changed house a couple of times, and the DVLA were changing from the paper licence to the photo one, they failed to put the bike entitlement back on his licence. He didn't notice this for ages until the work wanted all the drivers licences for insurance purposes, and he saw mine.

1. He has spoken to the DVLA, and they have said they'll put the entitlement back on if he can provide a copy of his old paper licence. (He doesn't have any copies!!!!)

2. The DVLA know by their records that my mate has held a full bike licence, but won't reinstate it onto his new updated one...

So he's been told to resit his full bike test, CBT the lot if he wants the licence back.

So the point - does he need to do the theory test again for the bike, or are the DVLA taking the mickey???

[Shellywoozle]

Who is going to pay for this? DVLA as it's their admin error. I certainly wouldn't sit and take it I would fight til they put it back on.

Can your mate not go to the test centre and get anythig written from them that he passed his test already? He must be on the DVLA database as having that entitlement, they can't make him do his test again.

Bad DVLA

[muffles]

Unlucky, there's been too many cases of this happening. I think he has to do the theory/CBT/test as the DVLA mention. Top tip, never send your licence away without copying it first for proof of entitlements! And we are supposed to trust the government with technology...

[Nostrils]

The DVLA are useless simply because they use too many temp staff who dont give a monkeys.....anyway, I wonder if seeking some advise from a solictor (your get 30mins. free anyway) and might actually be cheaper!!

This mistake by the DVLA has been going on for far too long and as such was fortunate to be told by my instructors to get copies of everything before my DAS test day. Gladly received all my details registered on the new photo licence.

Good Luck to your mate

[Airfix]

Best of luck with your licence usless bast£rds. If you do have to do your test again then even if you have HGV and car you will have to do the theory haz perseption again, i have all three from years ago but been into this for my wife and daughter. Good bit of advice to copy your licence. Just had another thought get in touch with the test centre and see if there is any record there, also can you remember the examiners name, and did you have an instructor any evedence may prove handy. :(

[jimmy4237]

He's already kicked up major fuss with the DVLA about it and they're standing their ground. Several phone calls and letters later it reads basically like this:

"Dear Mr. . .."

We have located your old driving licence from our paper records archive, and it is true that it shows you have the correct driving entitlement from the period x to x.

However, when you moved house from x to y to z, you failed to inform us of any incorrect details. Thus we assumed that you voluntarily gave up the entitlement.""

"If you can provide any proof of entitlement, we will reinstate the entitlemnt onto your current licence."

During the house moves, he has either not kept copies of his old licences, or has not noticed the missing information due to the fact that he's not had a bike or bike insurance since 1984. Yet last year he hired a 600cc bike in Spain with his current photocard licence. The spanish rental guy didn't even check for the bike entitlement!!! So my mate still assumed he had a bike licence. Thank god he didn't have an accident in Spain!!!

[mister c]

Happened to a mate of mine a few years back. Unfortunately nothing your mate can do other than do his test all over again :(

[DanAbnormal]

My uncle had it the other way round. Changed from paper to photo and now has the bike entitlement!

[ASM-Forever]

This problem is old hat. Unless he has proof then he will have to sit it all again.

[New Leaf]

what a bloody infuriating ****e response from the DVLA. Tell your mate to call into his MP's clinic - they all hold em at least once a week. Its clear the DVLA response is nonsensical - they admit they know he has passed his bike test - maybe his MP will have the clout to force them to stop being silly ****s.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Yep, 'fraid to say he's screwed.

There have been cases of police class 1 motorcycle riders having the same thing happen to them and even when they show the DVLA all their certificates, the DVLA still made them resit their test.

Whoever at the DVLA is responsible for this wants shooting. Can you imagine how stupid it would look to see a liveried up police pan with L plates? :?

[-Ralph-]

He's already kicked up major fuss with the DVLA about it and they're standing their ground. Several phone calls and letters later it reads basically like this:

"Dear Mr. . .."

We have located your old driving licence from our paper records archive, and it is true that it shows you have the correct driving entitlement from the period x to x.

However, when you moved house from x to y to z, you failed to inform us of any incorrect details. Thus we assumed that you voluntarily gave up the entitlement.""

"If you can provide any proof of entitlement, we will reinstate the entitlemnt onto your current licence."

During the house moves, he has either not kept copies of his old licences, or has not noticed the missing information due to the fact that he's not had a bike or bike insurance since 1984. Yet last year he hired a 600cc bike in Spain with his current photocard licence. The spanish rental guy didn't even check for the bike entitlement!!! So my mate still assumed he had a bike licence. Thank god he didn't have an accident in Spain!!!

I'm confused.:confused:

They admit to having found a paper copy of his old license which shows his entitlement, yet they are asking for proof from him?

[DanAbnormal]

If it were me I would keep riding. They can try to send me to prison if they wanted but by the time it got to national papers I think the DVLA would realise it's not worth being c*cks over. It's just not on. Why the feck should he go and do it all again if he has already passed AND they already have the proof!! It's just typical of this countries establishments reaction to what should be and open and close case.

Rant over.

[evertheoptimist]

Yes I would think that if they dont re-instate his license he could sue them for any costs involved in retaking tests and compensation for the inconvenience.

[Dangerous Dave]

So the point - does he need to do the theory test again for the bike
Yes, as the theory test is different for all vehicles and as the DVLA have removed the entitlement he would have to start off from the very beginning again (unless the entitlement is reinstated).

[Nostrils]

If your mate has written evidence from the DVLA stating that they have the details showin entitlement, then I would take this to your MP surgery held locally and I would also sent a letter to the Transport Secretary detailing and copying everything for them to see and state in your letter that you will be seeking advise from a solicitor and if necessary will seek damages from the DVLA if they continue to insist on taking doing the whole test thing again (CBT £120 + theory £60 + DAS £450 + Admin. £25/Letter = approx £700 should do it).

Another possibility is to get your mate to check with old insurance companies to see if they have any records showing insurance and perhaps copy of your old licence, a long shot but you never know! Perhaps checking with an old employer or anyone who might have taken a copy for proof.....banks, building societies.

Finger crossed

[dirtydog]

He didn't notice this for ages until the work wanted all the drivers licences for insurance purposes, and he saw mine.



Does your work take a copy of the licences? How far back? if they do then your mate may be able to use that as proof?

[tigersaw]

Cant he request a copy of the license the DVLA have in their archive, and then submit that as proof?

[Nostrils]

Cant he request a copy of the license the DVLA have in their archive, and then submit that as proof?

Like your thinking! If they dont want to send it, then apply for it under the freedom of information act, after all it is YOUR data, not theirs!!