tales of woes when calling dvla
 

The expressed views are wholly my own but may be shared by millions of other inhabitants in the UK.

It is near impossible to speak to a human when dialing the dvla. More often its a case of please call another number or press x press x etc.

Even regional offices show the automated service number.
So if you need to speak to a human..forget pressing the option x

Just hammer the keypad with 000000000 ****** etc and it does work.
Behold a welsh speaking person who can answer the simple question ...

Question - " What is the earliest I can tax a vehicle when on a sorn for the tax to start the following month ? "

Answer - " Depends on how you want to tax it - 2 days before the end of the month at the Post office or online in the first day of the month"

Strange how they are more than happy to sell me one from the beginning of the month just like that :rolleyes:

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

Heh, I just got this image in my head when you said to hammer the keypad.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...JHQHm2ADCBWW_w

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

Or just support your local post office, go in there and ask. That's what I did, very helpful and saves you from the angst of dealing with faceless 2@'s.

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

I just shout back at the automated voice saying "I don't understand you, I want to talk to a person!" which makes me feel better and has the same result

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

Welcome to UK Government PLC.

press the # key to exist.

Pete ;)

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

pt 1 was the tales of woe when dealing with the post office.
Unfortunately our lovely post office was closed down and a franchise type thing was setup in the back of wh smiths manned by those not too disimilar to the " computer says no" lady.

Question - "Whats the cheapest way to send this parcel?"
Answer - " You need special delivery to guarantee it gets there."
Me - " So whats the likelihood of my parcel getting then in the next few days with standard parcels"
Answer- " Dunno I dont work for royal mail !"

I did ask the same question re tax of the lady in the PO which resulted in some conflab and told to come back 2 days before the end of the month as a motorcycle was like a car :confused:

Anyway complaints made to dvla and now waiting on some automated system to come back with a reply :p

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

i always do the keypad mash when im on automated crap or hold

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

Regarding the old tax disc for my XJ, since I've re registered it... been told 3 different things, local inspections officer, some dude on phone and website.

Shower of sh*te in Swansea... local inspections officer actually spot on and efficient, can't fault service on that side of things.

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

Trouble is most of the counter staff have no idea, even in a proper PO. Asking for a VED refund form resulted in a huge queue forming behind me as the clueless woman wandered about looking hopefully in all of the leaflet bins* and asking all of the other staff members.


*why are they now hehind the counter? They used to be out front and you could help yourself without queueing...

Re: tales of woes when calling dvla
 

Our local office is brilliant, so obviously they are trying to shut it down. I signed the petition and then got everyone else I knew to sign it. DEFRA on the other hand are fantastic to deal with, really helpful, you can always get them on the phone and they actually know what they are talking about. This is actually true, I am not being sarcastic, my Dad tried to tell them how helpful they were when he was dealing with them the other day, they thought he was trying to get them to help quicker, he wasn't he was just amazed as to how helpful they were.