The DVLA is facing a severe backlog in processing medical driving licenses, impacting countless applicants. Processing times exceeded 14 weeks as of February 2026, raising serious concerns among stakeholders.
Simon Lightwood, a key participant, expressed regret, stating, “I am sorry to all those who have been impacted by the delays.” This backlog has drawn attention to the need for immediate reforms within the agency.
Vikki Slade highlighted the disparity in service, saying, “The DVLA is stuck in manual whilst the rest of us are on automatic.” She pointed out that there is a stark difference in processing times between standard license applications and those requiring medical reviews.
The DVLA has introduced new technology to streamline the process. They have added 43 medical caseworkers to help address these delays. However, as of April 2026, the average time for a medical case licensing decision was still at 56.6 working days.
Key statistics:
- The DVLA processed 498,780 contacts through its chatbot without human intervention in FY26.
- The contact center handled 964,576 queries via its webchat service during the same period.
- On average, webchat inquiries were resolved around 90 seconds quicker than those via telephone.
A spokesperson for the DVLA acknowledged the situation, noting that they are experiencing exceptionally high demand for applications from customers with medical conditions. This high volume has regrettably impacted some processing times.
The online portal for reporting new medical conditions opened on March 31, 2026. Despite these improvements, many applicants remain frustrated by the lengthy wait times and uncertainty regarding their applications.
