On the move again!

24 Replies

In Work for today on 7th January, I was telling you about applying for my driving licence.

Move forward to 11th May and the following conversation took place:

After several attempts to try and get through to DVA in Coleraine, I finally managed to do so at 11:30. The long route of listening and clicking through a million options, brought me to a recorded voice advising me that I was number nine in the answering queue.

Holding

I was not moving. I held on listening to some gentle music and eventually spoke to a young lady.

I had of course to prove who I was etc., And having related the whole tired story, she put me on hold to contact the Post Room to check if they had record of receiving my money. Yes they did. (£30 I paid on 21st April).

Next she put me on hold while she went to check progress with the Medical department…

Back she came to tell me: ‘On 5th May my status was changed from Stopped to current by the medical team’??? The same medical team who gave me verbal permission to drive.

So in order for the new licence to be processed it must go to Swansea, in Wales. The DVA are unable to produce the little plastic ‘credit’ sized cards that include a photograph, in Northern Ireland… so it would be another few days before I got it.

Twenty five minutes to learn all of that and I was still a lady-in-waiting.

Another few days she said. It has been one hell of a long few days since 19-01-16.

And finally…

On 16th May my letterbox rattled and Lo and Behold My brand spanking new driving licence landed in my hall!

One whole week later I finally manage to share my delight with you. This new licence  is for three years and at least the next one will be free.

24 thoughts on “On the move again!”

    1. Grannymar Post author

      Thanks Elly. I have corrected the date It was really late when I managed to write and post the above.

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    1. Grannymar Post author

      Lin, last time the photo was good and in colour. This time the new photo, apart from looking older, it has magically transformed from colour to a faded B&W.

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      1. mybeautfulthings

        It’s the independence to go where you like when you like isn’t it? I had only six weeks not driving after each hip replacement but was soooo glad to feel that freedom again. 🙂

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        1. Grannymar Post author

          Sally, you hit the nail on the head, having a car in the garage or driveway and knowing you can sit in and go where the mood takes you. Real freedom.

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    1. Grannymar Post author

      Padmini, All the while, I have had verbal permission to drive, now with the official paperwork and card, I feel like a cat that got the cream!

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  5. katechiconi

    Your patience is exemplary! I’d have been raging long since, and writing long, intricate and stingingly sarcastic letters left and right. I’m delighted at your (eventual) success and reprieve.

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  6. Grannymar Post author

    Kate, the health questions were the cause of the delay. My GP took two and a half weeks to fill in his form and return it to me. Then the DVA had to send it to what they called ‘The Medical Department in Belfast’… that took the longest time, then finally after I paid my money the info went to Swansea for printing. Ranting and raging only pushes my BP through the roof. I had nine months of “shank’s mare” the previous year while tests were carried out only to discover that blackout falls were caused by medication.

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  12. wisewebwoman

    You’d think in this day and age there could be a way of your accessing the info on line rather than this tortuous method?

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Grannymar Post author

      Info on line? WWW, they are unable to accept payment online. It has to be cash at the office,a cheque or wait for it… A Postal order! I thought we were living in the 21st century.

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