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.
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.
Second paragraph should read 11th May, not 11th June. Feel free to delete this comment.
Thanks Elly. I have corrected the date It was really late when I managed to write and post the above.
Glad for you. Are your pictures as absolutely ghastly as those in the california dmv?
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.
Hooray!
I’ll say that again, Sally. Hooray! and double Hooray! Hooray!
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. 🙂
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.
You got wheels to go gallavanting!! More power to you…enjoy!! Take care!!
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!
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.
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.
I think I see Willie Nelson waiting for you out in your driveway…..https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=willie+nelson%27s+on+the+road+again
He must be hiding, I spent the day searching and never found him.
huzzah! patience and persistence, eh?
It all came right in the end, Nancy.
Congratulations. Better late than never and at least you are not grounded!
Not grounded, Ramana and I can use it as ID for my flight to London.
Hurrah, success at last!
It was a long haul, Nick, but now I am back on track.
YaaHoo, free bird!
It really is freedom for me, Brighid.
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
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.