Licensing confusion scrutinised

Meanwhile, parent department, the DoE, has conceded the closure of Northern Ireland’s DVA motor tax offices has resulted in delays and inconvenience to customers .

As reported last week Mr Brian Mundy ran into problems when, he says, he was advised at a Post Office to send a driving licence application to the DVLA in Swansea, who then forwarded it to the DVA in Coleraine.

While Northern Ireland’s DVA motor tax offices have closed, other DVA functions, including driver licensing, have not been affected.

A DoE spokesman said: “As a result of the transfer of vehicle registration and licensing services to Swansea the DVA is receiving a significant number of calls resulting in some delays and inconvenience to customers. The Agency is taking steps to improve the service and is investigating what happened in this particular case.

“The Post Office has been reminded that customers are advised to send driving licence applications to the DVA in Coleraine.

“Driver Licensing, driver and vehicle testing, bus and taxi licensing, and roadside compliance checks in Northern Ireland remain the responsibility of the DVA.”