Ready steady Queue

[Deleted member 159894]

I'm not sure: in respect of WFH maybe, maybe not. However, many other organisations have managed to service their customer base - perhaps with some element of delay - without generating a massive backlog. It also appears that WFH remains the default for many (most?) of the DVLA workforce, while others have been back at their desks for weeks.

One seemingly perverse example regarding the DVSA that I heard this morning was that Motorcycle Driving Tests were suspended throughout the pandemic, yet the examiner and the candidate don't actually have contact for the test.

The DVLA had at least 3 massive COVID breakouts, one believed to be the worst in the UK.

 

[Dryce]

I'm not sure: in respect of WFH maybe, maybe not. However, many other organisations have managed to service their customer base - perhaps with some element of delay - without generating a massive backlog. It also appears that WFH remains the default for many (most?) of the DVLA workforce, while others have been back at their desks for weeks.

Issue is probably air gapping and security.

The core DVLA setup will presumably not be accessible to those WFH.

 

[st13phil]

The core DVLA setup will presumably not be accessible to those WFH.

That's my guess: a mixture of paper-based applications and processes that aren’t applicable to remote working.

 

[st13phil]

The DVLA had at least 3 massive COVID breakouts, one believed to be the worst in the UK.

Yes, I was aware of that but bearing in mind the criticality of driving licence and vehicle licence administration should we just shrug and accept that it’s in the “problem too difficult” pile, or should we be implementing alternative processes and ways of working that either stops the backlog expanding to an unmanageable level, or (now) that rapidly processes it?

 

[Bellow]

With a backlog of 40,000 HGV tests to be conducted (which couldn't be for obvious reasons) there'd be little point in processing new applications until there were some progress on that.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

Yes, I was aware of that but bearing in mind the criticality of driving licence and vehicle licence administration should we just shrug and accept that it’s in the “problem too difficult” pile, or should we be implementing alternative processes and ways of working that either stops the backlog expanding to an unmanageable level, or (now) that rapidly processes it?

Do you imagine that the management team at the DVLA are just sitting on their hands?

 

[st13phil]

Do you imagine that the management team at the DVLA are just sitting on their hands?

I’m not imagining anything.

At the moment I’m looking at a lack of results.

 

[st13phil]

With a backlog of 40,000 HGV tests to be conducted (which couldn't be for obvious reasons) there'd be little point in processing new applications until there were some progress on that.

To some extent I agree, but (presumably) we have trainers sat around with no trainees to train, which is something of a waste?

 

[Dryce]

Do you imagine that the management team at the DVLA are just sitting on their hands?

I couldn't offer an opinion. I think the situation is still mixed.

Some departments in public sector are doing quite well in terms of adapting - some are still diminished.

I know of quite a few staff who are mightily p*ss*d off because they feel they have pulled their weight and others have not. And the situation with holidays has been utterly immoral in some places - with staff who worked flat out during the pandemic and took breaks being screwed over by those who did very little staying at home and took no official days off now are taking holidays leaving those who worked flat out still left to carry the load.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

I’m not imagining anything.

At the moment I’m looking at a lack of results.

There’s a shortfall in nearly every business following a pandemic, why should DVLA be any different?

 

[Darrell]

Do you imagine that the management team at the DVLA are just sitting on their hands?

I’ve been waiting for my licence since June 9.

 

[Darrell]

There’s a shortfall in nearly every business following a pandemic, why should DVLA be any different?

Not at the passport office. Took 6 days for my daughters passport back in April.

 

[Gordwestyt4]

I'm not sure: in respect of WFH maybe, maybe not. However, many other organisations have managed to service their customer base - perhaps with some element of delay - without generating a massive backlog. It also appears that WFH remains the default for many (most?) of the DVLA workforce, while others have been back at their desks for weeks.

One seemingly perverse example regarding the DVSA that I heard this morning was that Motorcycle Driving Tests were suspended throughout the pandemic, yet the examiner and the candidate don't actually have contact for the test.

It was to do with number of contacts candidates still have to come in and sign up for test eyesight check licence check etc and we have to supply them with the radio head sets so the examiner can communicate during test .I know of several Motorcycle examiners who volunteered for blood bikes service during lockdown . I as a car examiner volunteered for critical worker tests during lockdown. Although some people accused us of sitting at home on full pay.The DVSA and the examiners wanted to test but were not allowed untill transport minister gave the green light.The bikes along with tractor testing did start first though.

 

[st13phil]

why should DVLA be any different?

Why shouldn’t we expect them to be an exemplar for how to rapidly recover?

 

[st13phil]

It was to do with number of contacts candidates still have to come in and sign up for test eyesight check licence check etc and we have to supply them with the radio head sets so the examiner can communicate during test .I know of several Motorcycle examiners who volunteered for blood bikes service during lockdown . I as a car examiner volunteered for critical worker tests during lockdown. Although some people accused us of sitting at home on full pay.The DVSA and the examiners wanted to test but were not allowed untill transport minister gave the green light.The bikes along with tractor testing did start first though.

Thanks for taking the time to explain.

 

[Dryce]

There’s a shortfall in nearly every business following a pandemic, why should DVLA be any different?

And yet we expected the likes of Tesco and Amazon to keep on going as normal .....

Odd that.

 

[BPD07]

Do you imagine that the management team at the DVLA are just sitting on their hands?

Nope, but their examiners are.

 

[Petrol Pete]

My guess is that the main IT system at the DVLA is not just some copy and paste Windows based system that can easily be transferred to a home computer , same with the hardware and stationary (printers etc)

Having said that the back log is far bigger than we should expect.

 

[Rich764089]

I’ve been waiting for my licence since June 9.

Surprised to hear this. I've bought quite a few cars through the pandemic, and been pleasantly surprised how quickly I've received the V5s. But I suppose this is a simple pipeline that doesn't require much DVLA input...?

 

[fabes]

Whilst I am in hospital (nowt too serious) my wife resorted to using my car, one she hasn't driven in two years, as her X trail is down to 60 miles (her driving style / mpg is another story...!)

She took the kids to Starbucks whilst picking up a prescription for one of them and they complained to me on our WA family chat that my car was jerky (omg....)

Turns out she kept pressing the clutch when going to change gear (work it out for yourself)

Bleepin stupid automatic has meant she got up at 6am this morning and at the second local petrol station, put half a tank in hers.

At least she should be okay to take me home later.

Love 'em....