The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency handles driving licences, vehicle registration, vehicle tax, SORN, medical driving matters and a wide range of vehicle-record services across Great Britain.
There is no single DVLA phone number that is best for every enquiry. The correct contact route depends on whether you need help with a driving licence, vehicle tax, a V5C log book, a medical condition or another DVLA service.
For most driving licence enquiries, call 0300 790 6801. For vehicle tax, SORN, registration and V5C enquiries, call 0300 790 6802. Medical driving enquiries are handled through 0300 790 6806.
DVLA also provides webchat, WhatsApp and category-specific email services, meaning a phone call is no longer the only way to speak to the agency.
What Is The DVLA Contact Number?
The correct DVLA contact number depends on your enquiry.
DVLA Service Contact Number Main Purpose
Driving Licence Enquiries 0300 790 6801 Applications, renewals, replacements and licence updates
Vehicle Enquiries 0300 790 6802 Vehicle tax, SORN, V5C and registration matters
Medical Enquiries 0300 790 6806 Medical conditions and fitness to drive
Vehicle Tax Telephone Service 0300 123 4321 Taxing a vehicle by telephone
Welsh Language Service 0300 790 6819 DVLA enquiries handled in Welsh
Fleet And Business Vehicle Support 0300 790 6802 Fleet vehicle records and related vehicle enquiries
DVLA’s main telephone contact centres normally operate Monday to Friday from 8 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm. They are closed on public holidays.
The automated vehicle tax telephone service operates separately and is available 24 hours a day.
Which DVLA Number Should You Call For Driving Licence Enquiries?
For driving licence applications and general licence enquiries, call:
0300 790 6801
This line can be used for matters including:
- Renewing a driving licence
- Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged licence
- Checking an application
- Updating licence details
- Changing an address
- Provisional driving licence enquiries
- Problems using DVLA driving licence services
Before calling about an application delay, check how long DVLA currently expects the application to take.
DVLA currently advises that a standard driving licence application normally takes around:
Application Method Expected Processing Time
Online Around 2 weeks
Post Around 3 weeks
Applications may take longer when DVLA needs to verify identity information or obtain medical details.
What Is The DVLA Number For Vehicle Tax, SORN And V5C Enquiries?
For vehicle registration, V5C log books, SORN and most vehicle tax enquiries, call:
0300 790 6802
This contact line covers issues such as:
- Vehicle registration
- V5C log books
- Changes of registered keeper
- Vehicle tax enquiries
- SORN
- Tax refunds
- Changes to vehicle information
- Buying or selling a vehicle
- Private registration transfers
- Taking a registration number off a vehicle
If you simply need to tax your vehicle by telephone, DVLA also operates the automated 0300 123 4321 vehicle tax service.
For wider tax questions or problems with a vehicle record, 0300 790 6802 is the more appropriate contact line.
What Is The DVLA Medical Contact Number?
Drivers who need to discuss a medical condition or fitness-to-drive matter should call:
0300 790 6806
The current DVLA medical contact service operates:
- Monday to Friday from 8 am to 7 pm
- Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm
Medical cases can take longer than ordinary licence applications because DVLA may need information from a GP, consultant or another healthcare professional.
DVLA currently says that after you report a medical condition, an application will usually take around six weeks, although complicated cases can take longer if they need to be referred to a doctor.
The previous version of this article listed a separate 0300 790 6807 medical number for lorry and bus drivers.
Current GOV.UK contact routing now publishes 0300 790 6806 for driving and medical enquiries, so drivers should use the current number rather than relying on older contact lists.
Does DVLA Have Live Chat?
Yes. DVLA now operates official webchat services.
This is an important change from older information suggesting that DVLA did not provide live chat.
Driving licence webchat normally operates:
- Monday to Friday from 8 am to 7 pm
- Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm
- Closed on public holidays
If the automated assistant cannot resolve the issue and an adviser is available, a human adviser can take over the conversation.
There are limits to what can be completed through driving licence webchat.
You cannot use it to:
- Make a payment
- Discuss a medical application
- Order a new driving licence
Vehicle webchat is also available, although it cannot be used to make payments or set up or amend a Direct Debit payment date.
The safest starting point is the official DVLA contact service, which routes users to the appropriate contact method for their enquiry.
Can You Contact DVLA Through WhatsApp?
Yes. DVLA now provides WhatsApp contact for several common enquiry categories, including driving licences, vehicle tax, SORN and vehicle registration matters.
This is another contact option that was missing from the previous version of this article.
WhatsApp can be useful for straightforward questions, but there are restrictions.
For driving licence enquiries, WhatsApp cannot be used to:
- Call DVLA
- Make a payment
- Ask about medical matters
- Order a new driving licence
For vehicle enquiries, it cannot be used to make payments or set up a Direct Debit.
Users should always access DVLA’s WhatsApp service through the official GOV.UK contact route rather than trusting a telephone number or link sent in an unsolicited message.
Can You Email DVLA?
DVLA provides email contact, but there is not one universal public customer-service email address for every DVLA enquiry.
Instead, DVLA uses category-specific online email services. The appropriate form depends on whether your question relates to:
- A driving licence
- Vehicle registration
- Vehicle tax or SORN
- Medical driving matters
- Personalised registrations
- Other DVLA services
This distinction is important because searching online for a generic “DVLA email address” can lead users to outdated details or unofficial services.
Use the official DVLA routing service to reach the correct email form.
How Long Should You Wait Before Contacting DVLA?
Calling too early may not speed up an application. DVLA specifically asks customers to allow the published processing period before contacting the agency.
Current expectations include:
DVLA Application Or Request Expected Time
Driving Licence Application Online Around 2 weeks
Driving Licence Application By Post Around 3 weeks
Duplicate V5C Applied For Online Around 2 weeks
Online V5C Address Change Around 4 weeks
Online Change Of Registered Keeper Around 4 weeks
Private Registration Change Around 2 weeks
Medical Driving Application Usually around 6 weeks
SORN Confirmation By Telephone Around 4 weeks
Vehicle Tax Refund Around 6 weeks
Vehicle Tax/SORN Applications By Post Around 6 to 8 weeks
DVLA advises people who applied for a V5C by phone or post to make contact if the log book has not arrived after four weeks.
These times are estimates rather than guarantees. Identity checks, medical evidence, incomplete documents and unusual vehicle records can result in longer processing.
What Are The DVLA Postal Addresses?
The correct postal address depends on what you are sending.
Driving Licence Enquiries
Drivers Customer Services
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL
Vehicle Registration And V5C Enquiries
Vehicle Customer Services
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AR
Medical Enquiries
Drivers’ Medical Enquiries
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1TU
Some applications and DVLA forms use different Swansea postcodes, so always follow the address printed on the current form, DVLA letter or online instructions when sending a specific application.
For example, personalised registration certificates and specialist vehicle applications can have their own postal destinations.
How Can Businesses And Fleet Operators Contact DVLA?
Businesses managing several company vehicles may need DVLA support for fleet records rather than an individual driver’s enquiry.
DVLA’s Fleet Scheme includes the View Vehicle Record service, which allows qualifying organisations to manage vehicle records online.
Fleet users can access support through:
- Telephone: 0300 790 6802
- Webchat
- Online email support
This can be relevant to fleet managers dealing with registration records, company vehicle administration or problems accessing DVLA vehicle information.
Keeping DVLA records accurate is particularly important for UK businesses operating multiple vehicles because incorrect keeper or vehicle information can create administrative problems with tax, enforcement correspondence and disposals.
How Do You Check Someone Else’s Driving Licence?
Employers, vehicle-hire companies and other authorised organisations may sometimes need to check another person’s driving record.
The driver normally creates a driving licence check code and gives it to the organisation that needs to view the information.
A current DVLA check code is valid for 21 days.
The information can include:
- Vehicles the person is entitled to drive
- Penalty points
- Driving disqualifications
- Other relevant driving-record information
Permission matters. Obtaining another person’s driving information without proper authority can be a criminal offence.
For employers regularly checking staff who drive for work, using the official licence-sharing process is safer than asking employees to send photographs of their driving licences.
How Do You Contact DVLA In Welsh?
DVLA operates a dedicated Welsh-language contact service.
Welsh Language Service: 0300 790 6819
Customers can conduct DVLA business in Welsh, and the agency states that Welsh and English services should be provided to the same standard.
Welsh versions of relevant online services and documents are also available.
What About Personalised Number Plates?
Queries involving personalised registrations may include:
- Buying a DVLA registration
- Assigning a registration to a vehicle
- Retaining a registration
- Removing a private number
- V750 Certificates of Entitlement
- V778 Retention Documents
- Renewing an entitlement
Many assignment, retention and removal matters fall within DVLA’s vehicle-registration services.
For questions specifically concerning the purchase of registrations sold directly by DVLA, the personalised registration service also provides its own online customer-support route.
Do not assume an old personalised-registration telephone number found on a third-party website is still current.
What Accessibility Support Does DVLA Provide?
DVLA’s current contact pages provide a British Sign Language video relay service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
DVLA also makes information available in alternative formats when required.
Available formats can include:
- Large print
- Braille
- Easy Read
- Audio
- Accessible digital documents
Requests for accessible versions of DVLA documents can be sent to:
alternative.format@dvla.gov.uk When requesting an alternative format, explain what format you need and, where relevant, the assistive technology you use.
Older DVLA material may still show historic textphone numbers. Because these numbers are not presented on the current main DVLA contact pages, the latest GOV.UK accessibility route or BSL video relay service should be used instead.
How Can You Contact DVLA From Outside The UK?
Older online pages sometimes publish a separate international DVLA telephone number.
However, DVLA’s current main GOV.UK contact-routing pages do not publish a separate general overseas contact number alongside the current driving, vehicle and medical lines.
For that reason, travellers and people living abroad should avoid relying on old international numbers copied from historic DVLA documents.
Where available, use DVLA’s current:
- Online email service
- Webchat
- Digital services
- Contact-routing service
The correct method will depend on the type of enquiry.
How Much Does It Cost To Call DVLA?
Most of DVLA’s customer-service telephone numbers begin with 0300.
Calls to 03 numbers normally cost no more than calls to standard 01 or 02 UK landline numbers and must be included in mobile or landline inclusive-minute packages on the same basis.
Actual charges therefore depend on your telephone provider and plan.
Avoid websites advertising premium-rate numbers that promise to “connect you to DVLA”. You can contact DVLA directly through official government channels.
What Information Should You Have Ready Before Calling?
Having the correct information available can make a DVLA enquiry easier to handle.
Depending on your query, prepare:
- Your full name
- Your current address
- Your date of birth
- Your driving licence number
- Your vehicle registration number
- Your V5C reference where relevant
- Any DVLA application reference
- Relevant correspondence from DVLA
- Details of when an application was submitted
For a medical enquiry, it can also be useful to have information about previous DVLA correspondence and any reference attached to the case.
Do not disclose banking information or passwords to someone simply because they claim to be calling from DVLA.
How Can You Avoid DVLA Scams And Copycat Websites?
DVLA impersonation scams frequently use convincing emails, text messages and websites to obtain personal or banking details.
Official DVLA scam-avoidance advice warns motorists about messages asking them to confirm personal or payment information and websites that imitate government services.
DVLA states that:
- It will not ask for bank account details through an unsolicited email or text
- Vehicle tax refunds are issued automatically rather than through an emailed refund link
- Fraudulent websites may charge extra for services available free or more cheaply through GOV.UK
- Licence and V5C information should not be shared publicly because it can assist identity or vehicle-cloning fraud
If a text or email says your tax has expired, that you have a refund waiting or that you must immediately confirm payment information, do not follow the link.
Open GOV.UK independently and check the vehicle or licence service yourself.
What Is The Best Way To Contact DVLA?
The best contact method depends on what you need to do.
For a straightforward transaction such as changing an address, checking vehicle tax or replacing certain documents, an online service will usually be faster than calling.
Use the phone when:
- Your case is complicated
- Your application is beyond the published processing time
- You need clarification about correspondence
- An online service cannot resolve your issue
- You have a medical driving enquiry requiring further discussion
Webchat or WhatsApp may be more convenient for general questions, provided the transaction you need is supported.
Conclusion
Finding the correct DVLA contact number is easier when you identify the type of enquiry before calling.
For driving licence matters, the main number is 0300 790 6801. Vehicle tax, SORN, registration and V5C enquiries generally use 0300 790 6802, while medical driving enquiries use 0300 790 6806.
DVLA now offers considerably more than telephone support. Webchat, WhatsApp, category-specific email services, BSL video relay and accessible document formats provide additional ways to get assistance.
It is also worth checking the current processing time before calling. Many licence, V5C and vehicle-record enquiries can be completed online without speaking to an adviser.
Above all, use official government contact routes.
DVLA contact details and digital services can change, while outdated telephone numbers and copycat websites often remain visible online long after official information has been updated.
FAQs
Is 0300 790 6801 The General DVLA Contact Number?
It is the current number for DVLA driving licence enquiries. Vehicle enquiries normally use 0300 790 6802, so there is no single number that is best for every DVLA issue.
Does DVLA Have Live Chat?
Yes. DVLA operates webchat for driving licence, vehicle and other supported enquiries. Adviser availability normally follows the relevant contact-centre opening hours.
Can I Contact DVLA Through WhatsApp?
Yes. WhatsApp is now available for several DVLA enquiry categories, although payments, medical enquiries and some transactions cannot be completed through it.
What Is The DVLA Vehicle Contact Number?
Call 0300 790 6802 for vehicle registration, V5C, vehicle tax and SORN enquiries.
What Is The DVLA Medical Contact Number?
The current GOV.UK contact route lists 0300 790 6806 for driving and medical enquiries.
How Long Does A DVLA Driving Licence Application Take?
DVLA currently advises around 2 weeks for an online application and 3 weeks for a postal application, although additional identity or medical checks can increase the time.
Does DVLA Have A General Email Address?
DVLA does not publish one universal customer-service email inbox. It uses online email forms that route enquiries according to their subject.
Can Businesses Contact DVLA About Fleet Vehicles?
Yes. Fleet operators can use DVLA’s fleet vehicle services, with support available through 0300 790 6802 as well as webchat and online contact routes.
What Should I Do If I Receive A Suspicious DVLA Text?
Do not click the link or enter payment details. Open GOV.UK independently and check the relevant vehicle or licence service through the official site.
Can I Call DVLA On Sunday?
The main DVLA adviser contact lines are closed on Sundays. Standard hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 7 pm, and Saturday, 8 am to 2 pm.
