A driver for more than 40 years has won a two-year battle with DVLA over a lost driving licence.
The DVLA told 62-year-old Geoff Bullingham that he did not hold a full driving licence, despite him passing the test in 1972.
Geoff, from Hornsea, offered a photocopy of his original full licence as proof but DVLA said he had to take another driving test.
Mr Bullingham eventually sought help from MP Graham Stuart, who gladly intervened in the matter.
‘I met Geoff and could not believe the DVLA was insisting he didn’t have a licence when I was actually holding a copy of it in my hand,’ said MP Graham Stuart.
‘I took up the matter at Ministerial level, and after much pressure, DVLA changed its decision and is issuing Geoff with the full driving licence which he is entitled to.’
The problems arose when bricklayer-joiner Geoff requested a replacement for his lost licence from DVLA.
‘I wrote letters to the DVLA for months but wasn’t getting anywhere,’ said Geoff Bullingham.
‘They kept saying I wasn’t on the database as having a full licence. I found a photocopy my (previous) employer took eight years ago, but they said that wasn’t acceptable.’
When Geoff took the matter to the courts he was accused of driving without a licence with DVLA, though it eventually was thrown out.
‘Even though it had been thrown out of court my employer wouldn’t let me drive.
‘I’d worked for them for 28 years but in the end handed in my notice because it was causing so much stress.’
Mr Bullingham, who has since got a new job, added: ‘On Saturday I got a short letter from the DVLA saying they had amended the driving licence and they were sorry for any inconvenience. I am angry with the DVLA, but I am happy I got it back. I will be keeping it under lock and key.’
A DVLA spokeswoman said: ‘It is vital we protect the safety of all road users by ensuring that only people who can prove they have passed the relevant driving test are allowed to drive on our roads. Where a driver believes that the licence does not show all their entitlements we will investigate thoroughly and take any appropriate action.’
