How long does DVLA take to reply to a complaint?

It aims to send a full reply within 10 working days.

What should I include in a DVLA complaint?

Your full name, address, date of birth, driver number or vehicle registration, and any reference number from DVLA's letters.

What if I am unhappy with DVLA's reply?

Ask for your complaint to go to the Head of Complaints. After that, you can ask to be referred to an Independent Complaints Assessor.

Can I write to the Independent Complaints Assessor directly?

No. GOV.UK says it does not provide general contact details for the assessors. DVLA refers your complaint to them.

Where do I complain about how DVLA used my data?

Data protection complaints go to the Information Commissioner's Office.

How to Make a Complaint to DVLA

DVLA takes complaints online or by post at its Complaints Team in Swansea. Write your complaint, and we print it and post it for you by Royal Mail.

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Quick Answer

Complaints Team: SA6 7JL
Reply aim: 10 working days
If still unhappy: Head of Complaints
After that: Independent assessor

Complaints about how DVLA used your personal data go to the Information Commissioner's Office instead.

Works on any computer, tablet or phone

Where to Send Your Complaint

Send your complaint to the DVLA Complaints Team. For a case DVLA is already handling, GOV.UK suggests first contacting the department you have been dealing with, using the details on its letters.

DVLA Complaints Team

Complaints about DVLA's service.

Complaints TeamDVLASwanseaSA6 7JL

You can also complain using DVLA's online form.

Write to this address

DVLA Postal AddressEvery DVLA address in Swansea for licences, vehicles and medical letters.Read the guide

Addresses checked against GOV.UK on 17 October 2026.

How It Works

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1Write your complaintSay what happened and when, include your driver number or vehicle registration, and say what you would like DVLA to do.
2We address it for youPress Write to this address and we fill in the DVLA Complaints Team address.
3We print it and post itOrder by 2.30pm on a working day and we post it the same day by Royal Mail. Choose a tracked service for a record of when it arrived.

What to Include

Include your full name and address, your date of birth, your driver number for a licence complaint or your vehicle registration for a vehicle complaint, and any reference number from DVLA's letters.

How DVLA Deals With Complaints

The complaints team aims to send a full reply within 10 working days. If you are unhappy with it, you can ask for your complaint to go to the Head of Complaints, online or by post to the same address, who also aims to reply within 10 working days. The Head of Complaints cannot deal with general enquiries.

Taking It Further

After that, you can ask DVLA to refer your complaint to an Independent Complaints Assessor. The Department for Transport aims to pass your file to the assessor within 15 working days, and the assessor aims to review it within 3 months. The final step is asking your MP to refer your complaint to the Public Service Ombudsman.

Independent Complaints Assessors do not handle data protection complaints. Those go to the Information Commissioner's Office.

More Ways to Send

HMRC Postal AddressAddresses for tax questions and complaints DVLA Postal AddressAddresses for licences, vehicles and complaints DWP and PIP Postal AddressAddresses for PIP, complaints and requests

Frequently Asked Questions

Complaints Team, DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL.

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