UK license and US passports

I was wondering if any of you have had any problems with mailing your passports to the DVLA to get a provisional license.  I am starting to get antsy because I cannot drive and want to apply to get a learner's permit.  They have told me that since I am american I have to send my passport to the DVLA. 

It freaks me out a bit because I have already lost my passport in this country once and currently have a replacement for a lost passport that has been extended to be valid for 10 years.   I don't really want my passport to get lost at the DVLA as its got my ILR stamp in it as well.  Everyone I speak to  says that the DVLA loses everything then denies all knowledge etc  etc even if you send by recorded delivery ( ).

Anyone had any problems with them losing stuff? 

I went in person to the local DVLA and sent my passport from there.  I enclosed a Special Delivery envelope and they posted it right back to me.  It only took about a week. 

I think my nearest DVLA is Leeds??  I have begged everyone I know who drives to take me down there and no one wants to bother.   I will have to look into train/bus/taxi and find a sitter for the kids to get down there.  I suppose of I am worried about my passport then  going down in person is the only way to go.

I did what expat did.  After Xeroxing it and the visa inside it in case I never see it again.  The man on the DVLA counter said it will take about 15 working days.  15 working days will be up tomorrow, and I haven't heard a thing.

I don't know any other way to do this.

Jim

I posted mine. No problems. Just make sure it doesn't coincide with a holiday abroad!!

Last month my husband posted my application and passport by recorded delivery - it said something about taking about 10 working days (I think)  I was getting worried about it as it was getting towards the end of the 10 working days but right at the end it came - along with my passport.  They also sent me a confirmation letter that they sent out my passport and documents (I enclosed a marriage license since my last name had changed since the issue of my passport), but the letter actually came one day after me actually receiving my documents. 

I wouldn't worry about sending it as long as it's recorded, regardless of what your friends might say. 

Today's mail has arrived, and on the 15th working day after I sent my passport and provisional license application, both have arrived, in separate envelopes.

Now to book and pass the tests...

Jim

Today's mail has arrived, and on the 15th working day after I sent my passport and provisional license application, both have arrived, in separate envelopes.

Now to book and pass the tests...

Jim

Whew!  What a relief!

The wait times should go down as school starts again.  Hopefully.

When DH passed his practical, he took it in the week after Xmas, and the wait time was only 3 weeks! 

Hope I'm not still trying to pass the test at Christmas time.  I need a UK license to rent a car back in the States before then.

I imagine a lot of the staff at the DVLA in Swansea are on vacation right now.

Jim

Like others I made copies of passport/visa and off it went to Swansea.  Received it back in 2 1/2 weeks (this past Friday). 
I called Swansea to see if I could go to my local DVLA office and not have to post the passport off.  They advised that I would need to come to Swansea and perhaps they could get the passport back to me in 1-2 business days. 

Looks like i have to send mine off too through the mail to get my provisional. It's ridiculous to think my whole ID and life is in their hands. 

Just a heads up, the DVLA in Swansea is backed up 3-4 weeks, we appied for his provisional, they received it August 8th and just today we got a letter giving back all his documents,still no license. I called them and they confirmed that they are infact backed up that long

did they say how much longer you'll have to wait?

did they say how much longer you'll have to wait?

No, they keep giving the same answer "we are backed"