When you sent in your passport for your driver's license...

Did you enclose a special delivery envelope or did you just send as with the application and they just sent it back?

Do you need to provide an envelope to ensure it gets back ok?

From the direct.gov.uk website regarding DVLA returning your ID documents when applying for a licence (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_4022091):

Return of your identity documents

DVLA will return your licence and identity documents separately, it cannot guarantee to return your identity documents by a set date. If you would like your identity documents returned by special delivery, include a stamped self-addressed special delivery envelope with your application. Keep a note of the serial number.

If you do not get your identity documents back within two weeks of receiving your photocard licence, phone DVLA Customer Enquiries on 0300 790 6801.

Note: unless you contact DVLA within three months of the date you sent your application, it will be difficult to carry out the necessary investigation.

I included a special delivery envelope - I figured the £5 was cheaper than the cost to get a new passport if it got lost.

I included a special delivery envelope - I figured the £5 was cheaper than the cost to get a new passport if it got lost.

same here

I didn't enclose a special envelope and got everything back quick and safe. :-)

Did you enclose a special delivery envelope or did you just send as with the application and they just sent it back?

Do you need to provide an envelope to ensure it gets back ok?

I didn't include the envelope because I somehow failed to read that bit stating that it was required.

My passport got lost.

Ended up spending well over £300 pounds and many, many hours to replace it and my spousal visa (I was issued with a biometrics card instead).  DVLA did reimburse me for the cost of the replacement, but what a hassle.

I didn't include the envelope because I somehow failed to read that bit stating that it was required.

My passport got lost.

Ended up spending well over £300 pounds and many, many hours to replace it and my spousal visa (I was issued with a biometrics card instead).  DVLA did reimburse me for the cost of the replacement, but what a hassle.

I'm glad to know they reimbursed you. I sent in my passport (with ILR) and application support form last week by recorded delivery, it was received a week and a half ago (according to Royal Mail - I've saved a copy of the delivery info, including name and signature), and this morning I got an e-mail reminding me to submit my support info because they haven't received it yet.

Needless to say, I am NOT happy. I'm still waiting on an actual human to tell me anything, but I would just like my passport back. It particularly stings because if I had just waited a month, I would have been eligible for citizenship.

How did you go about filing a claim? How did you find out it was lost (in post or in the DVLA office?).

How did you go about filing a claim? How did you find out it was lost (in post or in the DVLA office?).
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I called them and told them that I have not yet received my document so they said they will make a formal enquiry with the Postal Service, which took another 3 weeks or so. They then wrote me a letter saying that they believe it has been lost in the post, and the letter did say that they will reimburse the reasonable cost of replacing it.

For me, the reasonable cost included the train fares to the US embassy in London to get a new passport application done, the cost of getting the new passport posted, and the fare to Croydon to do all that biometric stuff again. 

It was such a tense 3 or so months for me. My US passport was brand new--less than a year old when I lost it.

Oh, you need to go and make a police report as soon as you get the letter from DVLA stating that the passport is really missing.

PM me if you have any other questions.