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Making a Formal Complaint to DVA

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) works within a framework set by law, and the decisions made have to be in line with relevant laws; it may not always be possible to meet your expectations.

How to make a formal complaint

If you wish to make a formal complaint to DVA you can write, email or telephone using the details below:

DVA Customer Services
County Hall
Castlerock Road
Waterside
Coleraine
BT51 3HS

Email: dva.customerservices@doeni.gov.uk

Telephone:

  • DVA Licensing Enquiries 0845 402 4000
  • DVA Testing Enquiries 0845 601 4094

At each stage you will need to give:

  • full name and address
  • date of birth or driver number (if your complaint relates to your driving licence)
  • your vehicle's registration number (if your complaint relates to a vehicle or a driving test
  • your daytime contact number (if possible)
  • full details of your complaint, including any previous dealings with us about it.

This information will help DVA to deal with your concerns fully.

Stage one

At stage one your complaint is forwarded to the manager of the section, office, or centre that you have been dealing with so that a detailed explanation can be given to clarify the decision you were unhappy about.

Please provide as much information at this stage as possible so that your complaint can be investigated fully.

All the letters you receive from DVA will give the contact details of the person who sent them, and a reference number.

Stage two

At stage two, a senior manager responsible for the area of concern will reconsider all the information received from you, and the response given at stage one. Their reply will be reviewed and discussed with the Customer Services Manager before being issued to you.

You need to provide full details of your complaint and any responses you have received so far.

Stage three

At stage three, if you still feel your complaint has not been dealt with fully, you can write to:

The Chief Executive
Driver & Vehicle Agency
148 - 158 Corporation Street
Town Parks
Belfast
BT1 3DH

You will need to provide full details of your complaint and all responses you have received so far.

If you are still not satisfied

If you think that DVA have not done everything they could have done to settle your complaint, you can write to a Member of Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly and ask them to raise the matter for you or to refer it to the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

The Ombudsman is independent and can investigate complaints against government departments and their Agencies. The ombudsman will normally expect you to have used the complaints procedure before considering your complaint. The Ombudsman's address is:

The Northern Ireland Ombudsman
Progressive House
33 Wellington Place
Belfast
BT1 6HN

Telephone: 028 9023 3821
Freephone: 0800 34 34 24
Email: ombudsman@ni-ombudsman.org.uk

or

The Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
Freepost
BEL 1478
Belfast
BT1 6BR