01254 828 300 
DVLA are trialling a new process from 4 May 2020 for acknowledging their receipt of vocational driving license applications.
Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 can allow drivers to continue driving once their license has expired provided a number of conditions are satisfied including that the renewal form has been received by the DVLA.
DVLA will now acknowledge receipt of applications via email or SMS (if no email address is provided). If no email address or mobile phone number are provided, DVLA will confirm receipt of the application by letter. Applicants should therefore ensure full contact details are provided in their application.
This new process means that, once receipt of a renewal application has been acknowledged by DVLA, drivers can (so long as the other Section 88 criteria are met) continue to drive under Section 88 whilst their license application is being processed by the DVLA.
The DVLA document explaining how a driver can continue to drive whilst their license application is being processed can be accessed here.
Contact Backhouse Jones on 01254 828300 or regulatory@backhouses.co.uk for further guidance.