<p style=”text-align: left;”>I’m going through exactly the same problem, infact I’ve just found your post by googling Section 88 and new motability car!!</p>
Like you I’ve had to just get my husband on as driver and have been ringing dvla for months after reapplying for my 5 year licence on 28th March.
I FINALLY got straight through today, well after 15 minutes BUT had previously emailed them and even a reply that basically told me to ring as nothing could be discussed via email BUT I was giving a case number. She told me that she would try and hurry my licence process up with joining Motability (first time you see).
After reading other replies I’m now wondering if a case number to Motability will help me get on to insurance etc as they verbally told me they had received my application. Anyway good luck and try ringing like I did today, I was totally shocked I got through after months of trying x