Based on my own experience, I have been extremely and ,I believe , justifiably critical in the past about the DVLA and the Medical Licensing Dept in particular.
In my case, I applied in January 2020 for an April 2020 licence I mistakenly thought that because my licence was still valid, until the April, that section 88 1 year cover , would commence on the day my licence expired but no, it commences from the date that the application is received ie mine was 28 January 2020, and it then duly expired on the 27th.January 2021. There was a shortage of staff and consequential delays, and I still did not have my licence, but neither did I have protection under section 88 RTA.
The result was, that I could not drive – not until I was in receipt of my new Driving Licence, Not even in an emergency as I no longer had a valid licence!
This time however , earlier this month , I received a notification in the post, inviting me to apply online, which I did and which was acknowledged within 3 days,then a phone call from a polite and friendly young chap,from the DVLA, followed by my new 3 year DL arriving , with several previous restrictions removed- praise where praise is due – superb service!