The DVLA online service is very good when it can be used but in my case it said that my application had to be done via post.
This is where the problems with the DVLA arise as postal applications / renewals are subject to an entirely different timescale than those of online ones. For example most online renewals only take about 3 days whereas anything sent to the DVLA by post has an initial timescale of up to two weeks to even appear on their systems.
The problems with the DVLA medical department are well documented and as I previously stated were severely ciriticised by a parliamentary committee in the first half of 2023. The conclusions went as far as to say that the DVLA are currently not fit for purpose should anything similar to COVID occur any time soon and they were told that their archaic systems need to be upgraded as a priority.
Some situations can not be sorted by the DVLA online system and they will insist that in certain circumstances everything has to be conducted by post and in this case if the medical department is involved expect a wait of numerous months as I myself experienced up until last month.