A pensioner who has been riding around on his beloved motorbike since 1967 has been stopped in his tracks, as the DVLA have no record of him ever passing his test.
Thomas Ajax Thomas, 73, has been left devastated at no longer being able to head out and about on his Triumph Bonneville.
His daughter, Karen Thomas, said that although he passed his test in Brecon on February 23, 1967, the Government agency had no record of it and she's also had to go to the Department of Transport over his case.
Thomas, of Banwen, Neath, said: “I am getting fed-up, I don't know how am I coping with it. I am stuck in the house here.
“I used to go out with the boys and have breakfast for an hour - I would go up to Sennybridge and come around the Beacons."
“I've got this card to show I have passed in 1967. I was told anyone could have that but it's the Queen's card.”
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He added: “I haven't done anything wrong, where have they been all these years? Why should it happen now?
“It's my pride and joy, my bike must be 21 years old. I'm sat in the house watching TV - there's nothing else to do.”
Karen, 49, of Banwen, said: “He’s been driving since 1967, why haven’t they brought this issue up before?
“He can’t go out and go for a ride now.”
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She said her father had lost his first son in 1996, his youngest in 2016, and his wife last year. His bike was one of his few enjoyments in life.
“The last time I renewed the motor cycle insurance I paid £87, but because he was not going far on the motorbike I looked for cheaper insurance because of the mileage.
“They wanted documentation for his licence. I sent the card licence front and back but they said I had given the wrong information.
“I said he was on a full licence, but I was told it was provisional. I know he has passed his test.”
She was then advised to get in touch with the DVLA, but they suggested she got in touch with Brecon archives, only to be referred on to the Ministry of Transport.
The Ministry then referred her back to the DVLA in Swansea.
Karen said: “They looked at the database and said they never had his full licence. I’ve had a time and date where he attended Brecon Railway Station for his test."
“At this moment, they told me they cannot help me in any way further because of Covid.
“We do not know where to go.”
A DVLA spokesman said: “We are happy to confirm the case is being investigated and we are in touch with the customer directly.”
