A woman who lost her driving licence has been told she will have to retake her test because the DVLA has no record of her licence.

Kay Bell has been told there is no record of her having applied for the original licence

School lab technician Kay Bell, 50, passed her test five years ago and enjoyed driving so much that she went on to complete the Pass Plus advanced driving course.

On discovering that her driving licence was missing in December last year, she applied for a duplicate from the DVLA, but was told she had never passed her test.

After repeated letters and phonecalls to the DVLA, the agency accepted that she had passed her test, but refused to send a replacement, claiming she had never applied for the licence after passing her test.

The two-year time limit for applying had passed and Ms Bell was told she would need to retake the theory and practical parts of the test again.

Ms Bell, who works at Oxford High School, has been relying on lifts and public transport to travel to and from her home in Bodicote, Banbury. The DVLA denies losing any records but Ms Bell plans to take her case to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

She said: "I was absolutely thrilled when I passed my test. I couldn't wait to get my licence and applied for it straight away. "When I phoned up for my duplicate licence, they told me I'd never passed my test. I was shocked. The complaints system is a farce and I'm just getting nowhere with them.

"They're telling me I should have applied within two years -- I applied within two days. They've told me I'm confused. I'm not confused -- mine was the only photo licence in the house.

"It makes me wonder what sort of things could happen if the Government introduces ID cards."

A DVLA spokesman said: "Ms Bell has been advised that DVLA is unable to grant the licence she wishes.

"Although her driver record confirms that the successful test was passed, a background check of her driver record does not confirm receipt of an application to claim that entitlement within the two year period prescribed in legislation. DVLA has no discretion to vary the period in individual cases.

"Regrettably, DVLA is aware that a significant number of drivers fail, for whatever reason, to make a valid claim to additional driving/riding entitlements within the statutory period.

"Before resuming driving under full arrangements, Ms Bell must pass both the theory and practical parts of a further driving test."