"If it's not broke, don't fix it" is clearly not a common phrase over at the DVLA. Neither is "tell people what's going on". To all drivers: The new rules you need to understand if you want to hire a car after June 8 (From York Press) This is their latest, pointless, idea...
This isn't a cock-up, it is an integral feature of the system. It is difficult by design. With this, any cock-ups on the part of the DVLA could actually work in your favour.
Funny you should say that. I recently posted a comment stating that DVLA do sometimes make cock-ups, and giving a specific example. Didn't you read it?