DVLA and DWP opening hours over Easter Bank Holiday 2026

DVLA and DWP have outlined when contact centres and phone lines will be available over Easter weekend, with closures on Good Friday and Easter Monday affecting services

The DVLA and DWP have detailed exactly when their contact centres and telephone lines will be operational over the bank holiday weekend. However, those needing support from these departments during the bank holiday may need to plan ahead to get in touch.

The Easter weekend includes two bank holidays on Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6. Bank holidays are generally not considered working days, even within government departments, so the extended weekend could cause disruption for those needing to contact the departments or waiting for updates, payments and deliveries.

Department for Work and Pensions

The DWP posted an alert for claimants stating: “Jobcentre Plus offices and phone lines will be closed on Fri 3 and Mon 6 Apr over the Easter period.”

The telephone lines will also remain closed throughout Saturday and Easter Sunday as they’re normally only open from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm, reports the Express.

Even those accessing their online Universal Credit account will typically only receive responses during weekdays.

The DWP contact number you need to use will depend on your initial reason for contacting the department. Some of the most frequently requested numbers are available here on the GOV.UK website.

The offices and telephone lines should return to normal operation from Tuesday, April 7.

However, it’s not just DWP contact centres that are affected by the bank holidays. Payments from the DWP scheduled for either Good Friday or Easter Monday will not be processed on these days due to most banks ceasing transactions. Instead, they will primarily be paid on the first working day prior, which is Thursday, April 2.

DVLA

Throughout the Easter period, customers will have access to DVLA’s online services. However, the department’s contact centres will be completely shut on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

On Saturday, April 4, the DVLA contact centre will maintain its usual Saturday operating hours from 8am to 2pm. Normal operating hours will also resume from Tuesday, April 7.

If you’re expecting deliveries from the DVLA, the department typically makes provisions for bank holidays and non-working days. The GOV.UK website features a tool that can direct individuals to the appropriate DVLA contact to resolve their issue.