Ok I’ve just spoken to the DVLA, who were really helpful and to cut a long story short I’m allowed to drive again - in fact I have been since April! They apologised for not having sent my license back yet but said they have a massive backlog, but said I can still drive in meantime - they said it’s not a legal requirement to actually carry it. But I forgot to ask them what do I do if I happen to get stopped by the police and asked to produce it?