strangely i"ve found if you apply using the green slip[no fee] it takes almost the full 6 week period to get a v5
any time i have paid [not had green slip] it has been a very quick process-only a couple of weeks
get your mate to call them after the 6 weeks period [if its still that time limit ]
i doubt they will tell you much tbh dpa and all that[when it suits them]