Passport stuck at DVLA

I've made a massive mistake and don't know if there's much I can do about it now.

I need to complete my ILR M application in a couple of days but while organising all of my documents I've discovered that my wife has sent her passport off to the DVLA for a driver's license renewal. I was aware she was applying but for some reason it didn't register in my brain that she would be physically posting a document that we would need a couple of months later. Going by what others are saying I don't think it will be back in the next week +45 days or however long it is I have.

Other than sending the application on the last possible date and booking as late a biometrics appointment as possible is there anything else I can do? And would there be any chance they would be lenient if it doesn't turn up on time as it's with another government agency who are taking much longer than usual due to Covid?

Feeling a bit sick now...

DVLA should return the passport within two weeks. I do not see an issue as long as the appointment is booked well in the future

Hopefully, though they are well beyond 2 weeks already, and their own website updates them as only processing May 11 post just now due to Covid and industrial action so it seems there is a good chance it won't turn up on time.

I guess they do need to see the passport despite them already having it from the last flr application?

I suppose the only other thing we can do apart from hope is for my wife to apply for a 1 week priority service passport (which is apparently running approximately on time) and upload that along with a letter explaining why her passport number doesn't match the one on the application.

My stepson applied for his provisional licence in May and had to send his BRP card. It arrived back this week followed by his licence a few days later. Almost 2 months.