There’s no question that COVID-19 has changed the way we all live and do things, we are learning to live with the ‘new normal’ every day. With more shops and more public places reopening over the past few weeks, eager learners have been awaiting driving test news for a long time.
The DVSA cancelled all tests in March and rescheduled them for June onwards, but in an announcement made on 16th of June, those rescheduled tests have also been cancelled. During this suspension, only critical workers have been receiving driving lessons and emergency tests. Driving instructors and driving schools already have or will have to adapt the way they teach learners to control the spread of the virus.
The government has announced today (25th of July) that driving lessons for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses can restart from the 4th of July, with driving tests restarting from the 22nd of July for cars. Theory tests have now been scheduled to restart from the 4th of July (previously the 3rd), following latest government advice in England. ADI training and part 1 will restart on the 4th of July. Part 2 on 22nd July, with dates yet to be confirmed for part 3 and ADI standards check.
Theory tests, driving lessons and driving tests are still suspended in Scotland and Wales, with different dates for Northern Ireland. (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-motoring)
A few safety measures that instructors, driving schools and learners should take to stop the spread of the virus.
Declaring symptoms
You will need to let your instructor know if you have any Covid-19 symptoms and if anyone in your household or anyone who you may have been in contact with recently has symptoms/has the virus. If so, you need to self isolate and follow government advice and not take your driving lesson/test.
Car cleaning
Instructors will need to clean their car regularly and in between each lesson to stop the spread of the virus. All exterior and interior surfaces that are touched by the instructor/learners will need to be disinfected as soon as possible. Ideally, the vehicle should be deep cleaned as often as possible.
PPE & clothing
Face coverings will need to be worm by both the instructor and the learner. Some instructors may wear PPE. You should avoid clothing that exposes the skin which may come in contact with the car seat/seatbelt. As standard, sensible, flat shoes for driving.
Driving
Although this may make communication between the instructor and learner more difficult, windows should ideally be open to allow for air circulation.
Driving schools and driving instructors will have their own set of rules that you should follow when taking your lessons.
The DVSA has put measures in place for theory tests and driving tests.
For more information on specific dates for other vehicles, you can visit the official Gov website here:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-lessons-theory-tests-and-driving-tests-to-restart-in-england
The DVSA has updated their privacy notice to include coronavirus tracing if a member of staff you have had close contact with develops symptoms of Covid-19 within 48 hours of your driving test, or they test positive for coronavirus. Your details such as name, address, email and contact number will be shared with the NHS so that they can contact you to tell you that you need to self-isolate. DVSA’s privacy notice can be found here.
Our driving test cancellation checker will start searching for cancellations as soon as the DVSA resume their online services and you have an active test booking. Learners who have had their driving tests put on hold will be given priority to book their test. (Please bear in mind that the DVSA may not restart the change appointment service on the 22nd of July and there will be work that we will need to undertake to ensure our systems are working up to the highest standards as before).
The SpeedyTests team.