Your Driving Lessons after Coronavirus (Covid-19) Lockdown
I hope you and your family are keeping safe and well. These are very strange times and, in the 16 years I’ve been a driving instructor, it’s the first time I’ve not been able to do driving lessons. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The good news is that lessons can restart in England from Saturday 4 July 2020. And car driving tests will restart from Wednesday 22 July 2020. However, the situation is constantly changing and I will keep you updated as and when advised to by government or the DVSA.
To keep us all as safe as possible during your driving lessons, I need to make some changes. This will mean taking some safety precautions before, during and after your lessons.
Before we restart your lessons, I’ll also need you to sign some new Terms & Conditions. I am getting in touch with all existing pupils about that. In the meantime, here’s an outline of what to expect:
Your Practical and Theory Driving Tests
During the coronavirus lockdown, all practical and theory tests were cancelled. Theory tests will restart from 4 July and practical driving tests from 22 July. If your test was originally scheduled during the lockdown period, the DVSA will be in touch and you will have priority for rebooking. Understandably, there will be a backlog of tests to schedule, so please expect a longer than usual waiting list.
The DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, recently said:
“It has been vital that lessons and tests only resume when safe to do so and in line with the government’s advice.
“We know this has been a tough time for the whole country including learners and driving instructors but I am pleased to announce the restart of lessons and tests in England.
“Tests for critical workers have continued during the lockdown and I would like to thank all those instructors and examiners who have continued to work to help deliver tests for those who have done so much to help us during this terrible pandemic.”
DVSA has continued to test critical workers during the lockdown and driving lessons have continued for these workers.
The phased restart to testing:
- 4 July – driving and riding lessons and Compulsory Basic Training to restart (England only)
- 4 July – theory test restarts for all candidates (England only)
- 6 July – expanding critical worker driving tests to more applicants (Great Britain)
- 22 July – practical driving tests to restart (England only)
New candidates will be able to book driving tests once DVSA has carried out the tests reserved for critical workers and everyone with a suspended test has had the opportunity to choose a new time and date.
DVSA is contacting anyone who has a scheduled test to let them know what will happen next. DVSA will then email them at a later date to invite them to book a test at a time and location that is convenient for them.
Extension of Theory Tests
As yet, there has been no confirmation of any extension to theory tests that are due to expire soon. If your theory test is due to expire within the next few months, I recommend that you book another date before the expiry, which the DVSA will allow you to do. You will be able to ask for a refund if you don’t need the revised date.
If you have not yet booked a theory test, I recommend that you do so as soon as possible, to get a date in the diary.
Health and Safety during your Driving Lessons
To protect us both, the car and equipment will be deep cleaned before we return to lessons.
Before and after each lesson or test the car will be cleaned, including:
- Door handles (inside and out), including grab handles
- Window and door mirror controls
- Seats and seat adjustment controls, seatbelt, buckle and clasp
- Steering wheel, steering wheel adjuster, indicator and wiper stalks, and horn
- Gear lever and parking brake
- Interior mirrors
- Bonnet catch (internal and external)
- Other controls such as sat nav, ventilation and window demister
- Car keys
I will clean the car when I arrive – please keep two metres away until I call you over. I’ll also ask you several questions before you get in the car and take your temperature with a non-contact forehead thermometer.
If you are showing any Coronavirus symptoms, your lesson will not go ahead.
Your Responsibility before each Driving Lesson
Before you leave your house, wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Please bring a mask with you and put it on before you get in the car.
Please stand two metres away from the car and answer the following questions:
- Coronavirus symptoms – have you had it, been tested for it and had results of the test?
- Shielding – are any of your household in the enhanced risk health categories?
- Do you have any health issues that may impact your ability to drive?
- Do you have a new continuous cough?
- Do you have a fever or high temperature? I will take your temperature with a non-contact thermometer.
When you get in the Car
Sanitise your hands again – you can use your own hand gel or I will have some in the car. Wash your hands again immediately after your lesson.
If you want to wear gloves, put them on before you get in the car and I must see you put them on. However, general advice is that good hand hygiene is better than gloves, as they could provide a false sense of security.
All personal possessions, such as your mobile phone and keys, must be kept in your own pockets. Do not put them on the dashboard or in the car’s door pockets. If you bring a bag with you, it will go in the boot. Please keep any belongings with you to a minimum.
If you experience Coronavirus Symptoms
If you, or anyone in your household, experience any coronavirus symptoms, you MUST cancel your driving lesson, giving as much notice as you can. Once cancelled, you will not be able to restart your lessons until you have either tested negative for Coronavirus or followed the government’s isolation recommendations.
I thank you for your patience and understanding in carrying out these necessary cleaning and safety checks, so that we can protect each other and keep your lessons going. If you’ve any questions or concerns, please contact me.