Driving Tests and Driving Lessons to restart after Coronavirus

Car driving tests will restart in England on Wednesday 22 July 2020 and Driving lessons can resume in England from 4 July 2020 with new social distancing and safety precautions in place.

Driving lessons and driving tests are still suspended in Scotland and Wales, in line with guidance from the devolved administrations.
Theory tests have restarted in England – they will restart in Scotland on Wednesday 22 July 2020, and in Wales on Monday 3 August 2020

Driving lessons and tests have been suspended since March 2020. However, there have been exceptions, with some key workers being offered both lessons and the opportunity to apply to the DVSA for an emergency test.

Learner Drivers should see some differences while taking lessons now lessons are back after lockdown restrictions lifted during Coronavirus (Covid-19)

It's very important that everyone follow current Government advice, which states you should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household.

facemask when taking driving test
Car photo created by freepik - www.freepik.com

Learner Driver Guidelines for safely returning to Driving Lessons

  • Before your lesson your Instructor should call or text to check if they have had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days.
  • Wear suitable clothing providing as much covering as is reasonable. Short sleeves are acceptable.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, in line with Government guidance, immediately before leaving the house for your lesson.
  • The Instructor should have gloves and masks to offer you before you enter the vehicle. If they want to wear disposable gloves, put them on just before getting into the car. Remember not to touch your face. Get used to wearing a mask for driving because you can't sit the driving test without one
  • The Instructor should arrange to meet you by the vehicle and not at your front door.
  • The Instructor should make sure you have washed our hands or have hand sanitiser ready for you making sure you sanitise your hands before getting into the car.
  • The instructor will explain that they can't shake hands or share visual aids, pens etc. with you and will be minimising contact with you for safety.
  • Between lessons the instructor should have cleaned down door handles inside and out, windows and mirror controls, seat adjusters and head restraints, seatbelt and its connection, gear lever, steering wheel, indicator and wiper stalks, car keys and training resources.
  • Car windows should be open as much as possible during the lesson to allow for ventilation.
  • The Instructor should avoid using the air conditioning if possible, however if it is used don’t set it to recirculate. In winter the car may be colder than usual so wrap up warm.
  • Any discussions with your instructor should be done outside of the car where safe and legal to do so.
  • At the end of your lesson you will be reminded to wash your hands as soon as you get back into your house.

Guidelines when taking your Driving Test

You must not come for your driving test if:

  • you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms
  • you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has coronavirus
  • you have entered or returned to the UK in the last 14 days, except in very limited situations
  • You have to stay at home (self-isolate).
You can change your driving test appointment if you need to self-isolate on the day of your driving test.
You can do this free of charge if you’re self-isolating, including if you do it at short notice (within 3 clear working days of the test).

Do not arrive for your driving test more than 5 minutes before your appointment time.

The driving test centre waiting room and toilets will be closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, you’ll be able to use the toilet if you have a disability or medical condition, or you’re pregnant.

At the test centre the DVSA has introduced social distancing measures and safety precautions. These include driving examiners wearing face coverings - they might also choose to wear gloves and use disposable seat covers.

They may limit the number of people arriving for a driving test at the same time.

Your driving instructor or supervising driver are No Longer allowed to sit in the back during your test.

You must bring and wear a face covering when you come for your test, unless you have a good reason not to. Your test will be cancelled if you come for your test without a face covering and you did not declare you could not wear one when you arranged your test.

You will need to remove your face covering briefly so your driving examiner can check your ID.

During your driving test, If you have a problem with your face covering during the test, your driving examiner will ask you to stop so you can adjust it. Your driving examiner will end the test early if it becomes a safety issue.
If you make a serious or dangerous fault, which means you’ve failed, your driving examiner will direct you back to the driving test centre, where the test will end. This is to minimise the amount of time you need to spend in the vehicle.

At the end of your test

Your driving examiner will:

  • ask you to get out of your vehicle before they give you your test result feedback
  • ask if you want your instructor to come over to listen to the feedback if it’s safe to do so
This is to minimise the amount of time you need to spend in the vehicle.

More published guidance based on these procedures can be found at:-
National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP)
Government Guidance Coronavirus: driving tests (England)



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