Can I learn to drive as lockdown eases?
Official routes to obtaining a
licence are suspended, except for key workers
Can
you take driving lessons from
a professional driving Instructor during lockdown?
The short answer is: no. Although
driving instructors are technically able
to return to work during this first phase of lockdown easing, none of their
clients will be able to join them in the car – unless the instructor erects a
screen between himself and the driver.
And if they did it would leave the
instructor without proper control of the car – he or she wouldn’t be able to
grab the wheel in an emergency, for example, so that probably isn’t going to
work.
Driving Instructors will not be able to accompany learner
drivers under social distancing guidelines, but there are some exceptions.
Official advice to instructors from
the Driving Instructors’ Association is that they are still allowed to train
key workers who have an essential need to drive –doe example a key worker who
need to drive on motorway or at night etc.
In these circumstances, driving
instructors are being told to conduct a risk assessment, and to follow safe working
practices, so if you can find a driving instructor willing to teach you, you may take
lessons but be prepared to answer about
your and your household before each lesson; you may have to sanitise your hands
or to wear a face mask.
Learning
to drive privately
There’s nothing in the regulations
which prohibits provisional DRIVING licence-holders from driving to
essential shopping trip, as long as
they’re accompanied by an eligible member of their household and the car is
correctly insured and wearing L-plates.
Learning to drive with someone who
isn’t within your household is not allowed under the current lockdown rules.
Are
driving tests still taking place?
Currently driving tests are suspended
until at least June 20, and this suspension may be extended further. If you already had a
car driving test booked, and it was cancelled, you’ll be emailed details of a
new date when tests are once again taking place.
If you’re a key worker, and you need
to drive in order to continue to do your job, it may be possible for you to
apply for an emergency driving test. However, you’ will need to be available to take your driving test at short notice if you apply, so only do
so when you’re ready and you feel you’ve had enough training and practice.
What
about theory tests?
Theory tests have been suspended
until at least May 31. And suspension may be further extended. If you already had a theory test
booked, and it has been cancelled, you’ll get a refund and you’ll have to
rebook it yourself when tests suspension is lifted.
As with the practical driving test,
if you’re a key worker you can apply for an emergency theory test. Again, the
DVSA says you’ll need to be available at very short notice, so make sure you’ve done
plenty of practice and feel confident enough to take
the test at short notice.
