DRIVING tests for learners in England will start again on April 12 under plans to ease the country out of the coronavirus lockdown.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his four-step roadmap in an update in the Commons today.
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The PM didn’t specifically mention driving tests in his speech but Government documents have confirmed the start date for examinations.
Driving tests will form part of "stage two" of the roadmap, which will begin April 12 at the earliest.
Mr Johnson has repeatedly stressed that lockdown will be eased cautiously, and he will be guided by “data not dates”.
He warned that for each step to be taken, benchmark numbers will need to be met on Covid cases, hospital admissions, vaccinations and deaths.
How will driving tests be Covid-secure?
DRIVING instructors and examiners will likely have to follow Covid-secure measures when with students.
When driving tests took place in between lockdowns last year, the following rules were in place:
- You will have to wear a face mask
- You will find out midway through your test if you've failed
- The car must be cleaned before your test
- Waiting rooms will be closed
- Driving instructors can't sit in the car during your test
- You'll be asked to get out of the car to get your results
- Don't come for your test if you've got coronavirus symptoms
The Government hasn’t said when learners will be able to book their practical test again though.
After the first lockdown, learner drivers who'd test had been postponed were offered the first test slots before they were opened up to new bookings.
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are yet to confirm what the process will be and when theory tests will restart.
It's likely the DVSA website will be extremely popular when it starts taking booking again.
Brits had to wait hours to book a test after millions of people forced the website to crash when it opened on August 26.
Test centres will have to make sure they are Covid-secure before opening up again, to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
Instructors will have to continue to wear PPE when inside the car, although drivers are exempt as covering your face when driving could be dangerous.
Satnavs and tablets will also need to be cleaner more regularly and drivers and instructors won't be able to handshake.
Driving lessons, tests and theory exams have not been able to go ahead during the third lockdown in England.
It means the only way Brits have been able to brush up on their driving skills is with members of their household or support bubble.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales set their own rules regarding driving lessons so it's best to check the Government websites to find out more.
We explain how to book your practical driving test.
New measures brought in, in the wake of coronavirus, will change how some aspects of the practical tests are conducted.
It comes as research found a fifth of drivers struggle to get behind the wheel after lockdown.
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