DVSA announces emergency testing
The latest guidelines for training and testing during lockdown
To help stop the spread of coronavirus, routine practical driving tests have been suspended in England, Scotland and Wales.
Emergency Driving Tests
However, a limited theory test and practical testing service will be introduced in England and Wales. This will be available to:
• NHS health and social care workers
• the emergency services
• local councils
Who need to both:
• drive as part of their job
• respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their job
Because of the current COVID restrictions, we are not able to offer a mobile emergency worker test service in Scotland.
These tests will be carried out by examiners who have volunteered to continue to test during lockdown.
These organisations will be contacted directly to explain how they can access this service.
Teaching someone with a confirmed test booking
You can teach mobile emergency workers who have a confirmed test booking even if current local or national restrictions do not allow driving and riding tests.
Teaching anyone who only has a routine driving test booked is not allowed – even if they are an NHS health and social care worker, emergency service worker or local council worker. You must make sure that your pupil has the correct documentation as detailed below.
What you need during lessons
Do not take any pupils out unless you have both:
• a copy of your pupil’s emergency test booking confirmation email
• a copy of the application request from their employer
Use these to prove you’re allowed to teach during current restrictions if you’re stopped by the police.
During lessons you must be sure to follow government guidance about working safely during coronavirus.
Continuing national lockdown in England
As a result of the national lockdown in England you should continue to follow Government guidance to stay at home except for essential reasons.
The restrictions in England will remain in place until at least the date of the next review on Monday 15 February 2021.
You can read more about the lockdown measures on GOV.UK
Driving lessons
Driving lessons, must not take place until the restrictions are lifted. This includes ADI part 2 and 3 tests and standards checks.
Driving tests
All driving tests are suspended in England while the restrictions are in place. This includes ADI part 2 and 3 tests and standards checks.
We’ll email candidates affected by this to let them know we will reschedule their test.
If you have booked a test for any of your pupils, you will receive an email to let you know it will be rescheduled to a new time and date. You will need to contact your pupil to let them know.
DVSA will send you an email with the new time and date as soon as possible; please ask your pupils to be patient.
If the new time and date is not suitable for you or your pupil, you can choose a different time and date on GOV.UK. You will need your pupil’s driving licence number to do this. Your pupil does not need to pay again to do this.
Theory test
All theory tests will be suspended until the restrictions are lifted.
An email will be sent to anyone who has booked a test and is affected by this to let them know their theory test is on hold and that they will need to reschedule it by visiting https://www.gov.uk/change-theory-test.
If you booked your pupil’s theory test you will need to log into the booking system and rearrange their test for a new date and time.
More information
You can find what financial support is available to you on GOV.UK.
Check GOV.UK for the latest about:
• theory tests
• driving tests
• instructor guidance
Statement on Fleet Driver Training and Assessment
Fleet driver training and assessment is an important part of occupational road safety. This activity provides additional training or assessment to a qualified driver ensuring they are competent to drive a company vehicle. Such assessments are often a condition of commercial motor insurance, condition of employment and an important requirement of driver safety policy. It is for the employer to conduct their own risk assessment in line with their health and safety policies and justify any in-vehicle activity that they allow to proceed.