We are aware that the announcement of national lockdowns in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be of grave concern to the industry. As we have throughout the COVID crisis, NASP will work together to provide guidance and information to the training community as well as consulting directly with DVSA and other key stakeholders to address the concerns of the industry. Via your respective membership associations, please keep feeding in your questions and issues so we can raise them with the relevant stakeholders.
The details of how this lockdown impacts testing and training, and for each country, are detailed below with live links wherever possible, in these ever-changing times we in NASP will keep you updated as new information becomes available to us, all relevant information can also be found on the NASP website
This is the latest information available regarding driver training and testing in England, Scotland & Wales as of 6th January 21, we will update you as any further information becomes available.
DVSA have today issued guidance that Driving and riding lessons, including CBT must not take place until the restrictions are lifted. This includes ADI part 2 and 3 tests and standards checks
Country restrictions
England
You must not provide driving lessons or motorcycle training in England unless it’s with someone from your household during an essential journey because of the national lockdown.
Scotland
You must not provide driving lessons or motorcycle training in Scotland unless it’s with someone from your household during an essential journey because of the temporary lockdown.
Wales
You must not provide driving lessons or motorcycle training in Wales unless it’s with someone from your household during an essential journey because it’s in alert level 4.
Check if driving or theory tests are taking place
England
All types of driving tests are suspended in England because of the national lockdown.
Scotland
All types of driving tests are suspended in Scotland because of the temporary lockdown.
Wales
All types of driving tests are suspended in Wales because it’s in alert level 4.
If your driving test is affected
DVSA will email candidates who are affected by this to let them know they will reschedule their test.
If you have booked a test for any of your pupils, you will receive an email from DVSA 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 then 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 tests
All theory tests will be suspended by DVSA until the restrictions are lifted.
DVSA will email 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 for them, you would need to log into the booking system and rearrange their test for a new date and time.
Find coronavirus financial support for your business
Coronavirus (COVID 19) support is available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed.
Use this business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business: https://tinyurl.com/yd7o2p9d
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as soon as possible if you are struggling to make payments. If you did not make a Self-Assessment payment on account due in July 2020, your payment deadline will have been delayed (deferred) until 31 January 2021. You do not have to contact HMRC and will not have to pay a penalty.
Contact the HMRC helpline if you cannot pay any other tax bills because of coronavirus, for more information: https://tinyurl.com/n697oe3
Some questions we have jointly already put to DVSA
Q: Some newspapers have suggested driving instruction can go ahead during this lockdown in England, is this correct?
A: This was misinformation and incorrect, driver testing, or training is not allowed at this time
Q: Is key worker training or testing allowed?
A: At the moment neither is allowed, however the situation is being kept under review.
Q: Is vocational training and rider instruction allowed?
A: We wrote to you earlier to confirm that all driver rider and vocational testing and training must stop until the restrictions are lifted. Please find below some further detail.
Q: Is emergency service testing allowed?
A: During the new national lockdown we will work with ambulance trusts to provide them with essential emergency service driving tests
Q: Is driver CPC allowed?
A: Driver CPC training should be done remotely. This will be kept under review
Q: What will happen with test cancellations?
A: We will continue to reschedule tests cancelled as a result of the lockdown and candidates will be moved to the first available date. All tests will be rescheduled while the restrictions are in place and we will continue to keep the Governments guidance under review.
Q: Can delegated testing continue?
A: All vocational and car driving tests and theory tests will be suspended until the restrictions are lifted. As a result, all HGV delegated testing will be suspended whilst the restrictions remain in place. Delegated testing for those running public service vehicles may continue where necessary.
Q: Is private practise allowed?
A: Government guidance during the lockdown is to stay at home so private practice not advised until the restrictions are lifted.
There are a variety of useful resources on the NASP website:
www.n-a-s-p.co.uk.
