From the DVSA:

We are lifting all COVID-19 restrictions affecting driving and theory tests in Scotland from 18 April in line with the announcement that Scottish restrictions that face coverings are no longer a legal requirement from the same date.

The changes in Scotland are:

• face coverings will be a personal choice for practical and theory test candidates and examiners
• instructors and accompanying drivers are able to sit in on driving tests

You need to make your pupils aware of these forthcoming changes, especially if you have made their practical test booking for them.

Driving tests restrictions lifted on 28 March in Wales and on 1 March in England.

DVSA guidance on GOV.UK will be updated shortly.

Face coverings

Your pupil will have personal choice on whether they want to wear a face covering on their driving or theory test from 18 April in Scotland.

Candidates will no longer have to let us know if they cannot wear a face covering in advance of their driving test from 18 April. This also applies to bookings you make on behalf of your pupils.

Our driving examiners can also make a personal choice to wear a face covering if they wish.

In addition, face coverings will be a personal choice for you and your pupils during driving lessons in Scotland. Scottish Government guidance strongly recommends that face coverings continue to be worn in indoor public places, and the public are advised to carry on taking sensible precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

ADIs sitting in on tests

We are lifting the restriction on ADIs and accompanying drivers to sit in on a driving test from 18 April.

This means that driving examiners will ask your pupil if they want someone to:

• sit in the back of the car during the test
• be with them for the result and feedback

ADI standards checks and ADI part 2 tests

The lifting of restrictions for wearing face coverings on tests from 18 April also includes ADI part 2 and part 3 tests and ADI standards checks.

Standards checks and part 3 tests will continue to last for 45 minutes.

Pupils testing positive for COVID-19

In Scotland people testing positive for Covid can only come out of isolation if they return a negative LFD test on both day 6 and day 7 – this will remain the case until the end of April.

If you are unable to make your test because you are isolating, you or your pupil should email us at [email protected] with the subject title ‘COVID-19 short notice cancellation’ to rearrange their test.

You or your pupil will need to include the following information in the email:

• their driving licence number
• their driving test booking reference number

We will then contact you or your pupil to help rearrange the test. Your pupil will not have to pay again.

Taking rapid lateral flow tests

From 18 April DVSA will no longer ask your pupils to consider doing a lateral flow test on the day of their test if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

Driving test waiting rooms

Glasgow Anniesland Driving Test Centre’s waiting room will reopen from 18 April. This waiting room has been closed since December to allow driving examiners to socially distance while they work.

Thank you for your support

We know this has been a very challenging period for the driver and rider training industry.

The changes we have made to our services have had an impact across the industry, but you have shown resilience, supported our colleagues and responded positively to our engagement.

We want to thank you for taking the necessary action to help reduce the spread of COVID and protect our colleagues.