DVSA update regarding driving lessons, theory, and local impact for Bristol and South Gloucestershire driving tests

In this blog, we will update you on:

• The current DVSA information, 
• Clarify the road map and starting to learn to drive, 
• The current legal way to learn to drive, 
  
• Theory test certificate expiring,
• If their a confirmed date for lessons to recommence,
  
• The local impact of COVID-19, driving tests, and test center closures will impact the local community of Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
  
  

All information presented in this blog is accurate at time of publication.
 

 Just over a week ago, the UK government laid out its road map for the easing of lockdown. It is hopeful lessons may resume from 12th April, it must be noted that driving lessons, vocational training, and tests were not explicitly mentioned in the plan, and within the government documents are only briefly mentioned as a possibility.

 The DVSA announced after Boris Johnson's announcement the following statement:

 "Driving lessons in England.

 In line with the government's roadmap announcement, driving and theory tests will resume no earlier than 12th April in England.

 We'll provide more information about when driving and riding lessons and other test types, including vocational and motorcycle tests, can resume as soon as we can, but this has not yet been confirmed.

 We're also working with the Welsh and Scottish government on resuming testing and lessons and will provide more information on this when we can."

 Quote from DVSA on 24th February 2021 on their official social media platforms.

 This statement from the DVSA indicates no confirmed date has been agreed with the government on WHEN driving lessons may commence or tests. Only clarify that lessons and tests would not start any sooner than 12th April 2021. Subject to ongoing discussions with the government. Please remember that driving lessons are close contact and confined spaces of up to 2 hours at a time. Because of this, runs a possibility that their maybe delays past 12th April 2021 for them to recommence.

 In Boris Johnsons' speech, the lockdown map will be monitored closely and will be subject to infection rates, deaths, and how the virus is affecting our country and communities. There is no guarantee that 12th April will be a date for non-essential businesses to reopen, but they remain hopeful that it's a date that may be achieved.

 With the way previous lockdowns have eased, it seems to indicate our industry will know when we are allowed to start with very short notice from the governing body.

 With this in mind, Bubble driving school will respond to all our enquires as soon as further information on when lessons and tests can recommence. We appolgise for this inconvenience, but we cant offer any lesson bookings until a clear date has been set. Please keep a eye on our Facebook and website for further information.

 We understand it's beyond frustrating for all our clients, both existing and potential new clients, as well as our fantastic team of instructors.

Can I learn to drive during lockdown 3.0?

 Yes and no is the answer.

 The DVSA has allowed lessons to commence ONLY for workers who need to drive as part of their job in direct response to "threats to life."

 This means ambulance drivers, flood defense and rescue workers, police, NHS, and health and social care workers.

 Now some have confused this with essential workers from lockdown 1.0 This is no longer the case. 

 In order for you to get an emergency driving test and certificate to learn to drive with a driving instructor, your Employer must apply to the DVSA for certification to learn to drive. Once the DVSA has approved this application to your Employer, Your Employer must then apply for your driving test.

 Only then can you have driving lessons legally. (Please note that you will need to present and carry certification document to learn to drive at all times with your instructor and your approved test date)But, be aware that if your applying so you can commute to work, your application will be declined by the DVSA.

 Here is a direct quote from DVSA surrounding Emergency workers learning to drive:

 "We're introducing a limited theory test and practical test service for NHS health and social care workers, the emergency services, and local councils.

 This will only be for those who need to drive as part of their job and respond to threats to life.

 We can only accept applications for these tests from employers, such as NHS Trusts.

 There are no plans to extend this service further at this time.

 Instructors will be able to teach candidates with a confirmed booking for a mobile emergency worker test."

 Quote from DVSA 2nd February 2021 on their official social media platforms.

OK, I'm not an emergency worker, but can I practice privately with one of my household members?

 Yes, but there are strict criteria.

 You are only allowed to private practice if your journey is essential. Defined by the government,
 
DVSA statement:
 
"Private practice for England
 

Government guidance is very clear - people should stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS unless the trip is essential. 
 

A journey solely for driver learning purposes is not considered essential. 
 

However, current guidance has been reviewed and updated:
 

You can only practise driving with members of your household or support bubble when travelling for work, education or other essential journeys.

The same advice applies to Scotland and Wales."
 
DVSA quote from January 11th 2021 on their official social media platforms.

 It is an illegal offense under the emergecny COVID-19 regulations 2020 to private practice outside the above criteria during lockdown 3.0 and if pulled over by police, could result in a £200 fine each for the driver and passenger/observer.
 
 

 My theory expired during a lockdown. Will the DVSA extend my theory certificate?
 
The short answer is no.
 
Unfortunately, it is written into law the duration of a valid theory certificate is two years for you to pass your practical test.
 
The DVSA and government have made no allowance for this throughout the whole of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, this means if your theory certificate expired during this lockdown or any of the previous lock-downs, you would have to resit your theory test.
 
It's forecasted that the waiting time on this will be longer than expected when applying for your theory test. This is due to the reduction of the amount people allowed inside the theory test center at any given time. Before the pandemic, the average waiting time was three weeks. It is expected for this to be nearer 7+ weeks waiting from the point of booking.
 
We, as a business, feel the government has failed with learner pupils on this matter. But it is written in UK law and can not be changed.
 
We advise all clients during lockdown to brush up on their knowledge and revise the highway code and practice the hazard and perception, so you are ready for theory resit, and your understanding is up to date for when lessons commence.
 
Has there been an official date set on when driving lessons and tests will resume?

At the time of publishing, there is no confirmed date when lessons will start or driving tests.
 

So what is the local impact you mentioned?

As many will know, Bristol had three driving test centers, Brislington, Kingswood, and Avonmouth. However, the Brislington test center has now been closed by the DVSA. 

 The impact of Bristol/South Gloucestershire will have test capacity reduction. The DVSA will eventually re-allocate Brislington's examiners to the Kingswood, Avonmouth, and Chippenham test centers. Due to workplace health and safety, this won't happen for some time until health and safety guidelines for DVSA examiner capacity is relaxed in ALL test centers post-lockdown
 

 Before lockdown 1.0 commenced in march 2020, the average test waiting time at all three Bristol centers was between 7-10 weeks.

 Post lockdown 2.0, that time scale had nearly doubled. As of December 2020, the average test waiting time was up to 22+weeks Nationwide with some areas across the UK being 30+weeks. 

 As mentioned with the closure of 1 test center, the impact will bring test waiting times in Bristol anywhere up to 28+ weeks, potentially even more with the massive backlog from lockdown 1,2 and 3.

 To clarify, while Bristol and other areas across the country have had test centers closed, the waiting times for tests nationwide was 20+ weeks. so this will affect all across the UK

 Because of this local impact, BubbLe driving school will not be offering intensive courses until the test waiting time is significantly reduced. This is to ensure we can still help our clients pass their tests but, it's also not to fail clients who want a course, but in the end, we can not deliver a test for many, many, many weeks.

 With 8 months' worth of 16-year-olds turning 17, young adults who never learned to drive now needing to drive, adults who now need to drive, as well as clients who had their tests canceled and changed since the very first lockdown who started to learn to drive in late 2019. Our industry is beyond high in demand.
 
 

 In conclusion, while this is a lot of information to process, we hope this will clarify the local impact of COVID-19, the effects of test center closure and provide you with guidance on the training route that works best for you, whether it's weekly lessons or intensive courses. The pandemic impact will be felt for a long time, but the driving sector will take over a year, if not more, to fully recover and get back to normal post-pandemic. While every driving instructor and every driving examiner in the country will do their utmost to make sure normality is reached as soon as safely possible, we do ask that the general public consider the recent global events when looking to learn to drive and succeeding in passing their driving test and consider the pressure's on our sector.