Hello everyone, I’m sorry that it’s been a few weeks since I last updated this blog but until today I’ve had no further news to pass on. I’ve now received an email from the DVLA outlining their plan for driving tests which I will outline below for you.

The first news is the all theory test are cancelled until the 3rd of July. If you had a test booked within this time please check your emails as you should have received notice of this cancellation and the DVLA should have issued you with a new date. Keep up the practice, I know that this is frustrating for you all but please make sure, however confident you feel, that you keep revising and don’t let that knowledge slip!

If you have a driving test booked you should have received an email today explaining to you that your test has been put on hold. The DVLA will prioritise you when they begin testing again. You should receive an email inviting you to rebook at a time that suits you when the booking system opens up again. You will be given time before the booking slots become available to new bookings, to choose a date that we are both happy with. This is a really positive step on behalf of the DVSA as it will allow us to discuss a test date when we know I’m going to be allowed to work again, and book it in at a time that you feel confident with, so you can get some practice in before the new date and hopefully feel confident again.

The DVLA are currently addressing the following issues:

1. Preparing guidance for driving examiners on carrying out driving tests 2. Making sure driving test centres are ready to reopen 3. Making sure they have PPE in place 4. Understanding which driving examiners might not be able to return to testing straight away 5. Planning driving test schedules so that anyone who had a test cancelled because of coronavirus is considered a priority 6. Understanding how the situation might be different in England, Scotland and Wales

Once the government commit to a date that the centres will reopen, I’ll be able to explain to you all my plan to return to work and how things may be a little different. I will have a system in place to ensure I am following all guidelines to continue to keep everyone safe at this time, lesson times may need to change a little to allow me more time to clean the car between lessons, for example. I have got an action plan written, but as information changes daily I will keep adapting it as necessary and contact you all when lessons resume to explain the procedures we’ll be following.

The over riding message from the email I received is “In the meantime I want to re-emphasise that you should continue to limit driving lessons to critical workers who are preparing for an emergency driving test.” I have heard from many of you over the last week or so because you are seeing other instructors out on the roads, it’s lovely to know how keen you all are to get started with your lessons again, but please understand that it is not safe at this time for me to take anyone out. If you are seeing other people out they should be critical workers only and they will also have an emergency driving test booked.

I will continue to keep you all up to date when I receive more information. In the meantime, please know that I can’t wait to see you all, I am also desperate to get back in the car and feel useful again! If you have any questions about this information please send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Take care and I’ll speak to you all soon.