Driving lessons and tests on track to restart in April

If lockdown brought your driving practise to a crashing halt, we feel your frustration. 

Chances have been few and far between for those who’ve had to abandon lessons and postpone tests in the wake of the pandemic, but hope lies ahead in the coming weeks…

When will vehicle tests and lessons restart?

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) tweeted on Monday that, providing step 2 of the government roadmap goes ahead as planned, then from 12^th April 2021 in England, you can take:

• car, lorry driving lessons with instructors
• lorry tests
• theory tests
• motorcycle tests

It added that car driving tests could restart from 22^nd April 2021.

Step 2 on the government’s roadmap out of lockdown will see the reopening of non-essential retail on no earlier than 12^th April. This includes indoor leisure facilities and public buildings, such as hairdressers, libraries and gyms.

Whether or not this goes ahead on the date planned will be confirmed on 5^th April 2021.

In a statement to Express.co.uk, the DVSA said allowing lessons to resume first “will allow candidates time to practise on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions so they’re well prepared for driving independently before coming for [their] test.”

You can still get an emergency driving test in England and Wales if you’re a “critical worker,” in the NHS, health and social care, or you work for the local council and are required to drive or respond to “threats to life” as part of your work.

Booking your car driving test

You’ll need to have passed your theory test before you can book your practical driving test.

You can do this online. It’ll cost £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays through GOV.UK. If you can’t wear a face mask for whatever reason make this clear when you book, otherwise your test will be cancelled.

Hoping to pass your test soon? Get a young driver’s insurance quote from 1^st CENTRAL to avoid any more hold-ups.