News story

Driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests to restart in England

Driving lessons and theory tests will restart on Saturday 4 July 2020 in England, and car driving tests will restart from Wednesday 22 July 2020.

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Check the latest information about theory tests, driving tests and driving instruction.

Photo of an L plate rooftop box on a driving school car

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that learners can resume driving lessons and motorcycle training in England from Saturday 4 July 2020.

The rule applies to all types of driver and motorcycle training in England, including private practice with someone you live with or in your support bubble.

Theory tests will restart in England on Saturday 4 July. The tests will take place with social distancing measures in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Car driving tests will restart in England on Wednesday 22 July, which will give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons and practice before taking their test.

There are different dates for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

DVSA will make further announcements about the resumption of testing, training and lessons, including publishing information on how services will be restarted safely, shortly.

When lessons and tests will restart

When services restart depends on what vehicle you’re learning to drive or ride.

Car

Service Date
Driving lessons Saturday 4 July 2020
Theory tests Saturday 4 July 2020
Driving tests Wednesday 22 July 2020

Motorcycle and moped

Service Date
Motorcycle and moped compulsory basic training (CBT) Saturday 4 July 2020
Motorcycle direct access scheme (DAS) training Saturday 4 July 2020
Theory tests Saturday 4 July 2020
Motorcycle and moped module 1 and module 2 tests Monday 13 July 2020

Lorry, bus and coach

Service Date
Driver training Saturday 4 July 2020
Theory tests Saturday 4 July 2020
Driving tests Monday 13 July 2020

Car and trailer

Service Date
Driver training Saturday 4 July 2020
Driving tests Monday 13 July 2020

Tractor and specialist vehicle

Service Date
Driver training Saturday 4 July 2020
Driving tests Monday 6 July 2020

Approved driving instructor (ADI)

Service Date
Driving instructor training Saturday 4 July 2020
ADI part 1 test (theory) Saturday 4 July 2020
ADI part 2 test (driving ability) Wednesday 22 July 2020
ADI part 3 test (instructional ability) Wednesday 22 July 2020
ADI standards check Wednesday 22 July 2020

Motorcycle trainer

Service Date
DVSA enhanced rider scheme trainer theory test Saturday 4 July 2020

Helping the country to get moving again

Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said:

Driving lessons and tests are vital in helping people get to work and visit loved ones, and provide the skills for a lifetime of safe driving.

As the country recovers from COVID-19 we can now open-up our services to help get the country moving again and I am very pleased to announce the restart of driving tests and lessons in a COVID-secure way.

Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA Chief Executive, said:

It has been vital that lessons and tests only resume when safe to do so and in line with the government’s advice.

We know this has been a tough time for the whole country including learners and driving instructors but I am pleased to announce the restart of lessons and tests in England.

Tests for critical workers have continued during the lockdown and I would like to thank all those instructors and examiners who have continued to work to help deliver tests for those who have done so much to help us during this terrible pandemic.

More information

  • Coronavirus: theory tests
  • Coronavirus: driving tests
Published 25 June 2020
Last updated 15 July 2020 + show all updates
  1. Added the date that approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 (instructional ability) tests and ADI standards checks restart in England.

  2. Added links to information about theory tests and driving tests in England, and in Scotland and Wales.

  3. First published.