News story

Driving lessons and driving tests to restart in Scotland

Driver training will restart in Scotland on Monday 24 August 2020, with driving tests restarting from Monday 14 September 2020.

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

Photo of an L plate on top of a driving school car

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Scottish Government have announced that:

  • learner drivers can resume training in Scotland from Monday 24 August
  • vocational and car and trailer driving tests will resume on Monday 31 August
  • car driving tests will start again on Monday 14 September
  • driving instructor testing and standards checks will restart on Monday 14 September

DVSA and the Scottish Government previously announced the restart of theory tests from 22 July 2020, and motorcycle tests and tractor driving tests from 3 August 2020.

Car driving tests will restart in Scotland on Monday 14 September, which will give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons and practice before taking their test.

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

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 Monday 24 August 2020
Theory tests Monday 22 July 2020
Driving tests Monday 14 September 2020

Motorcycle and moped

Service Date
Motorcycle and moped compulsory basic training (CBT) Monday 27 July 2020
Motorcycle direct access scheme (DAS) training Monday 3 August 2020
Theory tests Monday 3 August 2020
Motorcycle and moped module 1 and module 2 tests Monday 3 August 2020

Lorry, bus and coach

Service Date
Driver training Monday 24 August 2020
Theory tests Monday 3 August 2020
Driving tests Monday 31 August 2020

Car and trailer

Service Date
Driver training Monday 24 August 2020
Driving tests Monday 31 August 2020

Tractor and specialist vehicle

Service Date
Driver training Monday 22 July 2020
Driving tests Monday 3 August 2020 (for tractors), Monday 14 September 2020 (for other vehicles)

Approved driving instructor (ADI)

Service Date
Driving instructor training Monday 24 August 2020
ADI part 1 test (theory) Monday 22 July 2020
ADI part 2 test (driving ability) Monday 7 September 2020
ADI part 3 test (instructional ability) Monday 14 September
ADI standards check Monday 14 September

Motorcycle trainer

Service Date
DVSA enhanced rider scheme trainer theory test Monday 3 August 2020

Helping the country to get moving again

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 instructors but I am pleased to announce the first step in restarting some of our services in Scotland.

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 10 July 2020
Last updated 20 August 2020 + show all updates
  1. Added the dates that car driving lessons and car driving tests will restart in Scotland.

  2. First published.