Coronavirus: driver and rider trainer guidance
Updated 17 February 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-restarting-driver-and-rider-training-and-tests/coronavirus-restarting-driver-and-rider-training-and-tests
Stay up to date
This page tells you about driver and rider training and tests during coronavirus (COVID-19).
It will be updated if anything changes.
Introduction
This guide is for approved driving instructors (ADIs), motorcycle trainers, and lorry and bus (vocational) trainers. It explains:
- how local restrictions and lockdowns are affecting driving lessons and motorcycle training
- how driving tests are affected by coronavirus
- how ADI qualification and registration is affected by coronavirus
- how you should work safely during coronavirus
- what financial support is available for businesses and the self-employed
There’s different information for Northern Ireland.
1. Driving lessons and motorcycle training
England
You must not provide driving lessons or motorcycle training in England because of the national lockdown.
However, you can:
- supervise someone from your household or support bubble during an essential journey
- teach a mobile emergency worker if they have an emergency driving test booked via their employer
Scotland
You must not provide driving lessons or motorcycle training in mainland Scotland because of the temporary lockdown.
You can supervise someone from your household or support bubble during an essential journey during the temporary lockdown.
Driving lessons and motorcycle training can take place in areas in protection level 3.
Wales
You must not provide driving lessons or motorcycle training in Wales it’s in alert level 4.
However, you can:
- supervise someone from your household or support bubble during an essential journey in alert level 4 areas
- teach a mobile emergency worker if they have an emergency driving test booked via their employer
Teaching mobile emergency workers with an emergency driving test booked
You can teach mobile emergency workers who have a confirmed emergency driving test booking in England and Wales.
This service is only available to:
- NHS health and social care workers
- the emergency services
- local councils
To be eligible, your pupil must both:
- need to drive as part of their job
- respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their job
Your pupil should talk to their employer to find out if they’re eligible and how to apply.
This service is not available in Scotland.
You must not teach anyone who only has a routine driving test booked - even if they are an NHS health and social care worker, emergency services worker or local council worker.
What you need during lessons
During any driving lessons with your pupil, you must have:
- a copy of your pupil’s emergency test booking confirmation email
- a copy of the application request from their employer
You can use these to prove you’re allowed to teach during lockdown if you’re stopped by the police.
You must follow the guidance about working safely during coronavirus.
2. Theory tests and driving tests
There’s separate guidance about how theory tests and driving tests are affected by coronavirus. It explains:
- how local restrictions are affecting tests
- what changes your pupils can expect when they take their test
Check the guidance about:
Booking tests
You can still book and manage tests for your pupils.
Driving test centre waiting rooms
Not all driving test centre waiting rooms are open because of coronavirus.
There are temporary rules for using waiting rooms which are open.
Check which driving test centre waiting rooms are open and the rules for using them.
Sending information to the NHS Test and Trace service
DVSA will share your details and your pupil’s details with the relevant NHS service if a DVSA member of staff you had close contact with both:
- develops coronavirus symptoms within 48 hours of your driving test
- tests positive for coronavirus after their symptoms developed
There’s more information in the privacy notices for:
3. ADI qualification and registration
If you’re qualifying to become an ADI
If your trainee licence was issued in January 2021
You can ask for your trainee licence to be reissued when coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.
Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for advice about the options available in your personal circumstances.
DVSA ADI team
padi@dvsa.gov.uk
You need to include your:
- personal reference number or driving licence number
- date of birth
- postcode
If your trainee licence expires soon
Contact DVSA for advice about the options available in your personal circumstances if your trainee licence expires soon.
DVSA ADI team
padi@dvsa.gov.uk
You need to include your:
- personal reference number or driving licence number
- date of birth
- postcode
If you’re thinking about applying for a trainee licence
Contact DVSA for advice about the options available in your personal circumstances if you’re thinking about applying for a trainee licence.
DVSA ADI team
padi@dvsa.gov.uk
You need to include your:
- personal reference number or driving licence number
- date of birth
- postcode
Taking the ADI part 3 test
The law says you must book the ADI part 3 (instructional ability) test within 2 years of passing the ADI part 1 (theory) test.
You can take the ADI part 3 test more than 2 years after you passed your ADI part 1 test, as long as you book it within the 2-year limit.
If no appointments are available when you book, you can book an ‘on hold’ test. This means:
- you have to pay for the test
- DVSA arrange the test date when appointments become available
This meets the legal requirement for you to book your test within 2 years.
DVSA does not have any legal powers to extend your ADI part 1 theory test pass certificate.
If you’re already an ADI
If your ADI registration expires soon
You can choose to not renew your ADI registration if it expires soon.
You then have up to 12 months from the date it expires to re-register as an ADI without having to take the qualifying tests again. It costs the same to re-register (£300) as it does to renew your ADI registration.
You cannot charge money (or monies worth) for instruction while your registration is lapsed.
Extending ADI registrations
The law sets out how long ADI registrations last and what they cost. DVSA does not have any legal powers to:
- extend your ADI registration
- waive or reduce the ADI registration fee
4. Working safely during coronavirus
The government has published guidance about working safely during coronavirus. It includes:
- guidance for people who work in vehicles
- cleaning your workplace safely
- keeping records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
Wear a face covering in Scotland
You and your pupil must wear face coverings during driving lessons and practice sessions.
If you do not wear a face covering, you must have a good reason, for example:
- you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability
- wearing it would cause you severe distress
- you and the person you’re teaching live in the same household
Wearing glasses does not count as a good reason.
You can be fined £60 if you do not wear a face covering during a driving lesson in Scotland. This will be reduced to £30 if you pay within 28 days.
Read detailed information from the Scottish Government about driving lessons.
Detailed guidance about working safely
Representative organisations have published detailed guidance about working safely during coronavirus.
Check the guidance for:
- car driving instructors - from the National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP)
- motorcycle trainers - from MCIA Ride and the Driving Instructors Association
- vocational trainers (PDF, 165KB) - from the National Vocational Driving Instructors Register
5. Financial support
Coronavirus support is available to businesses and self-employed people.
-
Check what to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work.
-
Sign up for email alerts about new or updated business and self-employed support.
Scotland
You can read more information about business support from the Scottish Government
You may be eligible for the Mobile And Home Based Close Contact Services Fund. This is a one-off £4,000 payment.
Wales
You can read more information about business support from the Welsh Government.