Coronavirus (COVID-19): driver and rider trainer guidance
Updated 6 April 2021
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Stay up to date
This page tells you about driver and rider training and tests during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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 national lockdowns are affecting driving lessons and motorcycle training
- how driving tests are affected by COVID-19
- how ADI qualification and registration is affected by COVID-19
- how you should work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic
- what financial support is available for businesses and the self-employed
There’s different information for Northern Ireland.
1. Restart of driving lessons, motorcycle training and driving tests
Car driving tests are currently suspended in England, Scotland and Wales, and driving lessons are suspended in Scotland because of COVID-19.
Cars
Where dates are shown as ‘at the earliest’, they could change. They will be confirmed nearer the time.
| Activity | England | Scotland | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car driving lessons | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Car theory tests | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Car driving tests | 22 April | 6 May (at the earliest) | 22 April |
Car and trailers
Where dates are shown as ‘at the earliest’, they could change. They will be confirmed nearer the time.
| Activity | England | Scotland | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car and trailer training | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Car and trailer driving tests | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
Motorcycles
Where dates are shown as ‘at the earliest’, they could change. They will be confirmed nearer the time.
| Activity | England | Scotland | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle training | 29 March | 26 April (at the earliest) | 29 March |
| Motorcycle theory tests | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Motorcycle tests | 12 April | 6 May (at the earliest) | 12 April |
Lorries, buses and coaches
Where dates are shown as ‘at the earliest’, they could change. They will be confirmed nearer the time.
| Activity | England | Scotland | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus training | 29 March | 26 April (at the earliest) | 29 March |
| Bus theory tests | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Bus driving tests | 29 March | 26 April (at the earliest) | 29 March |
| Lorry training | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Lorry theory tests | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Lorry driving tests | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests | 29 March | 26 April (at the earliest) | 29 March |
Tractors and specialist vehicles
Where dates are shown as ‘at the earliest’, they could change. They will be confirmed nearer the time.
| Activity | England | Scotland | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tractor and specialist vehicle training | 29 March | 26 April (at the earliest) | 29 March |
| Tractor and specialist vehicle tests | 29 March | 26 April (at the earliest) | 29 March |
ADI qualification
Where dates are shown as ‘at the earliest’, they could change. They will be confirmed nearer the time.
| Activity | England | Scotland | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving instructor training | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| ADI part 1 (theory) tests | 12 April | 26 April (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| ADI part 2 (driving ability) tests | 22 April | 6 May (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| ADI part 3 (instructional ability) tests | 22 April | 6 May (at the earliest) | 12 April |
| ADI standards checks | 22 April | 6 May (at the earliest) | 12 April |
2. Theory tests and driving tests
There’s separate guidance about how theory tests and driving tests are affected by COVID-19. It explains:
- how 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 COVID-19.
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 NHS Test and Trace
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 COVID-19 symptoms within 48 hours of your driving test
- tests positive for COVID-19 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 COVID-19 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 the COVID-19 pandemic
The government has published guidance about working safely during COVID-19. 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 in Scotland.
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 COVID-19.
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
Financial 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.