Guidance

Coronavirus: driver and rider trainer guidance

Updated 11 January 2021

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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

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This page tells you about driver and rider training and tests during coronavirus (COVID-19).

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Introduction

This guide is for approved driving instructors (ADIs), motorcycle trainers, and lorry and bus (vocational) trainers. It explains:

  • how local restrictions are affecting driving lessons and motorcycle training
  • how you should work safely during coronavirus
  • what support is available for businesses and the self-employed
  • how driving tests are affected by coronavirus

There’s different information for Northern Ireland.

1. Driving lessons and motorcycle training: local restrictions

England

You must not provide driving lessons or motorcycle training in England because of the national lockdown.

You can supervise someone from your household or support bubble during an essential journey during the national lockdown.

Other pages on GOV.UK will be updated with this information as soon as possible.

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.

You can supervise someone from your household or support bubble during an essential journey in alert level 4 areas.

2. Working safely during coronavirus

The government has published guidance about working safely during coronavirus. It includes:

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:

3. Business support

Coronavirus support is available to businesses and self-employed people.

What to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work.

Find coronavirus financial support for your business.

You can read more information about business support from the Scottish Government and Welsh Government.

4. How theory tests and driving tests are affected

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:

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:

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