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Driving lessons resumed after the first lockdown finished, with thousands across England getting back in the driver’s seat after months of lessons being banned. But now learner driver’s fears could be confirmed if the Government moves to ban driving lessons and tests for the second lockdown.
The second lockdown will see England return to similar conditions put in place in March when COVID-19 first became prevalent throughout the UK.
Since the first lockdown, special measures have been in place to protect students and teachers during driving lessons.
As car sharing does not lend itself well to social distancing advice, vehicles are cleaned between each student and face coverings must be worn throughout the lesson.
But as new, harsher restrictions come in, many learner drivers are wondering if they will be able to continue with lessons throughout November as England heads back into lockdown.
Will driving lessons go ahead in the second lockdown?
A decision on whether driving lessons and tests will go ahead during the lockdown in England has not yet been made.
The DVSA is yet to confirm if the Government has given the go-ahead for driving lessons to continue throughout the second lockdown.
A spokesperson for the Agency said: “We are working closely with Government to agree the impact of the lockdown in England on DVSA services.
“We will update customers as soon as possible.”
The DVSA will contact you directly if your test is affected by local restrictions in England and Scotland.
Driving lessons will continue for learners in Scotland, which is not currently in lockdown, and will resume in Wales following the end of the circuit breaker lockdown.
During the spring lockdown, driving lessons were able to continue for key workers – but they were cancelled for everyone else.
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Driving tests were reinstated in England in August following months of no tests and lessons for keen learner drivers.
A huge backlog of people wanting to take their driving test occurred, with hundreds of thousands attempting to book in when the service reopened.
Prior to the spring lockdown, around 4,000 people took their driving test every day.
Theory tests were also banned as part of the lockdown, but restarted on July 4 in line with the easing of other lockdown restrictions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said at the time: “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.”
MPs will vote on the upcoming restrictions on Wednesday before the come into force on Thursday.
Socialising with those outside of your household will be banned across England from Thursday, with a stay at home advisory out for all residents.
Non-essential shops and the hospitality sector will also be closed from Thursday.
The restrictions are expected to last until December 2.
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