Yahoo Sports Will driving tests and lessons be cancelled in a second lockdown?
England is set to go back into lockdown on Thursday 5 November to combat the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country.
Boris Johnson announced the new lockdown on Saturday and said it will last until Wednesday 2 December, but this could be extended depending on the rates for coronavirus infections at the time.
Lockdown will mean that from midnight on Wednesday 4 November, all non-essential businesses will close. This includes retail shops, gyms, pubs and restaurants.
Additionally, people will be told to stay at home except for very few circumstances, such as education and getting childcare.
But what does all of this mean for those in the midst of driving lessons? Here’s everything you need to know.
Can driving lessons and tests continue in lockdown?
The DVSA has confirmed that driving lessons and tests will not continue during the November lockdown.
“Following the Government announcement on tougher national restrictions from Thursday, driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020," a spokesperson told The Independent.
“We will be providing further guidance and contacting those affected as soon as we can,” they added.
Driving lessons and tests were also banned in the first lockdown aside for key workers who are required to drive for their jobs.
They resumed in July, though there was a backlog for those seeking lessons.
At the time, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "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.”
In Wales driving lessons were suspended for its firebreak lockdown, which comes to an end on 9 November.
What is a Covid-secure driving test?
When driving tests resumed on 22 July - lessons resumed on 4 July - they had to comply with a number of health and safety measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
For example, examiners were required to arrive with an antiviral wipe to clean the passenger door and anything else they touch inside the vehicle.
The DVSA also advised people not to arrive more than five minutes prior to their test to avoid crowds of people loitering.
Face coverings were also required to be worn by both the instructor and the person being tested.
“Following the Government announcement on tougher national restrictions from Thursday, driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020.
“We will be providing further guidance and contacting those affected as soon as we can.”
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