The Effect Coronavirus Is Having On Driving Lessons & Tests

Learning to drive and passing your driving test has never been easy and plain sailing in the past but in the present times its beginning to feel like its becoming impossible. With lockdown 1.0 putting a halt on driving lessons for 3 1/2 months and driving tests stopping for 4 months caused chaos within the industry. Driving schools became over whelmed with enquiries once we returned to teaching, the driving test booking site crashed due to high demands trying to book their test at the same time and driving tests themselves altered to limit the time spent within the car with each candidate.

From a driving school owners position, the initial 3 1/2 months were a worrying time. Not being able to work meant not only could I not bring money in to pay my personal household bills but our business expenses weren't going to pay for themselves either. Eager to return to teaching, I was initially overwhelmed by the high demand of enquiries we were bringing in and being back out on the road teaching had never felt better.

For our students there were mixed emotions, some who had the unfortunate luck of having their driving test cancelled due to the pandemic who were required to queue for hours to rebook the test. Some of which have had their test cancelled once again due to lockdown 2.0. Others are finding that even though driving lessons and tests are on hold once again, having the ability to practice with parents had been a massive boost. Working with our students, setting out goals to achieve and area's within their ability to try and strengthen whilst practicing with parents has had positive feedback.

The driving test has changed, wearing face masks and having the windows lowered throughout the driving test (resulting in wet electrics when it rains) is the new normal moving forward. The driving tests biggest change has been the duration of the test if a candidate makes a serious or dangerous fault during the driving test. Previously the driving test would continue to its normal 35-40 minute duration despite one of these faults happening. Now, if a serious or dangerous fault occurs the candidate will be directed back to the test centre without having to carry out any further manoeuvres or required exercises.

Whats next? And how long will it last? With a month long lockdown (2.0) those who had a test between 5th November - 1st December frustratingly go to the back of the queue, which is March / April 2021. 5/6 months after the original test date. Hoping that the pandemic does begin to decline in the spring like the government has indicated would mean that driving schools, our students and the driving tests can get back to a new normal, reducing the waiting time for tests, increasing the duration of the test and allowing thousands become more independent, less reliant on public transport and opening more opportunities.