Ruth Maguire MSP has today welcomed the resumption of driving lessons under Scottish Government guidelines.
Despite the announcement that Scotland would remain in Phase 3 of its route map out of lockdown, it was confirmed that scheduled lifting of certain restrictions would go ahead. Driving tests are currently due to restart on September 14.
This follows the resumption of motorcycle and tractor tests earlier in the month and theory tests being able to restart in July.
New measures will be put in place to protect driving instructors and learners with driving schools providing instructors with personal protective equipment (PPE) and requiring them to disinfect touch points inside their cars between lessons.
Test centres will also provide PPE for examiners including gloves and face masks. They will also provide training on cleaning equipment such as sat nav systems and tablets.
The SNP MSP said: “I know that many people in North Ayrshire who have been learning to drive will have been eager to get back behind the wheel during lockdown. Equally, instructors who have had to stop working as a result of the pandemic will have faced significant financial challenge.
“The Scottish Government guidance which allows the safe restart of lessons today will allow learner drivers to continue practising ahead of tests being able to resume on 14 September. I’d like to thank learners, instructors and examiners for their patience and understanding during this time and urge all to adhere to the guidelines put in place to keep everybody safe.”
Learners have been advised that any previous rescheduling should be ignored, with the DVSA advising: “If your car driving test was cancelled due to coronavirus, you were sent an email with a new date and time for your test. The new date you were given will not go ahead. This includes if the new date you were given was after the date tests restart where you live. Do not go for your test on that date.
“The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will email you again to ask you to go online and choose your preferred date and time for your test.”
At present, new driving tests cannot be booked and drivers with a previous test date will be given priority when booking resumes.
If your theory test certificate has expired during lockdown you will have to resit the theory test before booking a practical test.
Ruth Maguire MSP 