When Will Driving Tests Resume
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When will driving tests resume in England?
The earliest dates driving tests will resume in the UK is April 12th. Candidates have been made aware that driving tests will not resume before this date. The DVSA provided this update on the 9th of March, and If you need to rebook your cancelled driving test, you’ll need to wait until April 12th to do so.
The DVSA also provided an update on the status of other driving test types in England and Wales.
Make sure you check for updates from the DVSA before book your driving test.
Driving test schedule
| Type of driving test | Date |
|---|---|
| Car driving tests | 22nd of April at the earliest |
| Car and trailer driving tests | 22nd of April at the earliest |
| Motorcycle tests | 12th of April at the earliest |
| Bus driving tests | 29th of March at the earliest |
| Lorry driving tests | 12th of April at the earliest |
| Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests | 29th of March at the earlies |
| Tractor and specialist vehicle tests | 12th of April at the earliest |
| Driving instructor qualifying tests | 12th of April at the earliest |
When will theory tests resume?
Theory tests will resume no earlier than the 12th of March. This date is also subject to change, and we think the DVSA will confirm things when the government provide an update on the roadmap out of lockdown on the 5ht of April.
What if you are a critical worker?
If you need an urgent driving test booking, you can book an emergency lockdown driving test in England and Wales if you’re a critical worker. Critical workers are those that work for;
- The NHS, in health or social care
- The emergency services
- A local council
You also need to drive or respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of your job.
The rules have changed on applying for an emergency driving test. In the previous lockdown, you could book this test yourself, now, you need to contact your employer, and they will apply on your behalf.
Tier 4 driving tests
The Government introduced a tiered system of restrictions for dealing with the spread of coronavirus. Each area or region was placed in a tier based on infection rates, and each tier had its own set of restrictions.
The DVSA cancelled all driving lessons and tests in tier 4 locations, and if we move back to tiered restrictions at a later date, we’d expect this rule to remain in place.
Tier 3 driving tests
In the previous lockdown, driving lessons and driving tests were allowed in areas under tier 3 restrictions. The policy was announced on December 1st, before the DVSA cancelled all driving tests as the country entered into the third national lockdown.
The following driving tests were available to candidates in tier 3 locations;
- Car driving tests
- Theory tests
- Motorcycle training and testing
- Vocational tests
📢From 2 December, in tier 1, 2 or 3 in England:
✅driving lessons
✅driving tests (*from 3 December in tier 3)
✅theory tests
✅motorcycle training and testing
✅vocational tests (*from 3 December in tier 3)— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) December 1, 2020
Driving test update
If you’re planning on taking your driving test during the pandemic, it’s worth taking a few minutes to familiarise yourself with some of the recent changes the DVSA have made. For example, all candidates must wear a face covering for the duration of their tests. You need to wipe your vehicle down before the examiner enters, and if you make a serious or dangerous fault, the examiner will ask you to drive back to the test centre, instead of completing your route.
For a more detailed update on these changes, read this guide to find out what happens on the driving test.
We’ll keep this page updated with the latest news from the DVSA on driving tests in England and Wales.
When will driving tests resume in Scotland?
No date has been set for when driving tests will resume in Scotland. The Scottish Government are easing restrictions at a slower pace compared to their English counterparts. As it stands, driving lessons and tests will only be allowed once the area has moved into level 3 or lower.
When will driving tests resume in Wales?
Wales is in a similar situation to Scotland. Driving tests are prohibited, and there’s been no announcement on when they’ll resume. With driving lessons still suspended, learners in Wales are only allowed to practice on essential journeys with members of their household or support bubbles.
Frequently asked questions about lockdown and the driving test
The DVSA suspended driving tests in January due to the national lockdown. The government introduced new restrictions to slow down the spread of coronavirus. Although learning to drive is important, it’s not considered essential at this moment in time unless you’re a critical worker.
If you have booked a test for a date before April 22nd 2021, the DVSA will automatically cancel it. April 22nd is the earliest date driving tests will resume, and candidates will need to reschedule all tests booked before that date.
If the DVSA cancel your driving test due to COVID-19, you will be entitled to a refund of the driving test fee. You should see the refund on your bank statement a few days after the cancellation of your test.
The DVSA has updated the rules on driving lessons during this lockdown. As it stands, you can only have driving lessons in lockdown with someone that lives in the same household as you or someone in your designated support bubble.
Lessons can only take place on journeys to work, education or essential trips. You must have the right insurance too, otherwise your risk a £1,000 fine.
Driving lessons with a professional driving instructor are no longer allowed.
Unfortunately, driving instructors are not allowed to work during this current lockdown. ADI’s have been encouraged to apply for the 4th instalment of the self-employment income support grant, which covers February to April 2021.
If everything goes according to the government’s roadmap, the DVSA will release new driving test dates on or around the 22nd of April. If you would like to book a short notice driving test as soon as the new dates become available, you can do so using our driving test cancellation checker. Our software looks for cancelled driving tests and then automatically books you a new date that matches your preferences.
Unfortunately, the DVSA decided against extending theory tests that expired during the national lockdown. If your theory test expired during this period, you’d need to pass another theory test before being allowed to book your driving test.
The DVSA has said that learner drivers will have to retake their theory tests, as all candidates must have up-to-date knowledge of the Highway Code at the time of their driving test.
Understandably, of course, many learner drivers feel hard done by, by this decision. You can find an online petition with over 73,000 signatures asking the DVSA to reconsider.