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ADIs hit hard again as new lockdowns
suspend driver testing and training
As all MSA GB members will be aware,
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, along with
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in
Scotland, instigated a raft of new
restrictions on Monday. They effectively
mean all driver testing and training
activity in mainland Great Britain will be
suspended throughout January, with little
hope that any in-car tuition or tests will
be conducted until mid-February at the
earliest.
The decision was taken, Boris Johnson
said, with a heavy heart, but with
soaring new cases, pressure on the NHS
worse than in March and April 2020 and
deaths rising, he felt he had little choice
but to call for a second lockdown in
England. Nicola Sturgeon’s interpretation
of the data for Scotland led to her
arriving at the same conclusion.
Wales is currently in the middle of its
own lockdown which began before
Christmas, and this has forced the
suspension of driver testing and training,
too. While the regulations are due to be
revised on Friday (January 8), this
position is unlikely to change. The same
is true for Northern Ireland, where all
testing and teaching is suspended as part
of its own running six-week lockdown.
Peter Harvey, MSA GB National
Chairman, said the news was not
unexpected, but would still be difficult
for instructors to handle for all that it was
predictable. “We have all seen the figures
showing cases rising over the past few
weeks, and it was inevitable that
stronger action would be needed,” Peter
said. “To that extent MSA GB supports
this suspension of driver testing and
training.
“However, it will be a devastating blow
to many instructors who are worried
about paying their bills over the next few
weeks if they cannot work. I hope all the
franchises will be reasonable about fees,
and instructors can be given time for this
lockdown to finish and get back on their
feet.”
However, he stressed that “despite the
financial worries this lockdown will
cause, it’s imperative we all follow the
new rules. We all are really in this
together, and if we can get through to
spring I hope we can say the worst of the
virus will be behind us.”
He reminded all instructors to take
advantage of the Government support
schemes that are available, and said
MSA GB was standing by to offer any
assistance it could to help members who
are struggling. “We are a member
association, run by members, for
members. Remember that. We are ready
to help in any way we can. See pg 5 for
our contact numbers.”
• See also a new scheme set up to
help ADIs, on pg 10
Theory tests: Pearson Vue has taken
the decision to close its call centres after
it was proving impossible for staff to
handle the volume of calls and signpost
candidates to available testing slots. In a
statement Peasron Vue said: “All
enquiries will need to be made by email
until restrictions are lifted.
“Please email customercare@pearson.
com.”
It stressed that ADIs or candidates
“must not call the DVSA’s contact centre
as they will be unable to help with theory
test enquiries.”
If you do need to contact Pearson Vue,
the exam body has asked that any urgent
enquiries about a test in the near future
are marked ‘Urgent Action’ in the email
subject.
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NEWSLINK n JANUARY 2021