Newslink March 2021

News
Light at end of tunnel as DVSA edges
closer to outlining roadmap for testing
ADIs eager to get back on the road and
teaching have been told to hang in there
a little bit longer after L-tests and driver
training were placed in the second phase
of lockdown easing in England.
Boris Johnson announced on February
22 that L-tests could start from April 12
as long as things continue to progress
smoothly in the fight against Covid-19,
with confirmation of this date likely
towards the end of March.
But ADIs could receive clearer
guidance within days after MSA GB
National Chairman Peter Harvey joined
with NASP representatives in an online
meeting with DVSA chief executive
Loveday Ryder, who revealed that the
agency was finalising its own ‘roadmap’
to recovery.
“Our meeting with Ms Ryder on
Monday (March 1) was constructive,”
said Peter. “The DVSA hopes to make a
full announcement very soon on the way
forward for driver testing and training.
“We are hopeful driver training may be
allowed to start back ahead of testing, to
ensure those candidates taking the first
driving tests have a chance of
professional supervision of their final
practice, but there are no guarantees.”
That could mean ADIs back at work
around Easter in England, though Peter
stressed that this was purely speculation
at this stage and any decisions taken
now could be changed if new Covid-19
cases increased or new variants proved
more contagious or deadly.
On the issue of the testing backlog,
Peter said that DVSA is determined
to make an immediate impact
on it as soon as it was given
the green light by Government.
Peter commented: “The
DVSA plans to bring in every
available member of staff
trained to deliver tests,
and is hopeful that ways
can be found to increase
the number of test slots,
while bearing in mind
Covid requirements.
“At MSA GB we have
voiced our concerns that
the test waiting times will
be substantial once we’re
back in work, and it
threatens to create a
bottleneck that will
strangle the sector as soon
as it gets going again.
“The good news is that the DVSA is
equally determined to see waiting times
reduced to manageable levels quickly,
hopefully within 12 months.”
What are the current rules?
(These will not change before April).
At present in England:
All driving tests are suspended
because of the national lockdown. A
limited emergency driving test service is
available for some people who need to
drive as part of their job and respond to
‘threats to life’ as part of their job. Only
eligible employers can apply for these.
The only driving lessons allowed are
for people who can prove they have an
emergency driving test booked.
Learners can conduct private practice
as long as it is supervised by a family
member and is part of an essential
journey, ie, to work or college if
remote working/education is not
available.
It is hoped that driving
lessons will recommence on or
before April 12. Details of
when ADI Parts 2 & 3 will
Key information
Follow the links for the latest up-to-date news on
NASP updated
guidance here
(click button right)
On theory tests
(click button right)
Loveday Ryder
L- tests
(click button right)
Instructor guidance
(click button right)
When will we see you
again...? Could ADIs be
looking forward to taking
pupils on tests within seven
weeks?
recommence will be released
soon – hopefully this month.
Scotland
All driving tests are
suspended in Scotland because
of the temporary lockdown.
The Scottish Government has
set out its own roadmap, and
this says that lessons will not return until
April 26 at the earliest. There has been
no news so far on when driving tests can
recommence.
Please note that before lockdown, it
was mandatory to wear a face mask
when conducting driving lessons in
Scotland for both the instructor and
pupil.
This applies to practice sessions too.
This is likely to be the same once driver
training returns.
Wales
All types of driving tests are suspended
in Wales. A limited emergency driving
test service is available for some people
who need to drive as part of their job
and respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of
their job. Only eligible employers can
apply for these. Driving lessons for such
candidates are allowed.
The Welsh Government has not set out
a date for driving tests to return.
Whichever country you are in, you
cannot travel to another one for driving
lessons, training or testing.
Check out the
latest rules here
The latest Standard Operating Procedures
can be found on the NASP website for:
Driving Test; Vocational Test; Motorcycle
Test; ADI Part 2 Test; ADI Part 3 Test and
Standards Checks
They are changing all the time.
Make sure you know the
latest rules by clicking
the panel right
Check the
rules
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NEWSLINK n MARCH 2021