A Pass 4 U COVID-19 Update

(last updated 23/02/2021).

Dear All,

After the government’s announcement yesterday, it is our understanding that driving tests will be due to commence from 12th April 2021 onwards at the earliest. However, this has not yet been confirmed by the DVSA. We are expecting their plans to be outlined shortly and we hope that they will allow driving lessons to be resumed before tests are allowed to commence again.

Over the next few days, we will be contacting each pupil likely to be affected to advise them of what the situation is, so please bear with us.

We are conscious that many of you will be anxious to understand what will happen with your course/test if you have one booked or when you will be allowed to train once more. But we would ask that if you have any immediate concerns that in the first instance you email an outline of these to apass4u@yahoo.co.uk so that we can provide you with a detailed response as our phone lines are likely to be busy over this next period.

As before, the same Covid rules and regulations will apply to your driving test. This will include:

  • The car you use for your test must have at least one window open on each side throughout the test.
  • You will need to wear a face-covering during your test unless you have a good reason not to (please visit the DVSA website for all exclusions).
  • Both yourself and the instructor will need to ensure that the car you are taking to the test is thoroughly cleaned before the test and that all unnecessary items are removed from the vehicle.

Limited Testing Service

The DVSA are offering a limited testing service for both theory and practical tests in England and Wales only. However, this is only available to those who work in one of the following sectors:

  • NHS and Social Care Workers
  • The Emergency Services
  • The Local Council

 

You will only be able to book a test if you need to drive as part of your job and if you are required to respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of your job. You will only be able to book a test through the organisation which you work for (NHS, Police etc) and they will need to request this from the DVSA on your behalf. Unfortunately, we will not be able to book a test for you and we will only be able to teach you if you have already received a test.

If your workplace has been able to secure a test for you, you will need two pieces of evidence to be able to start your driving lessons which include:

  1. A copy of your emergency test booking confirmation email.
  2. A copy of the application request from your employer.

 

As current lockdown restrictions preventing standard driving tests from taking place are still in effect, you will need both of these documents to prove that you are allowed to receive driving lessons in case you are stopped at any point. Therefore, you will be required to take these with you along with your provisional licence on every lesson that you receive and on the test itself.

If you have any questions or have received an emergency test, please do not hesitate to contact us either by email at apass4u@yahoo.co.uk or call our customer service team on 03458 121 007 and we will be happy to help.

We look forward to seeing you all soon but in the meantime please keep safe and well.

Thank you for your patience.

Regards,
A M Mihill.
Services Director
APass4U Driving School