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The Government has announced driving lessons can soon resume, after the service was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will write to instructors on Thursday, setting out guidelines for a safe return to work.

When can driving lessons resume?

Driving lessons can restart in England only from Saturday, July 4.

The service was suspended on March 20 following the introduction of lockdown measures.

Mr Rees-Mogg said a “phased approach” would be taken to the return of practical testing in “a way that avoids a second peak in infections”.

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He told the Commons: “From July 4, I am happy to say that people will be able to take driving lessons on a motorcycle or in a car, lorry or bus and there will be a phased approach to resuming practical testing so learners have the opportunity to practise before taking a test.”

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency tweeted: “As the Leader of the House announced in Parliament, driving lessons can resume in England from 4 July.

“Driving tests will resume following that in a phased approach, allowing drivers time to reskill ahead of their tests.”

The agency added: “More details will be provided shortly.”

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will set their own rules for the return of driving lessons and tests.

Theory tests have also been suspended, but will continue on July 3.

However, if you’re a key workers you can apply for an emergency theory test.

This includes if you work in:

• health and social care
• education and childcare
• key public services
• local and national government
• food and other necessary goods
• public safety and national security
• transport
• utilities, communication and financial services

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What are the rules?

The DVSA told the BBC “more details will be provided in due course”.

However, AA Driving School said it was advising instructors they should “thoroughly” clean vehicles before and after each lesson, “paying particular attention to areas of the car that are touch points, such as door handles.”

Other measures for instructors include:

Wearing clothes that cover arms and legs

Wearing face coverings and disposable gloves (to be changed after each lesson)

Keeping windows down throughout the lesson

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