Driving lessons and theory tests will be able to restart in England from 4 July, the transport secretary has confirmed.

Car practical assessments can also resume from Wednesday 22 July.

The government says the newly-confirmed dates will “give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons and practice before taking their test” as coronavirus lockdown measures are eased.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the news on Thursday.

“Driving lessons and tests are vital in helping people get to work and visit loved ones, and provide the skills for a lifetime of safe driving,” he said.

“As the country recovers from COVID-19 we can now open-up our services to help get the country moving again and I am very pleased to announce the restart of driving tests and lessons in a COVID-secure way.”

Theory tests will have to take place with social distancing measures in force to help stop the virus spreading.

Details on how practical lessons will be conducted safely has been promised by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency “shortly”.

Some exams will be able to start sooner:

• Tractor and specialist vehicle training and tests from 6 July
• Motorcycle and moped module 1 and module 2 tests from 13 July
• Lorry, bus and coach driving tests from 13 July
• Car and trailer driving tests from 13 July 2020

Tests for key workers have continued despite the shutdown most industries have faced for the last three months.

Gareth Llewellyn, chief executive of the DVSA, thanked “all those instructors and examiners who have continued to work to help deliver tests for those who have done so much to help us during this terrible pandemic”.

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