Response to Covid-19.
What Will Learning To Drive Look Like After Lockdown?
Whether you were planning on learning to drive, had had a number of lessons, or were preparing for your test, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a lot of our learner drivers to change their plans. However, more and more lockdown restrictions are being lifted, which could see pupils finally getting back behind the wheel in the coming months. What can you expect from lessons in a totally changed world though?
BEFORE YOUR DRIVING LESSON
On the day of your driving lesson, your instructor will get in touch to ask you if you, or anyone in your household, has had symptoms of COVID-19 within the last seven days. They will also ask you if you have been in contact with a symptomatic individual within the last 14 days. If the answer to either of those is a yes, then your lesson will be cancelled.
The UK Government has introduced a contact tracing programme in recent weeks. The aim of this programme is to trace the contacts of infected individuals, and tell those contacts to isolate for 14 days to prevent the virus spreading further. If you get a call from a contact tracer, then it’s important that you cancel your driving lesson right away. Even if you feel well, you could be carrying the virus. Stay home and postpone your lesson until you have completed your 14 days of self-isolation.
Always check the current government guidelines for the most accurate and up to date advice.
BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR
If your driving lesson is able to proceed, then there are a few things you can do to prepare. Wash your hands for 20 seconds immediately before your lesson, and if you wish to, put on some disposable gloves just before you get into your car.
Your driving instructor will have a short conversation with you before your lesson begins. This will take place outside the vehicle. This is a chance for them to see that you aren’t displaying any symptoms and remind you to wash your hands if you haven’t done so. If you are a new pupil, you will be asked to hold up your provisional licence so they can check it electronically.
KEEPING OUR VEHICLES CLEAN
We always keep our fleet of learner driver cars in pristine condition, and we have stepped up our hygiene measures to meet current public health guidelines. Your instructor will clean the following before your lesson:
- Internal and external door handles
- Steering wheel
- Car keys
- Windows and mirror controls
- Seat and head restraints
- Seatbelts and buckles
- Gear lever
- Indicator and wiper controls
- Learning materials
DURING YOUR LESSON
Here at A2Z Driving Academy, we aim to deliver lessons that keep you safe without sacrificing on the learning experience. Your instructor will keep the windows of the car open to provide adequate ventilation – and air con will be used in the event of bad weather. Dress for the weather – you don’t want to be hot and uncomfortable during your lesson. When you get home, it’s a good idea to get changed and then take a shower right away.
During your lesson, your instructor will make sure that neither of you face each other directly when talking. Facing forward is the safest option in an enclosed space like a car. They will hold up any learning materials rather than passing them back and forth. If they need to perform a demonstration, they will wipe down the controls afterwards. They will give notes by text message or email so that you don’t have to share a pen. If you can, make your payment electronically rather than using cash.
PPE
PPE is a concern for many of our students. Wearing disposable gloves is something we encourage. If you want to wear a face mask and would like your instructor to wear one, please discuss this with them. We will always work in full accordance with DVSA, government and insurance company advice, and will update our PPE policy if needed.
GET IN TOUCH
While all of these measures may seem strict, they are there for a reason. It’s important to adhere to all of the new rules and regulations to protect your health, along with the health of your driving instructor and the other pupils that they teach. Our safety measures are subject to change in accordance to Government guidelines. If you want to find out more, then please do get in touch.
Drivers License.
According to the law, you must be seventeen years of age to drive a car, but if you want to ride a motorcycle or moped you only need to be sixteen. You can apply for your provisional licence provided you are at least 15 years and 9 months old.
To get your first provisional driving licence you need to be a resident of Great Britain, meet the minimum age requirement and meet the minimum eyesight requirement. If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the eyesight standard, they must be worn every time you drive, or you will be committing an offence.
It costs £43 to apply for a provisional driving licence from the www.gov.uk website (or £34 if you apply online). In order to complete your application you will need a valid UK passport or other form of identity, your National Insurance number and the addresses you lived at in the last three years. It usually takes between one and three weeks for provisional licences to arrive but will usually arrive sooner if you apply for it online.
Ways of applying
You can apply for a provisional licence online by visiting the Gov.UK website. Alternatively you can apply by completing the D1 application form which can be picked up at your local Post Office. If you are sending your application via the post, you will need to make sure you include original documentation that confirms your identity, a colour passport photograph, a cheque or postal order for £43 and the completed application. The address is DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD.
The two part driving license UK
If your provisional driving licence application is accepted you will be sent a green photo card. This photo card is important and will be needed in the future, so keep it in a safe place. You will need to take photo card of your driving licence to both your driving theory test and your practical test. Once you have passed your practical driving test, your green photo card will be sent off and replaced with a pink full driving licence photo card.
Rules for provisional drivers
Provisional drivers must have someone supervising them whilst they are driving. The person must sit in the front passenger seat and be fit to drive the vehicle. They should be aged over twenty one and have held a full driving licence for at last three years. Learners must display an ‘L’ plate on the front and back of their vehicles and they are forbidden from driving on a motorway.
The theory test
Before you can take your practical test you will need to pass the driving theory test. Once you are ready to take your theory test you can apply online. You will need your provisional driving licence number, an email address to get your booking confirmation and your debit or credit card. It costs £23 to book a car theory test on the www.gov.uk website.