Driving Lessons During Coronavirus
On the 25th of June 2020, Pass Me Faster received confirmation via the DVSA, that as of the 4th of July 2020, driver and rider instruction can resume. It has also been confirmed that the theory test will also restart on the 4th of July. We’ve decided to restart on Monday 6th July. Please have a read through our Driving Lessons During Coronavirus and make sure you’re as safe as you possibly can be.
Also included in the government’s email was confirmation that car tests will resume from the 22nd of July onwards. The slight delay in restarting tests is to give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons before their exam.
This article is to help anyone about to start taking driving lessons during the pandemic.
Please feel free to contact us on Tel: 078381 66663 or via our contact page if you want to book a lesson. We’re also here to help with any questions or concerns about starting lessons during the pandemic.
Keeping Things Safe
As restrictions lift and driving lessons restart, instructors diaries will fill up fast. With a three month backlog of students waiting to start lessons, you may want to think about getting booked in early. Remember, not all instructors will be returning to work, there may be a shortage of driver trainers.
What We’re Doing To Help Keep Driving Lessons Safe During Coronavirus
After discussions with the governments Driving Standards Agency and also the NASP driving instructor association, we’ve come up with the following safety precautions. Please have a read through our list and make sure you’re as safe as possible during these uncertain times.
1. Declaration Of Symptoms
If you experience any symptoms, please let your driving instructor know as soon as possible. Your driving lesson will be canceled and rescheduled for another time. Your instructor will ask you before entering the car, if you have had any symptoms or whether you have been around anyone else with symptoms. For the interest of everyone’s safety please be honest with them. Symptoms of Coronavirus –
- Fever or chills
- Persistent dry cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- New loss of taste or smell
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Face Masks – Driving Lessons During Coronavirus
All driving instructors and students must wear a face mask at all times during lessons. The student must provide their own mask they feel comfortable using for a two-hour session. All students must have their masks on before entering the vehicle. The instructor will also have their mask on before the lesson starts.
If you forget to bring your mask we can’t continue with the lesson. If the instructor has turned up ready to start and the lesson can not go-ahead, you will be charged 50% of the cost for the session.
Gloves
All Pass Me Faster students will be provided with gloves before the lesson starts. The instructor will greet you at the beginning of the lesson outside the car to provide you with gloves. The gloves are comfortable and practical for operating the vehicle’s controls safely. Please let your instructor know if you are allergic to vinyl and other arrangements will be made.
Car Precautions – Windows, Seat Covers
Windows
To ensure that your driving lesson is as safe as possible during the pandemic, both passenger, and driver side windows will be left open during your session. Because most modern cars (windows up) are airtight, if the coronavirus is present, it has nowhere to go. Leaving the windows open disperses the virus quickly and vastly reduces the chances of cross-contamination.
A Harvard study suggests that opening the window a mere three inches is enough to disperse the virus. That’s a relief, three inches won’t have your hair looking like an explosion in a mattress factory.
Seat Covers
Before the start of each lesson, your instructor will fit a plastic cover to your seat. To help reduce the risk of cross-contamination from customer to customer via clothing. At the end of a session, your cover will be disposed of and a new one fitted for the next student.
Vehicle Disinfecting
After each session, the tuition vehicle will be wiped down and disinfected. A combination of anti-bacterial wipes and disinfectant spray will be used to clean all touchpoints –
- Door handles
- Steering wheel
- Control stalks
- All switches and buttons
- Sat Nav
- Central console
- Gear Lever
- Handbrake
- Cup holders
- Sun visors
- Seat belts
- Car key or start button
Thank You
Pass Me Faster would like to thank all our students for complying with the safety measures during the COVID – 19 pandemic. Let’s keep to these safety precautions and make sure we’re as safe as possible.
