Driving Tests During Coronavirus – What To Expect
As of Friday 21st of August, the DVSA reopened its online practical driving test booking system for everybody. All at once, 7 million people dived into their mobile telephones to snap up a test date. There’s no surprise then that for millions of people, they were unsuccessful. It’s also not a surprise that the DVSA booking system crashed. It probably wasn’t equipped to handle the number of online bookings nearly equivalent to the total population of Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester combined all at once. Driving tests during coronavirus – what to expect has a little look at driving tests after the pandemic. That’s if you managed to get a test booked in !!
Tel : 07838166663 to book driving lessons.
Booking Your Practical Driving Test
You can book your driving test if you have a provisional license and you have passed the theory test. At the moment, due to the high level of demand, the booking system is closed. It will reopen on the 7th of September so get ready!! But don’t worry, if you’re unlucky again the DVSA is making another 375,000 driving test appointments available as of the 14th of September.
Here’s our guide to passing the theory test first time.
Have your provisional license at the ready when you go to book your driving test. If you do get through and choose a day and time you will only have 15 minutes to enter your details. This is long enough if you have everything ready.
What To Expect On The Day of Your Driving Test
Due to the Coronavirus, things are a little different from what they used to be on the day of your test. Driving Tests During Coronavirus has a look at what to expect when you go for your test during the pandemic.
Staggered Start Times
One of the changes to the practical driving test is staggered starting times. This reduces the number of people arriving at the test center at the same time. We found that this works better than the usual method. With only one candidate starting their test at a time instead of 6 or 7, its less of a mad dash at the beginning.
Closed Waiting Rooms
To keep with social distancing guidelines the test center waiting rooms are closed. However, the test candidate is allowed to use the test center toilet facilities but the driving instructor must not. The door will be locked and you have to ring the bell or give the door a knock. An examiner will come and let you in.
If you don’t need to use the toilet you should wait in the car and the examiner will come out to greet you to start the test.
Turn Up 5 Minutes Before Your Test
Usually, you would be asked to get to the test centre 10 minutes before your test starts but this has been reduced to 5 minutes.
PPE For Test Candidate and Examiner
You will be required to wear a face mask (unless you have a valid reason not to). When the examiner checks your provisional license they will ask you to remove your mask briefly to check your identity. This will be done outside the car.
The examiner will wear a face mask and protective gloves during the test.
You will also be asked to sign a document saying your car is insured for the test. Your instructor should issue with a pen when you arrive at the test centre.
Pre Test Wipe Down
The examiner will disinfect your instructor’s car at the start of the test. This could take 5 minutes or so.
No Bringing Your Driving Instructor
Unfortunately, you cannot bring your instructor along for the ride. Reducing the number of people in the car reduces the risk of spreading the virus. The instructor will also not be allowed to get in the car at the end of the test but must listen to the debrief from outside the car.
If You Fail It’s Straight Back To The Test Centre
If you fail your test you will be brought straight back to the test centre. Usually, you would stay out for the full 40 minutes unless the examiner felt unsafe.
When Not To Go To The Test Centre
You must not come to the test centre if –
- You have been contacted by the NHS track and trace system.
- Anyone you live with has Coronavirus symptoms.
- You have entered the UK within the last 14 days. (There may be some exemptions to this in very limited situations).
Hopefully now yo know what to expect on the day of your driving test. Going for your driving test can be a nerve wracking experiance but knowing what to expect can help sooth things a little. If you really want to sot up why not have a read through our Passing Your Driving Test The Essential Guide.
If you have any Coronavirus related driving test wquetions or stories please feel free to fill in the comment boxes below.
