Driving instructors in Southport have welcomed the news that they can begin taking lessons again in July.
Driving lessons were among activities which were banned by the Government when the Coronavirus lockdown came into force in March.
But the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now announced that learners can resume driving lessons and motorcycle training in England from Saturday 4 July.
Theory tests will restart in England on Saturday 4 July, with social distancing measures in place.
Car driving tests will restart in England on Wednesday 22 July, which will give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons and practice before taking their test.
John Wood, owner of John Wood School Of Motoring in Southport, has been a driving instructor for 10 years – but says neither he nor his students have ever experienced anything like the Coronavirus lockdown.
He said: “I am looking forward to starting up again. I will restart my lessons on July 6.
“My learners have been messaging me saying they can’t wait to get going again. They are all really happy to be back, and I am looking forward to getting going.
“I am looking to put lots of safety measures in place, such as wearing a visor, driving with windows open, wearing disposable gloves.
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“There will be a longer time between lessons now to allow me time to thoroughly disinfect the car between each lesson.
“I will only offer one-hour slots at the moment, so that people will have less time in the car, but it will also allow more people to enjoy lessons too.
“I am taking on new pupils, but will be giving priority to welcoming back people who were taking driving lessons with me before lockdown and had already had their tests booked.
“I have had an email to say that their driving tests are being automatically rebooked on a staggered basis.
“Some of our students may have been able to have a drive out with their parents during lockdown, but others may not have been in a car for four months. It is going to be quite hard for some to get used to it all again.
“But this is all new for everyone, including me. Everyone is learning as we go along.
“I am looking forward to taking out again, and I am looking forward to receiving more guidance from the Government over the next couple of weeks.”
Alex Doyle, owner of The Green Cat Driving School in Southport, said: “I’m looking forward to getting back to work and seeing all my students again.
“I’ve made sure that all the necessary precautions have been put in place to ensure the safety of learners and myself during lessons.”
5th Gear Driving School in Southport said: “It’s official we can now start to teach from the 4th July with theory test all resuming. We are also starting trailer training. We at 5th Gear are all super excited to start teaching again and seeing you all.”
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will write to driving instructors later setting out plans to restart driving tests and resume lessons safely.
Instructors are being urged to “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
Pupils will also be asked to wash their hands before each lesson and wear a face covering.
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