By Key workers in England and Wales will be able to take driving tests during lockdown using a mobile testing service.
On 2 February the DVSA announced that it was introducing limited testing for emergency workers. A mobile service will offer practical and theory tests for NHS, emergency service and council staff who need to drive for work and who respond to threats to life as part of their job.
The service is only available to learner drivers in a limited number of roles who need to both drive as part of their job and respond to “threats to life” as part of their job. These roles are
- NHS health and social care workers
- the emergency services
- local council staff
The tests will be carried out by examiners who have volunteered to carry on working during lockdown.
The previous two lockdowns led to a huge backlogs of tests, with hundreds of thousands of learners struggling to book new appointments after their original bookings were cancelled.
Theory passes are valid for two years but due to cancellations and problems securing new test appointments some learners have seen their certificates expire before they were able to sit the practical test.
As with testing, lessons are expected to remain on hold until the current lockdown restrictions are lifted.
You can practise driving with a member of your household or bubble but only as part a trip for an essential purpose such as for shopping, work or education.
