Scottish Government announces date for driving lessons to resume

The Scottish Government has given an indicted date for driving lessons to resume across the country.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an updated timetable out of lockdown on 16 March, with more detail about when certain businesses and services can resume operations.

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Until now, there has been no clear guidance on when professional driving lessons and driving tests will be allowed to restart. However, as part of the new timetable, it has been confirmed that lessons with driving instructors will be allowed to resume from 26 April.

That is the date from which the government hopes to return to a modified levels system, similar to the one imposed before the full lockdown. Under it, most parts of the country are expected to return to level 3 restrictions, with most businesses and services being allowed to reopen.

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Professional driving instruction has been on hold across the country since the start of the year. Learners have only been allowed to take lessons from members of their own households and only as part of other essential journeys, such as travelling for grocery shopping.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has yet to make an announcement on when driving tests can resume. In England, it has confirmed a 10-day window between the resumption of lessons and theory tests and the start date for practical testing. This has been left to allow learners time to refresh their skills ahead of taking their test and a similar pattern could be followed in Scotland.

The agency previously confirmed that tests would only resume in parts of the country which where under level 3 or lower restrictions.

When lessons restart instructors and students will have to follow protocols to minimise the risk of virus transmission. These will include wearing face coverings in the car, leaving windows open during lessons and regular cleaning of key touch points around the vehicle.