Driving lessons and tests to restart in England

Learners can resume driving and riding lessons and tests from 4 July as the government gives the go-ahead to restart driving tests in a Covid secure way.

DVSA will begin a phased resumption of driving tests following the easing of restrictions in Step Three of the government’s plan to rebuild.

Theory tests will restart in England on Saturday 4 July. The tests will take place with social distancing measures in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

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.

Driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests are still suspended in Scotland and Wales, in line with guidance from the devolved administrations

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

“Driving lessons and tests are vital in helping people get to work and visit loved ones, and provide the skills for a lifetime of safe driving.

“As the country recovers from COVID-19 we can now open-up our services to help get the country moving again and I am very pleased to announce the restart of driving tests and lessons in a covid secure way.”

DVSA Chief Executive Gareth Llewellyn said: 

“It has been vital that lessons and tests only resume when safe to do so and in line with the government’s advice. I am pleased to announce the restart of lessons and theory tests in England from 4 July and car practical tests will restart from 22 July.

“Tests for critical workers have continued during the lockdown and I would like to thank all those instructors and examiners who have continued to work to help deliver tests for those who have done so much to help us during this terrible pandemic.” 

DVSA has continued to test critical workers during the lockdown and driving lessons have continued for these workers. 

The phased restart to testing:  

• 4 July – driving and riding lessons and Compulsory Basic Training to restart (England only)
• 4 July – theory test restarts for all candidates – including Approved Driving Instructor part 1 tests (England only)
• 6 July – expanding critical worker driving tests to more applicants (Great Britain)
• 6 July – trainer booker service for practical driving tests reopens to motorcycle trainers and vocational instructors(Trainers will only be able to book tests at tests centres in England)
• 13 July – motorcycle and vocational tests start (England only)

New candidates will be able to book driving tests once DVSA has carried out the tests reserved for critical workers and everyone with a suspended test has had the opportunity to choose a new time and date. DVSA will announce when the system opens to book tests in due course. 

DVSA is contacting anyone who has a scheduled test to let them know what will happen next. DVSA will then email them at a later date to invite them to book a test at a time and location that is convenient for them. Learners should talk to their instructors and arrange refresher lessons so they can practice the skills they need to prepare for their test.

Safety measures will be put in place to protect learners and examiners from COVID-19 and information on how to implement these measures will be published in due course.

Further information will be available on GOV.UK in due course

• Driving tests were suspended on 20 March to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 
• Theory Tests were suspended on 19 March to help stop the spread of COVID-19.