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Driving Test changes due to covid


Arrange your driving test appointment

If your car driving test was cancelled due to coronavirus, you will have be sent an email with a new date and time for your test.

The new date you were given will not go ahead. This includes if the new date you were given was from 22 July. Do not go for your test on that date.


The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will email you again soon to ask you to go online and choose your preferred date and time for your test.


When you arrange your test, you’ll need to say if there’s a good reason you cannot wear a face covering when you take your test.



Booking a new driving test

You cannot currently book a new driving test if you did not have a test booked before lockdown.


Driving tests will be carried out for people who had their test cancelled because of coronavirus as a priority.


Check back or sign up for email alerts to find out when you can book a new driving test.


When you come for y


our driving test

Do not arrive for your driving test more than 5 minutes before your appointment time.

The driving test centre waiting room and toilets will be closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, you’ll be able to use the toilet if you have a disability or medical condition, or you’re pregnant.


Keeping you safe when you take your test


DVSA has introduced social distancing measures and safety precautions.

These include:

  • driving examiners wearing face coverings - they might also choose to wear gloves and use disposable seat covers

  • limiting the number of people arriving for a driving test at the same time

  • not allowing your driving instructor or supervising driver to sit in the back during your test

Wearing a face covering

You must bring and wear a face co


vering when you come for your test, unless you have a good reason not to. This includes if:

  • you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering

  • putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress

  • you need to remove it during your test to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others

You need to say if you have a good reason not to wear a face covering when you arrange your test.


Your test will be cancelled if y


ou come for your test without a face covering and you did not declare you could not wear one when you arranged your test.


You will need to remove your face covering briefly so your driving examiner can check your ID.


During your driving test

If you have a problem with your face covering during the test, your driving examiner will ask you to stop so you can adjust it. Your


driving examiner will end the test early if it becomes a safety issue.


If you make a mistake

You can carry on if you make a mistake during your driving test.

If you make a serious or dangerous fault, which means you’ve failed, your driving examiner will direct you back to the driving test centre, where the test will end. This is to minimise the amount of time you need to spend in the vehicle.


At the end of your test

Your driving examiner will:

  • ask you to get out of your vehicle before they give you your test result feedback

  • ask if you want your instructor to come over to listen to the feedback if it’s safe to do so



This is to minimise the amount of time you need to spend in the vehicle.


When you must not come for your test

You must not come for your driving test if:

You have to stay at home (self-isolate).


Change your driving test appointment if you need to self-isolate on the day of your driving test.

You can do this free of charge if you’re self-isolating, including if you do it at short notice (within 3 clear working days of the test).


If you’re classed as clinically extr


emely vulnerable from coronavirus

If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, you should have received a letter telling you that you’re in this group or have been told by your GP.

DVSA recommends that you take your driving test after 1 August 2020, when shielding will be paused.


Apply for an emergency driving test if you’re a critical worker

You can apply for an emergency test if you urgently need a test because you’re classed as a critical worker. This includes if you work in:

  • health and social care

  • education and childcare

  • key public services

  • local and national government

  • food and other necessary goods

  • public safety and national security

  • transport

  • utilities, communication and financial services


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