Driving lessons will resume from 12 April ten days before tests can go ahead

DRIVING lessons will be able to take place in England almost two weeks before tests resume to endure road users were prepared, according to the DVSA.

By Luke Chillingsworth, Cars Reporter

DVLA explain the practical driving test

An official statement from the Drivers and Vehicle Standards Agency confirmed lessons will resume in just over four weeks on 12 April. Tests will then resume ten days later on 22 April as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

In a statement to Express.co.uk, the DVSA said allowing lessons to resume first would “allow candidates time to practise”.

They said extra lessons will ensure road users are “well prepared” for "driving independently” before their exams.

They said: “The planned dates to restart car driving lessons is Monday 12 April, with tests due to restart 10 days later on Thursday 22 April.

“This will allow candidates time to practise on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions so they’re well prepared for driving independently before coming for [their] test.”

READ MORE: New driving lesson proposals could see learners forced to practice for 12 months

driving lesson uk resume date

Driving lessons will resume from 12 April (Image: Getty)

driving lesson uk test

Lessons can start earlier to ensure road users are 'prepared' (Image: Getty)

Last month, the DVSA confirmed driving and theory tests would resume no earlier than 12 April in line with the Government’s roadmap announcement.

This has led many driving schools to actively plan for a 12 April restart over the past month.

However, some road users will be able to start lessons even earlier as part of a phased return.

The DVSA confirmed motorcycle lessons with instructors, bus driving lessons and tests and tractor driving will resume form 29 March.

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This will be followed by car and lorry driving lessons, motorcycle tests and theory tests from 12 April before car tests go ahead 10 days later.

However, it is expected many learner drivers will still miss out on their tests and be forced to reschedule.

One road user said they were worried their rescheduled test booked for April 14th would still be cancelled as this was scheduled days before test restrictions are set to be lifted.

Replying to the tweet, the DVSA almost confirmed this would be the case, adding they would “email candidates” with details on rescheduled tests.

They said: “If driving tests are set to restart on 22 April depending on the outcome of the government review of roadmap measures on 5 April. We'll email candidates with tests booked before 22 April to let them know their test will be rescheduled.”

Another learner driver claimed their test has been rescheduled three times due to the pandemic.

They said it has been almost a year since they wanted to book their test and demanded answers as to why tests were not all delayed.

Another road user claimed those who had a test booked between 12 April and 22 April should have “priority for rebooking”.

driving test resume dvsa

Tests will resume 10 days later on 22 April (Image: Getty)

They argued it was “not a requirement” to have professional driving lessons and many will be ready to take their tests from 12 April without any extra tuition.

Weeks ago, Ian Mcintosh, CEO of Red Driving School demanded lessons resumed earlier than tests to prepare drivers. 

He had called for lessons to resume at the start of April as long as this was in a Covid secure way. 

He said: "Most learner drivers won’t have sat behind the wheel of a car since the beginning of January, so it’s vital they are given the opportunity to prepare fairly in advance

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