COVID-19 - Restarting Driver and Rider Testing: Update

The DVSA advised that they were restarting testing and training in a phased approach. Here's an update on some of the main areas.

Theory Test Availability

Most of the theory test centres in England and Scotland have been reopened. Due to social distancing measures, test centres are offering fewer tests than normal.  The DVSA are working with Pearson VUE to open as many of the remaining theory test centres as possible to increase the number of available appointments, and to reduce waiting times. In some cases, the centres are shared buildings, and the DVSA are waiting for the main occupant to reopen them. 

Driving Test Availability

The DVSA have opened 274 out of 307 driving centres in England.

Reopening the Remaining Test Centres

The DVSA are working hard to reopen the remaining driving test centres, they need to finish carrying out:

• health and safety checks

• water checks

• PPE distribution checks

At some test centres, the landlord needs to carry out some checks before reopening.

Emailing Candidates to Arrange their Test

Over 210,000 driving tests were put on hold due to coronavirus. So far, the DVSA have invited over 67,000 people to choose a new appointment. It might take several weeks to get their email, depending on when the test was originally scheduled.

Unfortunately, some candidates whose tests were due from 16 March to 20 March did not get an email when the DVSA started to invite people to rearrange their test. They're working to fix this as quickly as possible. If this was you and have not heard from them already, you will get an email from them later this week.

The DVSA have published information about what they'll do if the email address of a learner given to them does not work.

The DVSA customer service centre cannot tell when you'll get their email, so please do not call them as it will delay critical workers getting through.

Emergency Tests for Critical Workers

Lots of critical workers applied for an emergency driving test. Some had tests booked before lockdown, while others were requests for new bookings.

If they had a test booked before lockdown, the DVSA have emailed them to choose a new test appointment.

If it was a new booking, the DVSA need them to pay for the test. As this cannot be done online at the moment, they're inviting these people (in batches) to call them so they can pay and we can book their test.

If you have applied for an emergency test in the last few weeks, the DVSA will have emailed you to let you know they'll be in touch soon with more information.

Change a Driving Test After it's been Arranged

You will need to rearrange your test if:

• you or someone they live with has coronavirus symptoms

• you've been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that they’ve been in contact with a person who has coronavirus

• you've entered the UK in the last 14 days (unless they arrived from a country on the ‘travel corridor’ list)

You can now rearrange your test in these situations online at www.gov.uk/change-driving-test. Only people who we've emailed to arrange their test can use this service for now.

More Information

Check GOV.UK for the latest about:

• theory tests

• driving tests

• instructor guidance