DVSA COVID-19 Update
How driving tests will work
Thursday 16 July 2020 12.00
DVSA has published guidance about what you should expect when you take theory tests and driving tests.
Sending information to the NHS Test and Trace service
DVSA will share your details with the relevant NHS service if a DVSA member of staff you had close contact with both:
- develops coronavirus symptoms within 48 hours of your driving test
- tests positive for coronavirus after their symptoms developed.
In Scotland full details can be found at the NHS Inform Coronavirus (COVID-19): Contact tracing website.
Arrange your driving test appointment
If your car driving test was cancelled due to coronavirus, you were 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 after the date tests restart where you live. Do not go for your test on that date.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will email you again to ask you to go online and choose your preferred date and time for your test.
These emails will start to be sent:
- from 16 July 2020 in England
- in batches, in order of when tests should have originally taken place
It might take several weeks for you to get your email, depending on when your test was originally scheduled.
This page will be updated when a date is confirmed for sending emails to people who live in Scotland.
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 one booked before lockdown.
Driving tests will be carried out for people who had their test cancelled because of coronavirus as a priority.
When you come for your driving test
Do not arrive for your driving test more than 5 minutes before your appointment time.
The driving test centre waiting room will be closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, but the toilets will be available on request.
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 covering 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 you 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.
Find out how to wear and make a cloth face covering.
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 or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms
- you've been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you've been in contact with a person who has coronavirus
- if you have returned to the UK in the last 14 days, unless you travelled from certain countries or territories, or are in other very limited situations
You have to stay at home (self-isolate).
Change your theory test appointment if you need to self-isolate on the day of your theory 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 extremely 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.
