Restarting driver and rider testing: update


Restarting driver and rider testing: update

We let you know that we were restarting testing and training in a phased approach. Here's an update on some of the main areas.


Theory test availability

Theory test centre with social distancing measures

We've reopened most of our theory test centres in England and Scotland. 

We will reopen centres in Wales for the general public on 3 August 2020.
 
Due to social distancing measures, test centres are offering fewer tests than normal. 
 
We're 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 for your pupils. In some cases, the centres are shared buildings, and we're waiting for the main occupant to reopen them. 


Driving test availability

Driving test centre

We have opened 274 out of 307 driving centres in England.

31 out of 35 test centres in Wales are due to open on 17 August.

Test centres in Scotland remain closed, except to critical workers. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 advice from the Scottish Government.

Reopening the remaining test centres

We're working hard to reopen the remaining driving test centres. We need to finish carrying out:

  • health and safety checks
  • water checks
  • PPE distribution checks

At some test centres, we still need the landlord to carry out some checks before we can reopen.


Emailing candidates to arrange their test

A man sitting down, using a mobile phone

Over 210,000 driving tests were put on hold due to coronavirus. So far, we've invited over 67,000 people to choose a new appointment. 

It might take several weeks for your pupil to get their email, depending on when their test was originally scheduled.

Unfortunately, some candidates whose tests were due from 16 March to 20 March did not get an email when we started to invite people to rearrange their test. We're working to fix this as quickly as possible. If they have not heard from us already, they will get an email from us later this week.

We've published information about what we'll do if the email address your pupil gave us does not work.

Our customer service centre cannot tell your pupils when they'll get their email, so please encourage them not to call us as it will delay critical workers getting through.


Emergency tests for critical workers

Telephone

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, we've emailed them to choose a new test appointment.

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

If your pupil has applied for an emergency test in the last few weeks, we've emailed them to let them know we'll be in touch soon with more information.


Change a driving test after it's been arranged

Change your driving test

Your pupils will need to rearrange their test if:

  • they or someone they live with has coronavirus symptoms
  • they've been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that they’ve been in contact with a person who has coronavirus
  • they entered the UK in the last 14 days (unless they arrived from a country on the ‘travel corridor’ list)

They can now rearrange their 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: