Guidance
Coronavirus: driving tests
Declare if you cannot wear a face covering
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.
Check back or sign up for email alerts to find out when you can book a new driving test.
When you come for your driving test
You must make sure the inside of the vehicle is cleaned before the test. The examiner will also use an antiviral wipe to clean the passenger door and anything they’ll need to touch inside the vehicle.
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
When you arrange your test
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.
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.
Find out more about how the car driving test works.
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
- you have returned to the UK in the last 14 days, unless you travelled from certain countries or territories (there’s a different list of countries if you live in Scotland), or are in other very limited situations
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).
For help please refer to theKath Bools Automatic – practical driving test information page.
To book an automatic driving lesson with Kath Bools Automatic call 07855 428145