As the nation's third lockdown continues, the AA Driving School is calling for driving lessons and tests to restart for all key workers.
Robert Cowell, AA Driving School interim managing director, said: “The government should be giving all key workers the flexibility to learn to drive as they are already making so many sacrifices to keep the country moving."
Prompted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) announcement that a “limited service” will resume, the motoring organisation conducted a snap poll and found that more than half of drivers disagreed with the government’s decision to stop driving lessons and tests for all key workers in lockdown in England.
Lessons and tests in England stopped for key workers at the start of the current national lockdown, despite allowing them in the first national lockdown last year.
Robert added: “People who can’t drive have faced huge challenges to get to work during the pandemic as capacity on public transport is reduced.
"Driving instructors adapted quickly to ensure the safety of pupils was paramount during the pandemic and key worker lessons remain as safe as they were in the first national lockdown.”
Learners remain unable to book driving tests themselves but the DVSA announced last week that there will be a “limited theory and practical test service” for key workers from specific employers.
Driving tests will be limited to those who work for NHS health and social care, the emergency services and local councils. Key workers whose employer has booked them a driving test will be able to have lessons with a qualified instructor.
Learners who do not have a confirmed ‘mobile emergency worker test’ booking cannot take lessons and many key workers with other employers will be left out entirely it is understood.
