Instructor Support Update – 16th June

Response to DVSA communication
Yesterday the DVSA emailed Instructors about restarting driving instruction and tests. If you haven’t read this, please follow this link.

Firstly, we welcome the communication from the DVSA and look forward to further updates in the coming weeks to best advise our Pupils, Trainers and yourselves.

In essence we see their message has reiterated that all driving lessons remain suspended with the exception of key workers.

“Driving instruction and tests will only restart when the government is confident that the assessment of risk warrants it, subject to the 5 tests and further detailed scientific advice.”

Letter from DVSA Chief Executive to approved driving instructors about restarting driving instruction and tests. Published 15 June 2020

However, a new key message detailed to Driving Instructors was the process of rescheduling driving tests booked prior to COVID-19 and putting all new driving test bookings on hold in the meantime.

Many in the Industry, including Bill Plant Driving School, are aiming for 6th July as a provisional date for when driving lessons can resume and this communication doesn’t necessarily change that.

We understand that there will be many changes that need to be made to make driving lessons and tests safe for the pupils, driving instructors and examiners, which could vary across England, Scotland and Wales. We will be issuing guidance on in-car hygiene, PPE advice and new lesson procedures within the next week.

We will continue to pay close attention to regional Lockdown Reviews across England (expected either Friday 19th June or next week), Scotland (Friday 19th June) and Wales (Friday 19th June).

Return to work planning
For those that haven’t already updated your Instructor Details, we require you to complete the link below to efficiency update many of your details within our Booking System. We will need your response to understand your pupil requirements and allocate new bookings for when lessons recommence.

Update your Instructor details here – https://forms.gle/MM5w2ZteSY54xFYQ7

If you have any questions about this, please speak to your Relationship Manager.

Parkathon – Parking App launched!
We are delighted to launch our first mobile game, Parkathon. Parkathon can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, is completely free and contains no in-app purchases.

The app is a perfect pupil engagement tool which will engage the whole family with the Bill Plant Driving School brand.

To download the app, please visit www.billplant.co.uk/parkathon or search “Parkathon” in the Apple App Store. The Android version to be released later this month and will be available on the Google Play Store.

Please find below a few marketing assets to promote the game via your social media platforms.

Instructor Support
As ever, we are here for you, please contact your Relationship Manager in the Instructor Support Team on 01765 643374 should you need any assistance.

We continue to do all we can to support our Instructors, Trainers, Trainees, Staff and Pupils.

Kind regards


Tom Hixon
Head of Instructor Support