Instructor Support Update – 20th December

In the latest Government updates, The Prime Minister has announced the changes for England with new Tier 4 restrictions – similar to England’s second national lockdown.

These Tier four restrictions are to apply in London (all 32 boroughs and the City of London) and the East of England (Bedford, Central Bedford, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough, Hertfordshire, Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring).

It will also apply in the South East currently in tier three, covering Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings.

In Scotland, COVID restrictions will be placed under the tightest restrictions from Boxing Day. In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that the country will be placed under lockdown from midnight (tonight).

Driving lessons to be postponed in Tier 4 areas in England, across Scotland & Wales.
Whilst we await confirmation from the DVSA, we will take the unprecedented step to postpone driving lessons and driving instructor training in Tier 4 areas in England and Wales with immediate effect. Driving lessons and driving instructor training will be postponed from Boxing Day in Scotland.

Franchise fee assistance
For those in these affected areas we are reducing the franchise fee to £65 per week.

Next week’s direct debit will already have been processed by the banks. Therefore, the following weeks’ direct debits will be £65 until driving lessons resume.

The balance will be deferred, and a payment plan put in place to collect the unpaid elements of the franchise fee.

You do not need to change or cancel anything, nor contact Instructor Support or the Finance Department for this.

Instructor Support
Should you need any guidance other than what has been communicated please contact your Relationship Manager in the Instructor Support Team on 01765 643374. Please note the Team and I are extremely busy dealing with a high volume of questions. Please bear with us, we will get back to every enquiry. 

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a challenging time for everyone, and we want to do all we can to support our instructors, staff and trainees.

From everyone at Bill Plant Driving School, stay safe.

Kind regards


Tom Hixon
Head of Instructor Support