Training Support Update – 4th November

England Lockdown – Driving Lessons & Tests
We have received the news that both driving lessons and training will be paused in England from Thursday 5th November to Wednesday 2nd December. Full information from the DVSA relating to this announcement can be found on the following page, which will be kept regularly updated: www.billplant.co.uk/blog/dvsa-confirm-driving-lessons-tests-suspended-due-second-covid-19-lockdown/

All trainees booked on courses will be notified and courses will be re-arranged at the earliest convenience.

Part 1, 2 and 3 Tests
If you have a test booked during the lockdown period, we advise that you do not cancel this and instead wait for the DVSA to contact you to re-arrange it with you directly. Once you have a new test date please can you update the training team via phone or email (01765 645023 or [email protected]).

PRN (personal reference number) applications are still delayed from the previous lockdown, with the DVSA currently processing applications in chronological order, we are currently seeing activation letters arrive around 4/6 weeks after applying.

PDI’s
For trainee driving instructors on a Pink Badge (PDI licence) who haven’t yet completed their twenty hours additional training, if your 3-month date falls within the lockdown period we will arrange your hours as soon as is possible once training resumes. In the first nationwide lockdown, the DVSA requested that the hours be completed as soon as possible once training resumes, however it is important to note we have not yet been given confirmation that this is the case in this instance. We fully expect it to be however and will confirm with you as soon as we know.

If your Pink Badge is expiring during the lockdown period or shortly after, we will send you an email explaining the extension process 3-4 weeks prior to your badge expiry date. These will not be automatically extended by the DVSA and you will need to submit an application to extend your badge at a cost of £140.00 (this cost is mandated by and paid to the DVSA).

If you are on a Pink badge and your theory test is due to expire during or shortly after lockdown and haven’t yet taken an attempt at your Part 3 test, the DVSA should contact you to arrange one attempt for you. If you have previously had an unsuccessful attempt at the part 3 test and your theory is due to expire you will also be allocated a date by the DVSA for a final attempt. This was the procedure during the previous lockdown, and we expect it to be the same again. As stated, as soon as we have definitive answers from the DVSA we will let you know.  Please update us with your test date as soon as you have one.

Wales and Scotland
Driving lessons are currently planned to restart in Wales from 9th November. The new (second) lockdown is for England only, so driving lessons and tests will remain unaffected in Scotland.

From everyone at Bill Plant Driving School, we wish you and your families well and good health.

Kind regards,

Sophie
Head of Training Support