New motorists will once again be able to take to the roads as driving lessons and driving tests resume in April as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.
No lessons with an instructor or driving tests have been permitted during 2021 so far as part of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. However, from April 12, those looking for their independence on the roads will have the opportunity once again.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) yesterday confirmed that from April 12, driving lessons with instructors and all theory tests will be permitted, along with motorcycle, lorry, minibus and trailer tests at the same time.
Then from April 22, all driving tests will be permitted – the extension date likely giving drivers time to refresh their skills ahead of their test.
These dates only apply to England and Wales, though, with Scotland not set to resume driving lessons until April 26 and driving tests until May 6 ‘at the earliest’. No dates have yet been given for Northern Ireland, though its government is set to review current restrictions on April 15.
Demand for both is expected to rocket according to driving schools, especially since a recent investigation by the PA news agency found that the number of young people with driving licences had fallen to the lowest number since records began.
The data showed that just 2.97 people in Britain aged between 16 and 25 currently hold a full licence – down from 3.32 million in March 2020, and 3.42 million in November 2012.
