Closed petition Exempt driving tests and lessons from COVID-19 restrictions

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

• 23 July 2021

  Related activity

  MPs question Government Ministers, officials, and the PCS union on the work of the DVLA

  On Wednesday 21 July, MPs on the Transport Committee held an evidence session to consider the difficulties facing the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), including the current backlog of cases awaiting processing.

  Watch the session: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/e13d8e44-6479-459a-89ab-be2a147eef4f
  Read the transcript: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/2613/pdf/

  During the session, the Committee questioned:

  • Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, PCS
  • Sarah Evans, DVLA Branch Chair, PCS Union
  • Julie Lennard, Chief Executive Officer, DVLA
  • Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Minister for Roads, Buses and Places, Department for Transport

  This session is the Committee’s second evidence session with the DVLA this year. MPs spoke to the Chief Executive following an outbreak of covid-19 at DVLA headquarters in Swansea.

  What is the Transport Committee?

  The Transport Committee is a cross-party group of MPs appointed by the House of Commons to scrutinise the work of the Department for Transport, the Government department responsible for the English transport network.

  The Department is also responsible for a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have not been devolved to the Scottish Government, Welsh Government, or Northern Ireland Executive.

  Find out more about the Transport Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/153/transport-committee/
  Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://twitter.com/CommonsTrans

• 6 May 2021

  Petition closed

• 12 January 2021

  Government responded to this petition

  The Government is doing whatever is necessary to deal with COVID-19. To stop the spread of the virus and keep everyone safe, routine practical driving lessons and tests are currently suspended.

  Read the response in full

  The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for us all. Our absolute priority right now is on tackling the spread of COVID-19. Following the announcement of national lockdown restrictions, all routine practical driving lessons and tests have been suspended. It is not possible to socially distance when in a confined space, such as a car, and in such close proximity to the instructor or examiner. The safety of examiners, instructors and candidates must always remain our priority.

  We fully appreciate the challenges this will cause learners and instructors but the Prime Minister, on the advice of scientific advisors, was clear that we need to take action to protect the NHS and save lives.

  The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has rescheduled affected tests by moving them to the next available test dates, and will inform candidates. It will increase test availability when it is safe to do so.

  We recognise these restrictions have a significant impact on jobs and the economy. We have provided financial support for those whose livelihoods are impacted, such as approved driving instructors. The Self Employment Income Support Scheme’s third grant covered November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500. A fourth grant covering February to April will be available in due course.

  Department for Transport

• 3 January 2021

  Government will respond to this petition

  This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it.

• 6 November 2020

  Petition published

  This petition can now be signed.

  If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

  If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

  This petition will stay open until 6 May 2021.