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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Allow learner drivers to go out and drive with people from their household.

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The Government should dhange the rules for the lockdown to allow learner drivers to go out and drive with people from their household.

Many young people do not want to use public transport to travel to their education so want to be driving as soon as possible.

10,924 signatures

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100,000

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  • Petition closed

  • Government responded to this petition

    Whilst Government guidance is clear that people should be staying at home, pupils can practise driving with members of their household or support bubble as part of an essential journey.

    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.

    Government guidance is very clear that people should be staying at home to save lives and protect the NHS unless the trip is essential. A journey solely for driver learning purposes is not considered essential.

    However, current guidance states that pupils can practice driving with members of their household or support bubble as part of travel for work, education or other essential journeys. This position is the same in England, Scotland and Wales.

    We fully appreciate the challenges this will cause learners but we need to take action to protect the NHS and save lives.

    Department for Transport

  • Government will respond to this petition

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

  • 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 12 May 2021.