Driving tests in England to restart from 22 July

Learners should check their knowledge and skills are up to standard as driving tests are set to resume in England on 22 July.

With driving tests beginning again on Wednesday 22 July, DVSA is urging learners to speak to their instructor to make sure they are still well prepared and up to test standard before rebooking their driving test.

Following the suspension of the driving test and lessons in March, driving lessons resumed on 4 July to give learners the chance to practice before the driving test restarts.

DVSA Chief driving Examiner Mark Winn said:

“I know many learners are keen to take their driving test but it is vital they have the right skills and knowledge to help them through a lifetime of safe driving before attempting it.

“Anyone who is rebooking or taking a test should make sure they’ve had enough practice with a professional driving instructor and are ready.”

“Learners should practice driving on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions so they are well prepared for driving independently.”  

Driving lessons and tests resumed in a phased approach in England from 4 July. DVSA has continued to test critical workers,.

The phased restart to testing:  

• 4 July – driving and riding lessons and Compulsory Basic Training to restart (England only)
• 4 July – theory test restarts for all candidates – including Approved Driving Instructor part 1 tests (England only)
• 6 July – expanding critical worker driving tests to more applicants (Great Britain)
• 6 July – trainer booker service for practical driving tests reopens to motorcycle trainers and vocational instructors (trainers will only be able to book tests at tests centres in England)
• 13 July – motorcycle and vocational tests start (England only)
• 22 July – Driving tests resume for candidates whose tests were put on hold.

Those learners whose tests were cancelled due to the pandemic are being invited to rebook a test first. Once this has been completed and we have tested critical workers DVSA will open the booking service to the general public.

Safety measures have been put in place to protect learners and examiners from COVID-19 and DVSA has published information on gov.uk so candidates know what to expect.

Further information

• Driving tests were suspended on 20 March to help stop the spread of COVID-19 
• theory tests were suspended on 19 March to help stop the spread of COVID-19
• driving lessons in England resumed on 4 July
• theory tests resumed in England on 4 July and will resume in Scotland from 22 July.

Car driving tests will restart in Wales on Monday 17 August 2020.

Driving lessons and tests remain suspended in Scotland. The Scottish Government will make an announcement on driving lessons on 30 July. Once it is clear when lessons are resuming there will be an announcement of when tests will start.

More information on the resumption of DVSA services in England, Scotland and Wales is available on gov.uk

For more information contact DVSA press office pressoffice@dvsa.gov.uk