Important news for LGV Instructors in Scotland – vocational lessons can restart on 26th April 2021.
The Scottish First Minister introduced an updated Strategic Framework for COVID-19 on 16 March. This included a timetable of when restrictions can start to be lifted in Scotland.
In the framework, Scottish Government has indicated that driving lessons and tests can restart from 26 April if areas currently in protection level 4 move to level 3 as planned. Following this, DVSA has been working with the Scottish Government to agree indicative restart dates for vocational training and tests.
You can read more about the measures on the Scottish Government’s website.
Confirmation of restart dates
DVSA have been working with Scottish Government and stakeholders to agree the indicative restart dates of vocational testing services.
The Scottish Government has indicated that lessons and tests can resume from 26th April, as the aim is for Scotland to move from protection level 4 to level 3 on that date. This is subject to confirmation, based on the prevalence of the virus.
Vocational lessons
The Scottish Government has announced that vocational lessons can restart on 26th April, subject to confirmation, based on the prevalence of the virus.
Vocational lessons must not take place in lockdown (level 4) areas until restrictions are lifted.
If you live or operate on an island not in lockdown (level 4) you can continue to provide lessons to any of your pupils as long as they do not live in an area in lockdown (level 4). You must not travel out of mainland Scotland to give training or to take a pupil for a test.
Driver CPC training should be delivered remotely wherever possible until restrictions in Scotland are lifted. However, where necessary, essential Driver CPC periodic training can be delivered by employers to their own employees using their own trainers on their own site.
DVSA have shared guidance for vocational; examiners with training associations and they have updated their good practice guidance for instructors.
Vocational and Driver CPC Mod 4 tests
Vocational and CPC Mod 4 tests will restart on 26th April, if areas return to protection level 3 as planned. It is planned that car and trailer lessons and tests will also restart on this date.
Until then, all vocational tests remain suspended in lockdown (level 4) areas.
As a result of travel restrictions DVSA examiners are unable to travel to areas in lower levels to take vocational tests. DVSA are suspending all tests booked in a Level 3 areas, where the examiner is coming from mainland Scotland to deliver the test, until the travel restrictions are lifted.
If you have booked a test for any of your pupils during this period of restrictions, it will be cancelled and you will be automatically refunded.
Theory tests
Theory tests will restart on 26 April, if areas return to protection level 3 as planned.
Until then. all theory tests remain suspended in lockdown areas (level 4).
Theory tests can currently go ahead on the isles of:
- Shetland
- Orkney
Candidates must not travel from areas in lockdown (level 4) to take a theory test.
DVSA will email anyone who has booked a theory test and is affected by this to let them know their theory test is on hold and they need to reschedule it by visiting https://www.gov.uk/change-theory-test.