Will Your Driving Test go ahead in Tier 4

by | Dec 30, 2020 | COVID-19, Driving Lessons, Driving Tips, Theory Tests | 0 comments

Can I have driving lessons and a practical car test in Tier 4?

All types of driving tests and lessons are suspended in Tier 4 areas. You must not travel out of a Tier 4 area to take your lessons or test somewhere else.

Theory Tests in Tier 4

Theory tests in Tier 4 will be suspended but you could use the time to get some study in. Driving Skills Academy recommends using the Theory Test Pro app and website to study. Sign up to our mailing or waiting list and we will upgrade your Theory Test Pro account to the paid for version for free.

Driving Lessons in Tier 4

Driving Skills Academy is based in Northampton which has just been announced will be in Tier 4. This means that we have to suspend Driving Lessons in this area, we do understand how disappointing this is but please do read on for some hints and tip on what you can do.

Practical Car Driving Tests in Tier 4

If you had a test booked that would be during the Tier 4 restrictions then the test will not be going ahead and the DVSA will contact you orare your driving instructor to advise of next steps.

What driving can I do in Tier 4?

If you live in Tier 4 you must not leave or be outside of your home or garden except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. A reasonable excuse includes: Work and volunteering,Essential activities, Fulfilling legal obligations, Education and childcare

Based on the above you could get private practise driving in so long as you are going shopping for essentials, picking up medications, going to formal education or work 

What do you need for private practise?

  • Provisional licence
  • Anyone you practise your driving with (without paying them) must:

be over 21, be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you want to learn in, for example they must have a manual car licence if they’re supervising you in a manual car have had their full driving licence for 3 years (from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein)

  • The car you learn in must display ‘L’ plates.
  • You can drive at any time, day and night.
  • You CANNOT drive on motorways as you would need to be with an approved driving instructor and the car fitted with dual controls

You need your own Learner Insurance as a learner driver if you’re practising in a car you own. Your family member or friend will usually be covered on this. If you’re practising in someone else’s car, you need to make sure their insurance policy covers you as a learner driver. Some insurance companies require the person supervising you to be over 25 years old.If you’re looking for learner / new driver insurance can check out our page with some great discounts and deals here https://drivingskillsacademy.co.uk/learner-driver-insurance

When you do go out, set yourself some goals / targets that you want to achieve and make sure to record your practising so that you can share this with your driving instructor too. You can find a template for this here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/record-your-private-practice-when-youre-learning-to-drive

If you are supervising a learner and would like some tips, help or advice please do get in touch. 

You might also want to purchase a rear view mirror for yourself, I’ve tried quite a few of these with varying degrees of success, this is the best rear view mirror I have found so far https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H6YKWHV/ref=as_sl_pc_as_ss_li_til?tag=httpchrisbamp-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=6f352fe8458267557e4d1d72a244c324&creativeASIN=B07H6YKWHV

It’s worth remembering that supervising a learner can be stressful especially as you are not in control. Try and make things easier by planning a route, if you know where you are going then you can avoid any potential obstacles like temporary road blocks or changes to road layout. That will enable you to focus on giving clear instructions and allowing you both to focus on the tasks / objectives you are working on. As the supervising driver you are the one legally responsible for the safety of the driver and other road users. This means you are effectively in control of the vehicle, so the same rules apply to you as if you were driving the car. So no mobile phone use, drinking and ensure you are wearing any glasses or contact lenses you are required to wear to drive. Stay safe and have fun

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