Bexhill driving instructor calls for extension to theory certificates due to Covid-19 disruptions

Driving lessons and practical tests have been cancelled across the country due to the national lockdown and the restrictions around sharing a car with anyone outside a single household.

Last year, they were cancelled between March and July – the first national lockdown – and again in November when the country locked down for a second time.

Thousands of learner drivers are now faced with the prospect of seeing their theory test certificates – which are valid for two years – expire while they are unable to book a test.

Don Harris, who lives in Bexhill and has been teaching people to drive for almost 40 years, said three of his 21 pupils will be forced to resit their theory tests as their certificates expire at the end of January.

He has joined a petition which urges the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority) to call on the government to extend theory test certificates which were due to expire in 2020 or 2021.

Don said: “I’m not suggesting all theory test certificates should be extended, that would be silly. But I think those who are currently unable to book their tests should be supported.

“Each attempt will cost people £23. I have lots of pupils who really struggle with the theory side but when they sit in the car, they are a natural. After ten hours, they’re better drivers than me but just lack the experience. These people often go on to drive lorries and play a major role in feeding the people of this country. But right now, they could end up sitting their tests three, four, five times – spending about £100 – and then seeing it expire because they can’t complete their practical.”

Don said the waiting list for a driving test in Hastings is somewhere around seven to eight weeks and will continue to grow the longer the lockdown remains in place.

This added delay will see more theory test certificates expire for thousands of learner drivers across the country.

Don added: “The driving examiners at the DVSA have been great and have supported us driving instructors while we’ve struggled to find an income through the lockdowns.

“We now need the DVSA to raise it with the government. It has to go through Parliament because the two-year limit is statute.

“GCSE exams don’t need extending, MOTs were given a six month extension. These learner drivers need help now.”