Thousands of aspiring drivers across the United Kingdom will be celebrating today as the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency announced that practical tests, theory tests and lessons can resume in the next two weeks.

All driving lessons and tests were suspended at the start of 2021, when the UK government announced the national lockdown, the move came after what had already been a stop-start 2020 for learner drivers. The DVSA had seen their website crash last year when they made a similar announcement following the first lockdown.

The DVSA has announced that tests can resume on 22 April, with theory tests and lessons beginning 10 days earlier on 12 April.

It’s estimated that many learner drivers who have not registered for a test yet could face a minimum of a five-month wait to get their test as the DVSA looks to clear a huge backlog.

“The announcement that learners will be able to restart driving lessons and book tests is another step towards resuming some ‘normality’,” said Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at confused.com. “While demand is high for lessons and tests and many are keen to get back in the driving seat, for some, it must be daunting, having spent time away from the wheel.

“Taking a driving test, be it for the first or fifth time, is always nerve-wracking, and some learners might have lost confidence during the lockdown period. This is why lessons have been planned to resume first. These extra lessons will hopefully give new drivers the boost they need to pass with flying colours.”

The new conditions for the practical test will see drivers have to complete the assessment whilst wearing a face mask, and if a serious or dangerous fault takes place that will result in an immediate end to the test. Further guidelines state that at least one window will need to be open on each side of the vehicle.

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