The health and safety of our pupils, instructors and staff is our number one priority. As we move forward, we’re implementing new measures for before, during and after your driving lesson. At all times we ask that you follow these guidelines to the best of your ability. These guidelines are subject to alterations.
Prior to your Driving Lesson
Your Driving Instructor will contact you at least 24 hours before your lesson to state that they have not been displaying any COVID-19 symptoms and then to ask you to confirm that you also have not been displaying the symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 7 days, or been in contact with someone who has displayed the COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days. If either of these are the case then the driving lesson should not take place and can be rescheduled for when both criteria are met.
We politely ask that you wear clothing that is suitable and covers as much of your arms and legs as possible. Please do not bring any unnecessary personal items to your lesson (such as your mobile phone or food and drink).
Please wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds) immediately before leaving for your lesson.
Your parents, partners and/or family members are not be permitted to sit in on your lesson.
Electronic payments for the lesson are strongly encouraged. Please inform your Instructor if you are paying via cash and sanitise your hands after transferring any cash.
Personal Protective Equipment and Car Cleaning
For all driving lessons, we advise all our Driving Instructors wear disposable gloves and a disposable mask (a visor or a mask with a vent if they wear glasses).
Do You Have To Wear A Mask For Driving Lessons
We recommend that you wear your own disposable mask for your driving lesson. Your Driving Instructor may provide you with one, in the case that you do not have one.
When wearing a face covering or mask, make sure it covers your face from the bridge of your nose down to your chin. You can learn more about face coverings, including how to make one at home, on this government advice page.
Your Driving Instructor will ensure that their Bill Plant Driving School tuition vehicle is kept clean and has been sanitised prior to starting every lesson with antibacterial wipes and/or spray (70%+ alcohol).
They will pay particular attention to wipe clean the steering wheel, the horn, gear lever, parking brake lever, stalks, interior and exterior door handles, window and mirror controls, seat controls, seatbelts, head restraints, car keys, and any training resources.
At the start of your lesson
Sadly, we will not be able to shake your hand at the beginning, or end, of the lesson as normal. We will greet you, maintaining a safe distance, and welcome you to the vehicle.
We are still happy to meet your parents and or family member before the lesson but again we will need to retain a safe distance and will not shake hands.
During your driving lesson
Your Driving Instructor will provide ventilation during teaching by having the windows partially down. They will avoid using air conditioning during these times and if they do have to use it, they will not set it to the recirculate option.
Hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes will be available throughout your lesson and your Instructor will have a bin bag to dispose of them.
The pupil and instructor should limit face-to-face contact and instead talk facing forwards when discussing certain subjects.
Visual training aids will be held up, but not passed to you.
If either the pupil or Instructor develops COVID-19 symptoms, the driving lesson will end as soon as possible and you will return to your home. Both parties will then follow the necessary relevant medical advice published here – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Cancellation policy
If you need to cancel your lesson, at short notice, due to COVID-19 symptoms please inform your Driving Instructor directly as soon as possible.