In a car, it is impossible to exercise social distancing, so the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has laid down rules to minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19 by pupils, instructors, and examiners whilst on a lesson or test.
- You must tell your instructor immediately if you feel feverish, if you suddenly develop a cough or if you suddenly lose your sense of smell or taste.
- Before meeting your instructor for a lesson you should wash your hands with soap and water or use an anti-bacterial hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds.
- You should wear a face mask which should be worn so it covers your mouth and nose. Your instructor or examiner, when on the test, will do the same. If you wear glasses there is a possibility of them fogging up when you wear a mask. There are sprays that can be used, but I have not found them very beneficial. Wearing your glasses so that they go partly over the top of the mask is recommended, taping over the top of the mask with micropore tape is a technique that medical practitioners use sometimes, it stops your breath from going out through the top of the mask thus avoiding your lenses fogging up. I don’t know how effective this technique actually is. I use a mask with 2 valves and my sunglasses never mist up. When on the test, if your glasses keep misting up, the examiner could terminate the test on safety grounds, this could cause you to fail the test so you need to find a technique that works for you. You should not wear a transparent, visor type of face shield as it restricts the ability to turn your head, especially when reversing.
- The instructor may use a contactless thermometer to check that you are showing no signs of fever before your lesson starts.
- When on a lesson or test 2 windows must be left partly open. This can make the interior of the car quite cold so choose clothing that will allow you to keep warm. In milder weather, sleeveless shirts or tops can be worn but your legs should be fully covered.
- Between lessons, the instructor will use anti-bacterial wipes or sprays on all contact points, such as door handles, dashboard, steering wheel, gear, and handbrake levers, driver-operated switches, the seat and adjustment mechanism, also seat belt webbing, buckle and anchorage. On your test, the instructor will wipe down the contact points for the front passenger seat, where the examiner will sit.
- When on your test, to minimise the risk of passing COVID19 to each other, the examiner will direct you back to the test centre immediately that you make an error that would cause you to fail the test. This is to reduce the length of time you are sitting next to each other. To allow for social distancing you are not allowed to use the test centre waiting room, but must remain with the car, with both front doors open, until an examiner calls your name. Social distancing must be observed whilst we are in the test centre car park.
- After your test further cleansing will be carried out, by the instructor, before he drives you home.
- Once you are home, after a lesson or test, it is recommended that you have a shower or at least thoroughly wash your hands and wash your clothes at 60*. Whether you decide to do this is totally your decision to make.
We take the safety our customers, the examiners and ourselves very seriously.
At ELITE we do it properly.
