From 29 January rules for all types of road users will be updated in The  Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and  riding horses. 

The latest changes to The Highway Code include:

• Giving people walking across and people cycling going straight ahead priority when turning in and out of junctions
• Leaving  at least 1.5 metres when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to  30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
• Passing people riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle at speeds under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space
• Allowing at least 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing a person who is walking in the road
• Encouraging  people driving vehicles to open their doors with the hand furthest from  the door, to help them look over their shoulder behind them to see  people cycling or walking nearby
• People  cycling may ride in the centre of the road or two abreast for their own  safety, whilst allowing others to overtake when it is safe for them to  do so

                  full details click here 

Most  of the changes reinforce existing good driving behaviour and do not  alter how we assess driving tests. But some of the changes will result  in a change in assessment.  

The  new rule H2 results in a change of assessment during a driving test.  This says: “At a junction you should give way to people crossing or  waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning”. 

People  driving or riding a motorcycle will need to take this new requirement  to give way to people walking into account as they plan their approach  to the junction.

We  are reminding our driving examiners that it will take time for  everyone, including people driving, riding, cycling, walking and horse  riding to adapt to the changes. Our examiners will take all of these  factors into account as some people may not be aware of the changes and  may react differently to the way novice drivers might be expecting.  

DVSA is lifting COVID-19 restrictions affecting driving and theory tests in England from Tuesday 1 March in line with the government announcement that English restrictions ended on 24 February.

The changes in England are:

• face coverings will be a personal choice for practical and theory test candidates and examiners

• driving tests will no longer end early unless the candidate’s driving is so poor it is a risk to their safety and that of other road users - in line with the pre-COVID-19 policy

• instructors and accompanying drivers are able to sit in on driving tests

• you no longer have to self isolate if you have COVID-19, but we encourage you to rearrange your test if you feel unwell for any reason

Face coverings

Your will have personal choice on whether you want to wear a face covering on your driving or theory test from 1 March in England.

Candidates will no longer have to let us know if they cannot wear a face covering in advance of their driving test from 1 March. This also applies to bookings you make on behalf of your pupils.

Our driving examiners can also make a personal choice to wear a face covering if they wish.

Face coverings continue to be a personal choice for you and your pupils during driving lessons in England.

Ending driving tests early

From 1 March, our driving examiners will no longer end tests early and they can continue after a candidate has committed a serious or dangerous fault to give them the full-test experience.

Tests will only be terminated early if the driving examiner assesses that the candidate’s driving is so poor it risks their safety and that of other road users. This is in line with our pre-COVID-19 policy.

ADIs sitting in on tests

We are lifting the restriction on ADIs and accompanying drivers to sit in on a driving test from 1 March.

This means that driving examiners will ask your pupil if they want someone to:

sit in the back of the car during the test

be with them for the result and feedback

ADI standards checks and ADI part 2 tests

Pupils testing positive for COVID-19

We encourage candidates testing positive for COVID-19 up to 5 days before their driving test not to attend their test to reduce the spread of the virus.

You should email us at customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk with the subject title ‘COVID-19 short notice cancellation’ to rearrange your test.

You will need to include the following information in the email:

your driving licence number

your driving test booking reference number

We will then contact you to help rearrange the test. Your will not have to pay again.

Taking rapid lateral flow tests

Until 1 April, we continue to ask your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test before their driving test if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. We are asking that they do this on the day of their driving test, before they leave home.

Find out more about taking a rapid lateral flow test before taking a driving test.

Thank you for your support

We know this has been a very challenging period for the driver and rider training industry.

The changes we have made to our services have had an impact across the industry but you have shown resilience, supported our colleagues and responded positively to our engagement.

The government has further considered the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the validity period of theory test certificates.

After careful consideration and in response to a recent petition the  government has decided NOT to extend theory test certificates for road  safety reasons.  

Pupils with tests booked whose theory test certificate has expired

If  your pupil’s driving test is suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions,  and their theory test certificate has expired or expires, we will cancel  and refund the cost of their practical test.

Your pupil will then need to rebook and pass their theory test before they can sit a practical test.

Your pupil must have a valid theory test certificate before they can book their practical test, and on the day they take it.

If your pupil’s theory test expires before the next available practical test date

If your pupil’s theory test certificate has been put on hold because it is due to expire, they can either:

• cancel their booking and get a full refund
• look  on the booking system for a cancellation at their original test centre  or book an available test appointment at a different test centre on a  date before their theory test expires – in line with any current travel  restrictions

If  your pupil does not rebook or cancel their practical test before their  theory test certificate expires, their practical test booking with be  cancelled and refunded.

Your  pupils can book a new theory test up to 6 months before their current  theory test certificate expires, or at any time after it has expired.

If your pupil wants to request a refund 

You  pupils can request a refund for the cost of their practical test  through the online cancellation service at  https://www.gov.uk/cancel-driving-test

They need to include their name and 2 of the following identifiers in their email:

• their driving licence number
• their theory test pass certificate number
• their driving test booking reference

 The government has considered the impact of the coronavirus  pandemic on the validity period of theory test certificates. After  careful consideration, the government has decided NOT TO EXTEND THEORY  TEST CERTIFICATES not due to the impact on road safety. If your  certificate has expired DVSA can't reschedule your  driving test that  was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic because yout theory test  certificate has expired.  DVSA will cancel your driving test booking.   You’ll get a full refund for your driving test.  

Driving  test centre waiting rooms are closed to help prevent the spread of  coronavirus, but the toilets are available on request.

You must wear a face covering if you want to enter the test centre to use the toilet, unless there's a good reason you cannot wear one.