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9th April 2021
Just to say we are back to work on Monday 12th April, we are all looking forward to being back on the road and doing what we do best, teaching.
16th March 2021
Were are waiting for confirmation of a restart date of 12th April 2021, Our instructors will be in touch very soon if they haven’t already done so. Please send us a message if you haven’t heard anything to remind us as we are trying to give a priority to those who had their test dates moved from the lockdown period to April. Stay Safe and well All.
15th July 2020
As of the 27th July Welsh Government and the DVSA have announced that Driving Instructors are able to resume with driving instruction/training. We will be following the guidelines set out by health officials and the governing bodies.
These are the main guide lines that we will be following to ensure that you, the learner and the instructor remain as safe as possible as currently there is no Covid -19 vaccination at present.
The instructor will be alert and make their own risk assessments as to the health and wellbeing of our clients/learners, families, and friends and must be our primary consideration as we stage our return to work.
When you feel ready to start your lessons/training or make a return to them we ask you to also be alert.
The instructor will consider:-
If the instructor, clients or learners have any symptoms, fall into the higher risk groups or have partners, relatives or people living with fall in to this higher risk group.
As a reminder the main symptoms of COVID 19 described by the government are (but not exclusively):
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fever or high temperature
- A loss of taste or smell
Again as a reminder of people at high risk (but not exclusively):
- Are having treatment for cancer
- Have had an organ transplant
- Have been told by their doctor that they have a Lung condition
- Have a condition or taking medicine that that makes them of high risk of getting infections
- Are pregnant
- Have a serious heart condition
- You have had a letter from your GP
- Are 70 or older
- Have diabetes
- Kidney or liver disease
- A condition affecting the brain or nerves
- Are very obese with a vmi of 40 or above.
If you're at moderate risk please follow the government guidelines and advice.
If you are unsure please contact your local GP for further advice.
Before collecting you, the client/learner the instructor will
- Consider whether they have had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days or have been in contact with someone who has within the last 14 days
- Before we collect you for a lesson call or text you and check if you have had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days or if you know anyone or have been in contact with anyone that is showing symptoms or has been doing so within the last 14 days
- Remind you of the Government guidance on washing your hands for at least 20 seconds immediately before leaving the house for your lesson. If you want to wear disposable gloves, to put them on just before getting into the car and remind you that they should not touch your face
- Ask you to wear suitable clothing providing as much covering as is reasonably possible
- On collection assess whether you are well enough to start the lesson. The instructor will do this outside the car but close to the car at a 2 metre distance The instructor may well have a face shield on at this point for protection. If the instructor is not 100% happy they will not start the lesson/training and the session will be cancelled and once fully recovered the lessons can be restarted, this will be completed before each lesson
- Ask if you have washed your hands and they may offer you hand gel or sanitiser to use prior to entering the vehicle
- The instructor will have just cleaned their hands via washing with soap or using a hand sanitiser and avoid touching their face
- Will explain they will not shake hands, share visual aids, a pen etc so that they can minimise contact for safety reasons
- Between lessons will have cleaned down door handles inside and out, windows and mirror controls, seat adjusters and head restraints, seatbelt and its connection, gear lever, steering wheel, indicator and wiper stalks, car keys and training resources
- Where appropriate use seat covers for added protection and disinfect the seats prior.
- Place windows down as much as possible before and during the lesson to allow for ventilation, therefore it may be wise to wear warm cloths depending on weather conditions and air conditioning will probably be switched off, if on the heating controls will not be set to recirculate air
- Not allow a parent, guardian or friend to sat in the car even if they have done so before
- Carry out a licence check electronically online how to do this can be found here once the check has been made video call be made and your licence can be held up to video for a check
- Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ask that you wear the same a face mask is a must, a shield is not advisable to be worn in the car but can be worn on entering or leaving the vehicle and if required gloves
- Try to face directly forward as opposed to each other, when and if explanations need to be carried out the may ask you to stand outside the vehicle
- Give clear instructions and if for safety reasons an intervention of the controls has to be made these controls will be cleaned as soon as it's safe to do so along with a possibility of touched hands a sanitiser would be used.
- Will guide you on the latest precautions, information regarding tests, test centres and examiners advice
- Ask you to use a NHS track and trace system
If you have any specific questions or concerns about continuing or starting with your driving lessons please get in contact with your instructor who will be able to help you further.
4th July 2020 update Latest update on driving lessons in Wales is that the are still suspended. England are set to restart lessons and testing from 4th July but not Wales or Scotland. For further help and advice on this from the DVSA government website click on this link for England and here for Wales
Advice on Coronavirus
Apparently the risk of catching coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently rated low according to the government. However, it is important to be aware of the official guidance for businesses, which we have outlined below.
If you are worried about symptoms of the virus please call NHS on 111 visit the NHS Website page for further help and guidance
Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.
The signs and symptoms of COVID-19
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fever
What to do if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19
If the person has not been to specified areas in the last 14 days, then normal practice should continue.
If someone becomes unwell and has travelled to China or other affected countries, the unwell person should be removed to an area which is at least two metres away from other people. If possible find a room or area where they can be isolated behind a closed door. If it is possible to open a window, do so for ventilation.
The individual who is unwell should call NHS 111 from their mobile, or 999 if an emergency, and explain which country they have returned from in the last 14 days and outline their current symptoms.
Preventing spread of infection
Public Health England (PHE) recommends that the following general cold and flu precautions are taken to help prevent people from catching and spreading COVID-19:
Take a look at the following websites for further guidance by clicking here
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
- Place used tissues into a bin straight away
- Wash your hands with soap and water often for approximately 20 seconds – use a hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available a guidance sheet for from the NHS can be found here
- Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
What we are trying to do to assist with this virus as driving instructors is
- We are following the guidelines given by NHS and the Government including Business Wales
- After each person has driven one of our cars we wipe all surfaces that has been touched with recommended cleaners
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