COVID-19 The New Normal

Consider:

• if you have had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days
• 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
• in light of the increased transmissability of the Omicron varient, I would ask that you complete a lateral flow test before, and on the day of, your lesson
• remember to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, in line with Government guidance, immediately before leaving the house for your lesson
• if you want to wear disposable gloves, put them on just before getting into the car

Make sure to wear clothing that is suitable and covers as much of you as possible, including arms and legs.

It is imperative that both myself and my pupil feel safe in their surroundings. To limit the exposure to any infection I shall only conduct lessons in an environment that I am certain is complying with current sterilisation advice. Therefore all lessons shall be conducted in my car, although pupils shall retain the right to take their Practical Driving Test in their own vehicle should they choose. In this situation an alternative supervising driver will be required to accompany the pupil to the test.

Once I arrive to collect you I will again assess whether you are well enough to start the lesson.

If not 100% happy with your condition I may take your temperature using a non-contact infrared thermometer. If still not 100% happy with your condition we will need to cancel until you have recovered fully. You will not be charged but this may mean a 10 day gap before your next lesson.

If you come to the lesson with clear symptoms the lesson must not go ahead. If you, or I, become unwell or start to cough continuously during the lesson, the lesson will be stopped. In either of these scenarios the normal government advice should be followed regarding self-isolation and testing and tracing. Full details can be found at the NHS Inform Coronavirus (COVID-19): Contact tracing website.

I will:

• Confirm that you have washed your hands or will have hand sanitizer ready for you
• Not shake your hand, share visual aids, pens etc. with you and will be minimising any physical contact with you for both our safety
• Confirm that between lessons I have cleaned down door handles inside and out, windows and mirror controls, seat and head restraints, seatbelt and its connection, gear lever, steering wheel, indicator and wiper stalks, car keys and all training resources
• Remind you that the windows will be down as much as possible during the lesson to allow for ventilation. You may want to wrap up warm as it might be cooler in the car than usual
• Avoid using the air conditioning if possible however, if it is used, won't set it to recirculate

COVID-19 New Students

New students will need their licence checked electronically at GOV.UK.

I will need:

• the last 8 characters of your driving licence and
• the check code (The code will be valid for 21 days and I can only use the code once).

On your first lesson I will ask you to hold the licence up so I can check it. I won't touch or take the licence from you.

It should need no reminding that your own health & safety is primarily your own responsibility. You should, where possible, provide your own PPE to ensure your own confidence and satisfaction in your equipment.

In light of the increased transmissability of the Omicron varient, I would ask that you complete a lateral flow test before, and on the day of, your lesson.

Wearing a face covering

You should bring and wear a face covering when you come for your lesson, unless you have a good reason not to. This includes if:

• you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
• putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress
• you need to remove it during your lesson to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others

From 2 November 2020, instructors and pupils must wear face coverings during driving lessons and practice sessions.

You can be fined £60 if you do not wear a face covering during a driving lesson in Scotland. This will be reduced to £30 if you pay within 28 days.

You will need to remove your face covering briefly on your first lesson so that I can check your ID.

If required, however, I shall provide certain items of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

These will include:

• Hand Sanitiser
• Antibacterial Wipes or Spray
• Disposable Bin Bags
• Face masks (or Visors*)
• Disposable Seat Covers

It is essential that the PPE equipment you choose does not impede your ability to control the vehicle or communicate.

* Official DVSA and government advice is that visors should not be worn as they increase the risk of injury in the event of an airbag being deployed. If one is worn it should be in addition to a face mask and not as an alternative. When attending for test examiners will not prevent you from wearing a visor but they will only conduct the test if you are also wearing a face mask, unless you are in an exemption group.

Preferred method of payment, will be by bank transfer, or mobile banking, prior to or at the start of the lesson. I shall provide my bank details on request.

In the event of a cash payment (no cheques) please have the correct amount available for the lesson. Visits to banks / cash machines will be made during the lesson and not after. Acceptable coins are strictly £1 or 50p. I will not accept anything smaller.

As they have been found to be a major source of spreading infection I would advise pupils not to bring their mobile phones to the lesson. If a mobile phone must be carried then it should be set to silent and concealed in a pocket or bag. House keys and coins should also be concealed in a pocket or bag for the same reason.

Visual aids and any training resources will be held up and not passed between the two of us to hold or touch.

We should try to avoid directly facing each other when discussing scenarios as it is safer to face forwards in the vehicle as we cannot maintain being 2 metres apart.

If I give a demonstration drive, or have to drive you to the training area, I will wipe down the controls before and after the drive.

Wherever possible electronic payments should be made. Handling cash will only be considered if it is the only option available.

After we have finished the lesson I will need to repeat some of the same processes that I did at the start of the lesson.

I will again wipe down all the controls before driving you home, if required.

These conditions will be continually reviewed. I reserve the right to refuse tuition to, or cancel a lesson for, anyone who I feel may be showing any symptoms of Covid-19, Flu or even common cold like symptoms. It is again stressed that you, the pupil, have ultimate responsibility for your own health & safety.