Driving Lessons Resume TODAY: Here’s What to Expect

By Blind Spot DriveBlog

Driving Lessons Resume TODAY: Here’s What to Expect

With driving lessons resuming today, both learners and instructors can finally get back on the road. However, given the ongoing concerns around COVID-19, new protocols have been established to ensure everyone’s safety. These measures, introduced during the first lockdown, have been maintained or updated to offer maximum protection for everyone involved.

Below is a complete breakdown of what you can expect before, during, and after your driving lesson, including precautions, essential items, and tips for safe learning on the road.

---

Outline

1. Introduction
   • Importance of resumed driving lessons and COVID-19 safety protocols.
2. What Will Happen Before Your Driving Lesson
   • Instructor communication regarding resumption.
   • License verification and pre-checks.
3. Safety Precautions Before the Lesson
   • COVID-19 symptom screening questions.
   • Government guidance links.
4. Preparing for Your Lesson
   • Clothing recommendations and hand hygiene.
   • Instructions on meeting the instructor.
5. Day of the Lesson: Key Safety Checks
   • Pre-lesson health checks.
   • License and eyesight verification.
6. Meeting Safety Standards in the Car
   • Surface disinfection inside and outside the vehicle.
   • Personal item storage protocols.
7. During the Driving Lesson
   • Adjustments to instruction and training tools.
   • Communication etiquette and safety measures.
8. Limits on Additional Passengers
   • No friends or family allowed during the lesson.
9. Avoiding Physical Contact and Face Touching
   • Reminders for learners to avoid face touching.
10. Handling Training Resources

• Use of visual aids without direct hand-offs.

11. Minimizing Face-to-Face Interaction

• Guidance on keeping face forward during discussions.

12. Payment and Transaction Procedures

• Electronic payment methods for reduced contact.

13. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines

• Optional mask and glove policies.

14. After the Driving Lesson

• Post-lesson hand hygiene and clothing care.

15. Conclusion

• The importance of compliance with safety measures.

16. FAQs

• Common questions about driving lessons and safety protocols.

---

Introduction

With driving lessons back on the schedule, it’s understandable if you feel both excited and a little anxious. Learning to drive is a crucial milestone, but with COVID-19 concerns still around, taking the right safety steps is essential. Today, we’ll walk you through the entire process—from pre-lesson preparations to post-lesson hygiene—to help you feel comfortable and confident as you get back behind the wheel.

---

What Will Happen Before Your Driving Lesson

Before your driving lesson day arrives, you’ll likely hear from your instructor. They might reach out via email or phone to confirm that lessons have resumed. During this conversation, they may ask you to provide a driving license check code, along with the last eight characters of your driver’s license number. This allows them to verify your license details before your lesson to ensure everything is up-to-date.

---

Safety Precautions Before the Lesson

Your instructor will also ask a few health-related questions to ensure everyone’s safety. You’ll be asked if you or anyone in your household has shown COVID-19 symptoms in the past week or if you’ve been in contact with someone showing symptoms within the last 14 days. If you answer yes to any of these questions, the lesson will be rescheduled to minimize health risks.

For official guidance on COVID-19 protocols, it’s helpful to stay updated with government advice, which will be provided by your instructor.

---

Preparing for Your Lesson

If you’re cleared to go ahead, your instructor will likely advise you on how to dress and prepare. Here’s what you need to do:

• Dress Appropriately: Wear clothes that cover as much of your skin as possible, especially your arms and legs. The car windows might need to be open for ventilation, so dress warmly if it’s chilly.
• Wash Your Hands: Clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds just before leaving home.
• Wear Disposable Gloves: This is optional, but if you prefer to use them, put them on only just before getting into the car.
• Meet at the Car: Instead of meeting at your door, your instructor will ask you to meet by the car itself. This is to ensure minimal contact before the lesson begins.

---

Day of the Lesson: Key Safety Checks

On the day of your lesson, expect a brief check-in chat with your instructor. They’ll confirm your health status and check if you’ve cleaned your hands or brought hand sanitizer. They might also ask you to show your license and perform a quick eyesight test by reading a nearby license plate from a distance.

If you’re a new learner, this initial check is particularly important, as it helps your instructor confirm your readiness to drive safely.

---

Meeting Safety Standards in the Car

To make sure the car is sanitized, your instructor will wipe down key surfaces before your lesson starts. Expect cleaned:

• Internal and external door handles
• Seat and head restraints
• Seatbelt components
• Steering wheel and gear lever
• Other high-contact areas like windows, mirror controls, and wiper stalks

This disinfection process happens before each lesson to maintain a clean and safe environment.

---

During the Driving Lesson

Adjustments to Instruction and Training Tools

To reduce contact, your instructor will hold up any visual aids instead of handing them directly to you. Discussions about driving scenarios will also happen with both of you facing forward to avoid direct face-to-face interaction.

Limits on Additional Passengers

Unfortunately, parents or friends won’t be able to join you in the car during lessons. This measure helps maintain focus and reduces any unnecessary contact.

Avoiding Physical Contact and Face Touching

Your instructor will remind you not to touch your face during the lesson. If contact does happen accidentally, both you and your instructor will use hand sanitizer to maintain hygiene.

Handling Training Resources

Any physical resources will be held by the instructor and shown to you without handoffs. This keeps the lesson safe while still providing clear guidance.

---

Minimizing Face-to-Face Interaction

To keep interactions safe, you and your instructor should avoid direct face-to-face communication while in the car. Discussions should be brief and done facing forward whenever possible.

---

Payment and Transaction Procedures

Wherever possible, it’s best to pay electronically rather than in cash. This eliminates the need for physical exchange, making the process faster and safer.

---

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines

Although face masks aren’t mandatory, it’s perfectly okay to ask your instructor to wear one if that makes you more comfortable. Similarly, disposable gloves can be provided by the instructor, but do let them know in advance if you have a latex allergy.

---

After the Driving Lesson

After each lesson, avoid handshakes and head home to wash your hands immediately. Some learners also prefer washing the clothes they wore during the lesson to further reduce any risk.

---

Conclusion

Following these safety measures may seem like a lot, but they’re designed to protect you and your instructor while ensuring a productive learning experience. Every step you take, from hygiene to minimal contact, helps make driving lessons safer and more enjoyable. Remember, these measures won’t last forever, but they are essential for now.

---

FAQs

1. Can I still learn to drive if I don’t want to wear gloves?
Yes, wearing gloves is optional. However, hand hygiene is essential, so wash or sanitize your hands before getting into the car.

2. Do I need to wear a mask during my lesson?
Mask-wearing is not mandatory, but it can be requested for peace of mind.

3. What happens if I feel sick before my lesson?
If you show any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has, your lesson will need to be rescheduled.

4. Can I pay with cash?
Electronic payment is preferred to reduce contact, but check with your instructor if you need to pay in cash.

5. Will I lose my lesson fee if it’s cancelled due to COVID-19?
Most instructors have flexible cancellation policies for COVID-related issues, but always confirm beforehand.

Main image by Pexels