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Why am i struggling to find a driving instructor

2/10/2021

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​If you have turned 17 over the last 6months or decided to finally get that licence you may be finding it difficult to get a driving instructor.  So, why is this.  WE are only allowed to teach NHS workers or people who work with life threatened people who have booked an emergency test and have proof of this.  Unfortunately, things are very backed up with all of the lockdowns last year.  We all still have students who started pre COVID-19, that's over a year ago, and still have not been able to get to a driving test.  Many had test booked and then their test was cancelled and re booked however with restrictions many didn't have access to practice and had to move their test back and have now been caught up in Lockdown two and three.  

How will we get things back to normal!  Well, if there is a normal!  We hope to start lessons in March or as soon as the lockdown is relaxed.  We wait to find out more when Boris sets out his 'road map' of coming out of lockdown week commencing 22nd February. 

At KAR we have, where possible, re booked our students into test in March and April which will result in available slots coming available in late April/May.  It is also worth remembering that sometimes without warning the students we have stop lessons due to health or financial reasons which can also free up a slot for you.  Most of our students have a two hour lesson on the same day and time each week.   We would advise you contact us and get yourself onto our waiting list, you may be far down the list but if, for example, we get a slot come available on a Monday morning and everyone above you on the list isn't available at that time then you would move to the top of the list and get this slot. 

In normal times our waiting list would normally be six weeks so if you have a birthday coming up this year it is worth getting onto our list.  There are three of us so depending on where you live in Exeter and your availability to how soon we can get you started.  

Whilst you are waiting, we would recommend you get started on your theory and again as soon as lockdown is lifted book the next available Theory test.  You can buy the highway code online or find it on many apps.  We would recommend the Official DVSA Theory app or the Driving Theory 4 in 1 kit for cars and bikes both are £4.99.

So drop us a text  or call on 07980 019474, message through Facebook - KAR Driving Instructor or  go to the contact form on our web site and get yourself on the list.
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Covid 19 - How will we be keeping you safe

7/6/2020

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At KAR we will be following the NASP guidelines for COVID 19 and driver training.  As you can appreciate it is impossible to social distance in the car so if you are starting driving lessons you need to appreciate that there is a risk.  Every student and instructor needs to not only consider their health but the people they live with and are in a bubble with.  We also need to make you aware that if we are contacted by track and trace, we will have to give your name and contact number to them.

When we arrive to collect you we will once again check that you are still well.  Unfortunately we will not be able to shake your hand as we need to minimise contact and we are not able to offer parents/friends to sit in on lessons as we need to keep the risk to a minimum. 

What we will do to keep you safe 
Before you enter the car we will make sure it is cleaned with anti virus products.  Everything from the steering wheel, seats, controls, door handle inside and out, seat belt, keys etc will be cleaned.  We will be wearing a face covering to protect you.  They will only be worn for a maximum of 2 lessons or less if they become damp.  During the lesson we will pull over at regular intervals and exit the car so that we can take our masks off and take a drink if needed.   We will keep the car well ventilated with windows open.  If you have been contacted by Track and Trace and asked to self isolate then please let us know immediately. 
We will contact you on the morning of your lesson or the evening before to ask if you are still fit and well and don't have any of the COVID 19 symptoms :-

A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) 
A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
A loss of taste or smell

What do you need to do?
We are asking all of our students to wear a face covering to protect ourselves.  You need to make sure that it fits correctly and doesn't fall down during the lesson along with it being clean and not worn for so long that it has become damp.  If you wear glasses we ask that you test it out to make sure your glasses don't steam up.  If you have a medical condition that stops you from being able to ware a mask please let us know.  We ask you to wash your hands just before the lesson and we may ask you to use anti bac once entering the car.  Due to the windows being open during your lesson you may wish to bring some warmer clothes.  
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We will contact you 72 hours before your lesson to confirm you still want to attend, we will then contact you just before your lesson to check that you are have not had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days or if they know anyone or have been in contact with anyone that is showing symptoms or has been doing so within the last 14 days. If the lesson needs to be cancel then you will not be charged during this time.  

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COVID 19 Driving Lessons and tests

6/15/2020

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Due to Covid-19 Driving Lessons are suspended due to the 2 metre distancing rule.  The industry is waiting on an update from the government and DVSA however, we hope to start back with hairdressers from 4th July wearing PPE if we get to stage 3.

You may have seen several driving instructors out on the road during lockdown, some of these may just be carrying out an essential trip or their daily exercise as many of us use our instructor cars on a daily, personal basis.  The other reason could be that the driving instructor is delivering a lesson to a key worker and they will have a badge to confirm they are allowed to do this during the lockdown.

When we are able to come back to work our main duty is to keep our student, their family, us and our family's safe along with protecting the NHS from a second wave.  As the R rate decreases and confidence grows in our ability to take lessons however we all need to stay alert and stick to the rules.  Track and trace will be very important for us as we will fall into the category of closer than 2 metres for more than 15 minutes so it will be important that both parties follow strict procedures if notified.  Both the student and instructor will have to wear masks, as on public transport and the car will be sanitised before anyone enters it.  Hands will need to be washed before the lesson and you may be asked to use AntiBac once in the car.  We do not advise you wear gloves as they can be slippery but ask you to avoid touching your face.

It has been a difficult time for the industry and for many pupils waiting to take their tests.  Every week the Theory Tests seem to get pushed back by another week.  There is no confirmed date that they will open however if the government change the social distancing to 1 metre then hopefully things can start to get back to normal.  Here is their latest update from the DVSA:-

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 
Mon 15/06/2020 17:13
Important information about theory tests from 22 June to 3 July
All theory tests rescheduled
All theory tests in England, Scotland and Wales from 22 June up to and including 3 July have been rescheduled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
We will update you with a start date for theory testing as soon as we are able.

What DVSA are doing
We are emailing anyone with a test booked from 22 June up to and including 3 July to let them know it has been rescheduled.
Practical Tests  -  The DVSA have just put out an e-mail to say that they have put all Practical tests 'on hold'  apart from key workers and they will be asking people in the backlog to log on to choose a preferred date and time to take it.  This will be done in batches based on when your test was booked in.  You will be contacted by the DVSA or your instructor letting you know when you can do this.  

We have opened our diaries for Driving Lessons from 6th July however we will need to reach stage 3 and get confirmation from the Government and the DVSA that we can start up again.  All existing students should stay in contact with their instructor and any new students wanting to start. It is worth getting you name onto our list a.s.a.p. as we are going to be very busy dealing with the backlog.   Call Katie on 07980 019474.     
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    Author

    Katie Russell
    ​KAR Driving Instructor, Exeter based driving school 

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