Jul 1, 20202 min read

GUIDANCE FOR TAKING YOUR THEORY TEST

Theory tests will restart in England on Saturday 4 July 2020 with new social distancing and safety precautions in place.

Keeping you safe at the test centre

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has introduced social distancing measures and safety precautions at test centres.

These include:

using floor markings to keep people 2 metres apart
spacing workstations and chairs so you’re 2 metres away from other people
extra cleaning of the test centres
using protective transparent screens at the reception desk
providing hand sanitiser for you to use when you arrive at the test centre, during your test and when you leave
cleaning workstations, including computers and headphones, before every test

Staff will wear a face covering (unless there’s a medical reason that it’s not recommended for them) and gloves.

You have to come into the test centre alone. This is to help with social distancing.

Wear a face covering when you come for your test if you can.

You will need to remove it briefly so the test centre staff can check your ID.

Do not use a face covering if you may find it difficult to manage, for example, you have a respiratory condition.

You must not come for your theory test if:

you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms
you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has coronavirus
you have entered or returned to the UK in the last 14 days, except in very limited situations

You have to stay at home (self-isolate).

Change your theory test appointment if you need to self-isolate on the day of your theory test.

You can do this free of charge if you’re self-isolating, including if you do it at short notice (within 3 clear working days of the test).

If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, you should have received a letter telling you that you’re in this group or have been told by your GP.

DVSA recommends that you change your theory test appointment to after 1 August 2020, when shielding will be paused.

The changes to the theory test that were planned to be introduced on 14 April 2020 have not gone ahead. This is because of the coronavirus outbreak.

DVSA will make these changes to the theory test as soon as possible. In the meantime, the theory test will continue to work in the same way as it did before April.

You can apply for an emergency test if you urgently need a test because you’re classed as a critical worker. This includes if you work in: