Freeway Driving School

Freeway Driving School GUERNSEY`S NO 1 DRIVING SCHOOL

07781158 189

All Students

The following measures are in place as part of our mitigations against COVID-19. Any candidate who is feeling unwell or due to the following measures wishes to postpone their test will be given a free online token to rebook their theory or practical test to a future date of their choice.
car driving test, because it is not physically possible to ensure adequate social distancing, all candidates are required to undertake a Lateral Flow Test ahead of attending their test (to be taken on the day of the test) and the test showing a negative result must be presented to the Examiner. Also, candidates are required to wear a mask/face covering during the course of the test, unless they can provide an exemption card, sunflower lanyard/badge or evidence of a medical condition or disability. Candidates should familiarise themselves with driving in a face mask before the test day. Failure to provide medical proof or non-compliance to wear a mask may result in the test not going ahead and result in the loss of the booking fee. The Examiner will stop the test to allow the candidate to adjust the mask however should it become a safety issue the test may then be terminated. In addition, the candidate/instructor should ensure that door handles and driving controls have been wiped down before the test commences and instructors/accompanying drivers will not be permitted in the vehicle on the test.

Steve

The CCA has today reviewed the current impact of rising COVID-19 case numbers on the delivery of essential services and has strongly urged the Bailiwick community to increase their uptake of sensible mitigations to help slow the spread of the virus.

Current data shows there are 2,574 known active COVID-19 cases. There are likely more cases within the community that are either unknown or have not been reported. The most vulnerable members of our community are also approaching six months since they received booster, which means their immunity against the virus is waning.

We really need the community to support the following measures if we’re going to protect essential services:
• Face coverings strongly recommended in enclosed indoor spaces
• Businesses encouraged to adopt continuity plans to enable increased home-working where possible
• Stay at home if you are unwell or have COVID-19
• Take a lateral flow test if you have symptoms, but also before visiting vulnerable people or attending an event
• Test daily for seven days if you are a household contact of COVID-19 and consider minimising your contacts as far as possible
• Ensure indoor spaces are well-ventilated by opening windows
• Respect people’s personal space and social distance where possible
• Everyone needs to follow good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette

Read more at https://bit.ly/35YaKuI

All Students

As you are all aware from tomorrow Guernsey moves into a restriction free environment regarding the dropping of mandatory testing /travel/isolation rulings etc.

DVL will be making further reductions in requirements for the safe conduct of the practical driving tests as follows:

LFT’s will still be required to be presented by the candidates prior to the test.

Instructors should be carrying your own LFT tests twice weekly and as long as these are showing as clear you will be able to accompany the candidate on test if requested from tomorrow.

Any private tests that are accompanied by parents/friends can also sit in on the test but must produce a negative LFT along with the candidate prior to the test start.

Masks will not be mandatory but if the candidate wishes to wear them they can.

Best practice needs to be maintained by the Instructor in ensuring the vehicle is wiped down prior to the test, if any candidate informs you that they are feeling unwell DVL will issue a payment token for a test booking further on when they have recovered.

Steve

All Students

As you are all aware Covid restrictions are being lifted further hopefully toward whatever the new “normal” is.

Currently DVL have not been informed as to the removal of precautions on test so until further notice:

All candidates will still need to present an LFT carried out prior to attending for test.

No accompanied Instructor/friend permitted on test

Masks must still be worn in the Theory suite

As soon as we hear of any further developments I will let you know.

Steve

All students

Further to last nights briefing I can confirm the following:

With immediate effect DVL will be reverting back to pre-omicron requirements for the test service.

Candidates and Instructors presenting for test can now wait at the Theory reception as usual, it is recommended that masks are worn inside the building but these are no longer compulsory on test.

A negative Lateral flow test from the candidate will still be required prior to the drive.

At this stage it is still not permitted to have the candidate accompanied on the test, DVL will continue to monitor all CCA advice and it is hoped that with reducing numbers of positive cases accompanied drives may resume in the near future.

Should any candidate show signs of being unwell on the run up to the test DVL will as before relocate the booking free of charge even if this is within the weeks stipulation.

Steve

PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST REQUIREMENTS

Following on from the latest CCA Media Briefing, a number of changes are being introduced in respect of the procedures to be followed when attending a practical driving test.

These changes reflect the emergence of the new Omicron variant of Covid on the Island and the anticipated increase in likely case numbers and are designed to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease through close contact during practical driving tests.

As of Monday 20th December, candidates will be required to wear a mask/face covering* during the course of the test in addition to providing confirmation of a negative lateral flow test on arrival at DVL.

*DVL will only allow exemptions from wearing a mask if the candidate can provide verification of a medical condition or disability.

Candidates should familiarise themselves with driving in a face mask before the test day.
Failure to provide medical proof or non-compliance to wear a mask may result in the test not going ahead and result in the loss of the booking fee.

The Examiner will stop the test to allow the candidate to adjust the mask however should it become a safety issue the test may then be terminated.

Candidates should still arrive prior to the test start time as listed on the test booking confirmation and park on the test bays at the rear of the building. However, they should not enter DVL premises, the Examiner will meet them at the car and carry out the necessary checks prior to the start of the test.

All “touch points” on test cars that may be in contact with the Examiner such as door handles, widow winders / switches and handbrake, whether it be a school car or private car, should be wiped down using a suitable antibacterial wipe.

The end of the test will terminate in the test bays at the front of the building. Instructors are permitted to listen in on the de-brief providing the candidate does not object and the Instructor does not enter the vehicle.

In order to limit unnecessary time spent in the vehicle, should the candidate commit a serious or dangerous fault they will be immediately informed that the drive is now terminated and be asked to return to DVL.

If the candidate is successful on the test there will be a small team working within the licensing department who can process the pass certificate.

The Examiners are carrying out regular lateral flow tests themselves and may or may not be wearing a mask/face covering over the course of the drive.

Should any Instructor or candidate become or feel unwell prior to attending at DVL please let us know and even at short notice we can cancel the test and arrange an alternative test date or issue a payment token for the candidate to choose a slot themselves.

DVL will continue to monitor any further CCA briefings / Public Health guidance and advise you as soon as possible should anything change.

If you have any concerns regarding the above, please contact DVL or me directly.

Regards

Steve.

Issued: 16th December 2021

In light of the recommendations announced by the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) made on Thursday 21st October following the recent increase in cases of Covid-19 across the Bailiwick, Traffic & Highway Services (THS) has been reviewing the procedures in relation to the Driving Test Service.



Due to the limited size of the theory test suite, it is now a requirement for all candidates to wear a face covering whilst sitting a theory test. Anyone that is exempted from wearing a face covering should contact THS who will schedule a slot for a single candidate.

As per the CCA recommendations, candidates are recommended to undertake a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) ahead of attending (on the day of the test), to check if they have the virus.



In regards of a practical car driving test, because it is not physically possible to ensure adequate social distancing, all candidates are recommended to undertake a Lateral Flow Test ahead of attending their test (to be taken on the day of the test). Also, a candidate is required to wear a face covering. If exempted, or if this is not practical, then they will be required to show the negative result of a Lateral Flow Test to the driving examiner.



In addition, the candidate/instructor should ensure that door handles and driving controls have been wiped down before the test commences and instructors/accompanying drivers will not be permitted in the vehicle on the test.



Any candidate who is feeling unwell or due to the above measures wishes to postpone their test will be given a free online token to rebook their theory or practical test to a future date of their choice.”





If the candidate is having a pre test drive and is happy to carry out the test in front of you that is great as you witness it is a valid/current test but I appreciate this also eats into your lesson time. You could ask that they have the test completed prior to your arrival for the lesson, the result then needs to be presented to the Examiner when signing up the DL25.



Any candidates that you may have given instruction that are using their own car or presenting without the Instructor must be aware that the flow test is required or they will have to wear a mask throughout the test. DVL can if necessary supply a mask at the Theory desk.



The above will be implemented from tomorrow morning Wednesday 27th October, the information has also been placed on the online booking system but please ensure you relay this to your candidates as many just skip straight to the booking point.

Regards

Steve