COVID-19 | DRIVING INSTRUCTORS PROCESSES & CONSIDERATIONS

The health and safety of our instructors and customers is paramount. In accordance with the National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP) guidelines following changes to government advice, the following processes should be considered until further notice:

Before collecting the client

  • Consider whether you or they have had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days or have been in contact with someone who has within the last 14 days.
  • Before you leave to collect the client for a lesson call or text them and check if they have had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days
  • Establish if the client know anyone or have been in contact with anyone that is showing symptoms or has been doing so within the last 14 days
  • Remind them to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, in line with Government guidance, immediately before leaving the house for their lesson. If they want to wear disposable gloves, to put them on just before getting into the car
  • Make sure you ask the client to wear clothing that is suitable and covers as much of them as possible, including arms and legs

When collecting the client

  • Once you arrive to collect them you should again assess whether they are well enough to start the lesson. Do not let them get into the car straight away but have a conversation with them at least 2 metres away and see if you notice any symptoms. Arrange to meet by the vehicle not at their front door.
  • You need to be 100% happy with their state and if you are not don’t start the lesson and explain you need to cancel until they have recovered fully. Ideally do this before every lesson you have even if you only saw the pupil the day before.
  • Make sure then that they have washed their hands or have hand sanitizer ready for them
  • Explain that you have also just cleaned your hands with hand sanitizer, or soap and water where possible and that both of you should avoid touching your face and hands
  • Explain you will not shake their hand share visual aids, pens etc. with them and will be minimising contact with them for safety
  • Explain that between lessons you 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 training resources
  • Explain that the windows will be down as much as possible during the lesson to allow for ventilation, and tell them to wrap up warm as it might be cooler in the car
  • Avoid using the air conditioning if possible however if it is used don’t set it to recirculate
  • Explain at this time that the clients parents, guardians or friends, will not be able to sit in on the lesson
  • Any new clients will need their licence checked electronically at https://www.gov.uk/check-drivinginformation You need: the last 8 characters of their driving licence and the check code from the client, ask them to hold the licence up so you can check it. Don’t touch or take the licence from them. The code will be valid for 21 days and you can only use the code once.
  • If you are considering making any additions in the vehicle, i.e. plastic screening or dividers, please check any construction and use rules, as they may affect the airbag deployment and could mean you can’t safely reach all the controls when required.
  • Also check with your car insurance before making any construction and use adaptations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • It is essential you have hand sanitiser and clean your hands as frequently as you can
  • Antibacterial wipes or spray (check they also say virus) should be used to clean down the car between lessons. Household disinfectant can also be used.
  • Have a supply of disposable bin bags in the car and put all wipes and tissues in the bin bag. Change the bin bag after each lesson and dispose of it responsibly

You may also want to consider the following:

  • Disposable gloves could be worn by yourself and the client but you will still need to wash your hands and clean down surfaces and controls. Some people have a latex allergy so check with your clients. You will need to change them after each lesson
  • Face masks: You could also use face masks or coverings. The advice on the effectiveness of face masks and coverings varies but if it makes you or the client feel more comfortable during the lesson then the option is there. Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by law, including in the workplace
  • Have a supply of both gloves and masks to offer your client before they enter the vehicle
  • If you do use a mask, make sure you use a new one frequently and dispose of the old one safely and responsibly. Cloth ones need to be washed at least daily and at 60 degrees and above to be effective. Gloves need to be changed frequently.
  • Wear clothing that is suitable and covers as much of you as possible, including arms and legs and we would suggest you give your clients the same advice
  • Wash your clothing as soon as you have finished work for the day
  • Avoid beaded seat covers that are difficult to clean between lessons
  • It is essential that the PPE equipment you choose does not impede yours, or the client’s ability to control the vehicle or communicate with you. For that reason we do not recommend plastic face visors or plastic screen dividers between yourself and the client. They could be dangerous if they mist up or an airbag is deployed and they may be regarded as an adaptation to the vehicle.
  • Have a supply of disposable bin bags in the car and put all wipes and tissues in the bin bag. Change the bin bag after each lesson and dispose of it responsibly.

During the lesson consider the following:

  • Visual aids and any training resources should be held up and not passed between the two of you to hold and touch
  • Writing should be done by the ADI don’t share a pen or other devices where possible. If you do then clean with anti-bac wipes straight afterwards
  • Try to avoid directly facing each other when discussing scenarios, it is safer to face forwards in the vehicle because we cannot maintain being 2 metres apart
  • If you give a demonstration drive you will need to wipe down the controls before and after the drive
  • Consider wherever possible giving any brief notes digitally
  • Consider wherever possible reducing the handling of cash and use electronic payments and receipts

After the lesson:

  • After you have finished the lesson you will need to repeat some of the same processes that you did at the start of the lesson. If you then drive to pick up your next client, you will need to repeat the process again, in short, each time that someone has been in the driving seat. Make extra time between lessons to allow for this.
  • No hand shaking, clean your hands but do not go into the clients house to do this
  • Remind the client to wash their hands as soon as they get back into their house
  • Wipe the car down ready for the next lesson or your journey home
  • Call your next pupil and assess their state to avoid a wasted journey
  • Consider wherever possible to use your vehicle solely for work purposes and minimise allowing family in it if at all possible

Taking a client to test

  • Allow time on arrival at the test centre to wipe down the examiners side of the vehicle, including seat and head restraint, seatbelt and its connection, the dashboard area and passenger door contact points
  • It may not be possible for both of you to enter the test centre waiting room
  • Explain to the client how the examiner will behave on arrival at the test centre
  • You will not be allowed to accompany the test
  • You may not be allowed to attend at the end of test debrief