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Original poster

Driving lessons in lockdown? Yay or nay?

82 replies

TheoriginalLEM · 14/04/2020 21:51

My gut feel is no as it's uneccesary journey but....

The roads are quieter and i desperately need to learn to drive for career progression?

Still a no though? I think no but the thought just occurred to me

OP posts:
BanKittenHeels · 14/04/2020 22:20

Hard nope and I expect the police would fine you. Definitely non-essential travel.

TheReluctantCountess · 14/04/2020 22:21

Er...no.

VivaLeBeaver · 14/04/2020 22:21

I’m not taking Dd out and it’s such a shame as she’s so nervous and it would be an ideal time with the quieter roads.....but it’s non essential travel so no.

Original poster
TheoriginalLEM · 14/04/2020 22:22

Pretty unanimous then - the isolation is paddling my mid Grin

OP posts:
CXG1 · 14/04/2020 22:22

If you're already through them so you're generally okay on the road then I guess lessons with a qualified driver in your household (if there is one) would be fine. You could drive them to the supermarket etc? Otherwise nope.

Watertorture · 14/04/2020 22:22

I saw someone doing this today while out for my walk - looked like a mum and daughter.

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 14/04/2020 22:23

Its not just the unnessisary travel, the instructor has to sit in the passenger seat and it would therefore be impossible to adhere to the social distancing rules of 2 metres (6ft) and not meeting with anyone from outside of your own household. So driving lessons would contravene 3 rules.

Whywhywhynow · 14/04/2020 22:24

A resounding no

Original poster
TheoriginalLEM · 14/04/2020 22:25

Instructor would be my DP but you're right.

Daft idea

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 14/04/2020 22:27

I guess combining it with a supermarket trip would be ok?

Zampa · 14/04/2020 22:28

Presuming that you'd be driving with a family member, why don't you just do the driving to the supermarket once a week. You can follow sat nav directions there and back, reverse park in the car park and parallel park outside the house on your return?

CoronaIsComing · 14/04/2020 22:29

Well it is non essential travel, unless you drive to the supermarket with your DP. That would be fine, not great practise but something!

jojobar · 14/04/2020 22:31

Tests aren't suspended for keyworkers as I understand it although availability is as you'd expect very limited.

OP, assuming you're not a keyworker but you have access to a car and someone in your household who can take you out, then why don't you drive any of the essential journeys that your household are doing, to the supermarket, chemist or whatever once a week? It's actually really good practice to normalise driving, what was key to me passing my test was driving all those everyday journeys so it became second nature.

If your car is parked on street or in a bay you could also practice parallel parking or reversing into a bay (with your member of the household with you) you're not leaving your street so it's not going to be an issue.

Don't make a specific separate journey as that would be against advice but just use any practicing opportunity that arises.

Carrie7469 · 14/04/2020 22:31

No way

SarahAndQuack · 14/04/2020 22:32

Obviously no, but also, it would surely be pointless?

The roads are empty. I read it's about the same number of cars as in 1955.

You'd only learn to be a crap driver, because you'd have no exposure to normal traffic.

WonderWebbs · 14/04/2020 22:38

My teen has had their driving lessons cancelled as soon as lock down was announced. The roads are quiet round here and I have seen a couple of parents out with their teens to practice their driving but it isn't an essential journey in my book.

Lessons can start up again when restrictions are lifted.

passthetequila · 14/04/2020 22:41

I'm a driving instructor. I haven't taught for over three weeks. Made the decision after the first social distancing request from the PM and was then told by the company I franchise through to stop teaching anyway. I'm not aware of any one that is still teaching unless the pupil is a critical worker who has managed to book a test (and will be carrying confirmation paperwork in the car to avoid a fine). Also been advised to inform my pupils that practising with a parent etc is considered a non essential journey. Hope that helps and good luck when you do get back on the road.

jojobar · 14/04/2020 22:44

It's not all about the presence of other cars though. When you're learning just getting to grips with the mechanics of driving, manoeuvring, etc are really important. Practising on those essential journeys would still be beneficial,.

RoseMartha · 14/04/2020 22:47

No not essential

user1473878824 · 14/04/2020 22:48

My big worry would be if anything happens like a crash.

user1473878824 · 14/04/2020 22:49

(This May be based on how well my lessons were going.......)

LovingLola · 14/04/2020 22:49

Not even sure if insurance would cover any accident.

What? Where have you discovered this one??

browzingss · 14/04/2020 22:50

No unless you’re a key worker

Letsnotusemyname · 14/04/2020 22:52

Our road sometimes seems like a learner driver convention area.

From 9am, after school traffic has cleared, until 6+ pm.

They queue to reverse round corners.

Now - nothing. Whether its instructors or trainees, they’ve said no.

Daisiest · 14/04/2020 22:53

It said in the paper today that insurance could refuse to pay for non essential travel during lockdown, so if you do go out be very careful.

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