To be unsure about restarting driving lessons?

[verybritishproblems]

Basically this. My instructor texted me just now to say that she is restarting driving lessons from Monday and did I want to be added to the list?

I’m a bit concerned because you obviously can’t distance in a car and I’m worried about all the other people taking lessons in the car before me and if they’re social distancing properly.

But it’s not a big company either it’s just her and I want to support her business but I’m unsure whether it’s too early to be doing this? I’ve heard anything from the Government that they can resume...

I’m currently working from home and just leaving home for essentials and exercise (no day trips to the beach etc) and part of me is thinking, well if I restart these lessons now then I’m not distancing properly so why am I being so strict in other areas? If that makes sense.

What do you think? Maybe I’m being silly and we can wipe down before every lesson etc.

Even if she wipes down she’s still been breathing the same air as them. Will she be wearing a mask?

I've not heard anything about them being allowed to resume. The company I'm with hasn't given any indication, but have put up a message saying when they resume that all cars will be continuously cleaned and gloves and masks will be worn. Personally, I will feel OK going for lessons when it's deemed safe to return. However, like yourself, I'm waiting for official confirmation rather than how my instructor feels. Have you asked her which measures she will be taking for both tour lessons and in general to make it safe?

Wipe down, open windows, face covering if you feel necessary, wash hands after, change clothes if you feel necessary.

Also, how far along are you in your lessons? If you're nearly test ready, and they restart exams from the end of June, would you want to be 'ready to go'? If you are just a beginner, maybe it would be best to hold off until it's definitely safe.

You need to contact her to ask what measures she is putting in place to ensure hers and her students' safety.

What @IckyIsAFuckingStupidWord said. Be pleased it’s not winter so you can drive with the windows down!

I completely get your reticence, it’s natural after living under such restrictions for so long. But realistically, if you’re not comfortable returning now, when would you be? Learning to drive is important - I wouldn’t be waiting on a potential vaccine before I got back in the car. And realistically the government expressedly saying it’s fine won’t change the actual risk level in the car.

I wouldn’t resume atm. I’m surprised that your driving instructor contacted you. The advice on BSM and RAC websites didn’t change - all driving lessons are postponed. I’m in the same situation as you: I was learning to drive before lockdown and my instructor is self employed so it’s only him, not a big firm and I go out only for essentials atm. I have checked the advice after 10 May and rechecked just now before posting, nothing changed. There was something somewhere (probably BBC ) that driving with a member of your own household to the supermarket is ok but apart from this - no, even with a member of your own household.

Sorry for the radio silence, a friend of mine has been ill and I’ve helping (from a socially acceptable distance of course!)

I decided I’m not starting yet. I looked at guidance online and it looks like driving lessons are only allowed at the moment for key workers so I think that’s enough to justify my not restarting at the moment.

I took on board what people here said about precautions, windows down, masks, wipe down of vehicle etc but I still couldn’t justify it. The way I look at it, if I can get in a car with someone who is practically a stranger, having contact with many others, then how is that different from getting in the car with my neighbour and going for a drive.

I am concerned because she is one of few instructors that teach automatic in this area and I could lose her if I don’t book up, but I’ve weighed it up and I’d rather look after my health. She carried on lessons after the lockdown for a while (I decided to cancel) so Im not sure on reflection how much she will adhere to any precautions and wiping down if the vehicle as I am not sure she takes it seriously.

Thanks for everyone’s input I appreciated it

Forgot to mention I was only 8 lessons in before lockdown so nowhere near test ready.

I'm a key worker and need a license for my new job. You cannot have driving lessons unless you are a key worker who needs a license for work. Otherwise it is a violation of lockdown. Your instructor should know that - they are breaking the law, they are putting themselves at risk, they are putting their students at risk and they're putting at risk the people who key workers have to see (like patients in hospital or children in schools...).

Thank you bumpbundle that’s what I thought and what I read.

All it takes is for just one of the instructor's pupils to be infectious (whilst still presymptomatic). The instructor will have spent an hour in a confined space with them, and if they get it, the same will apply to everyone they teach until they realise. Wiping down surfaces will be of limited use. They should self-isolate as soon as they know about the original pupil, but by the time they've shown symptoms and been tested, that could be a good few days - enough to have seen most of their pupils.

Thank you, exactly what I was thinking. I know the self employed help from Government is ending soon/has ended? and I do feel bad as it’s her own business but I have to think about my health unfortunately. Well, fortunately but you know what I mean. ☺️