Ask your instructor (ADI) what precautions they have in place to help guard against the spread of C19.
- The instructor should call before the lesson to check the learner is well, that no one in their household has symptoms and to reassure them that the instructor is ok
- If the learners feels unwell or is displaying symptoms, the lesson will not go ahead. The same applies to the ADI. The advice is to follow the current guidance on self-isolating
- Ask the learner to generate the driving licence check code and bring their photocard (this is usual practice) but in addition, the ADI should ask the learner to hold up their licence to avoid handling it
- No handshakes (common at the first meeting)
- Learner should be advised to clean their hands in line with government guidance before and after the lesson. The ADI should do the same.
- Gloves can be worn but not essential if good hand hygiene is practised. Good respiratory practice should also be practiced
- Well fitting masks/face coverings should be used by both ADI and learner unless there are mitigating circumstances that prevent this, such as asthma. Glasses steaming up or if the mask feels uncomfortable are not good enough reasons not to wear one. The learner should try different masks out and practice wearing one before getting in the car. The learner should supply their own mask/face covering, and dispose of it after the lesson responsibly. They should not leave this, or any PPE etc in the ADI’s car
- Plastic face visors are not recommended due to injuries that could occur if the airbag were to deploy
- The learner should bring minimal belongings with them to minimise any contamination. The ADI may ask the learner to store their bag etc in the boot but should reassure the boot will be locked for security
- Tell the learner that they will not be sharing any pens or learning materials in the car, but if the need arises, it must be cleaned down properly straight away
- The ADI should make every effort to share learning materials and documents digitally
- If the ADI needs to swap seats to demonstrate something to the learner during a lesson, they should clean down all contact points, both internal and external before and after every driver swap
- ADIs should deep clean their vehicle every week as a minimum
- Reassure learners the car will be sanitised before they get in, including all internal and external contact points
- Inform the learner to wear appropriate clothing according to weather conditions (short sleeves are now permissible) as the windows need to be down for ventilation. Any discussions will be carried out outside of the car at the recommended distance, including the pre and post lesson brief
- The ADI will advise the learner that when they do speak inside the car, they both need to face forwards and not face each other directly
- A lot of ADIs have hand sanitiser in their cars for the learner to use as well and so the learner could ask if they have this or bring their own
- The ADI should reassure the learner that the lesson should go ahead as planned is everyone is well and a normal lesson will be given other than the additional precautions Some ADIs may be doing shorter lessons, so rather than 2 hours, they are doing a 1-1.5 hour lessons to avoid being is close contact over a prolonged period of time
- Advise the learners to clean their hands as they exit the car and wash their hands with soap and water soon as they can for the recommended time
- Help to manage learner expectations in terms of getting a driving test as there are still delays to this service and DVSA is working to resume a normal service as quickly as they can
- Some ADIs will use disposable seat covers and in addition, some ADIs are asking learners to bring a clean towel to sit on for comfort as sitting on a plastic seat cover can be uncomfortable and especially in hot weather. A clean towel may also be recommended to the learner to bring along for hygiene reasons too.