Demand for driving lessons and tests is expected to “skyrocket”, as learner drivers wait on lessons to resume later this month.

Driving tests and lessons have been paused for several months due to coronavirus restrictions, but the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency confirmed that lessons will resume on 12 April and test on 22 April in England and Wales.

Due to the pandemic putting a halt on driving lessons and tests in December, thousands of people have been waiting for lessons to restart.

📢 Confirmed for England and Wales

12 April 2021:
✅ driving lessons with instructors
✅ all theory tests
✅ motorcycle tests
✅ lorry lessons & tests
✅ car and trailer tests
✅ minibus lessons and tests

22 April:
✅ Driving tests
✅ ADI parts 2 & 3 (& standards checks)

Live COVID updates from across the UK and around the world

According to the AA Driving School’s interim managing director, Robert Cowell, 26,371 people have inquired about lessons since December.

“After months of uncertainty this is truly welcome news for driving instructors and pupils around the country,” Mr Cowell said.

“More than 26,000 prospective pupils contacted us during the latest lockdown, so demand is going to skyrocket now instructors can open their books again.

“Those who started learning to drive before lockdown will now tackle the additional challenge of starting back after the long break.

“Our driving instructors are ready to help them overcome the additional challenges they have faced being a lockdown learner and we are confident many will be on the road to success very soon.”

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In March 2021, data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency showed that 2.97 million 16 to 25-year olds hold a full license in England and Wales.

This is down from 3.32 million in March 2020 and the smallest total since records began in 2021.

Since March 2020, the car industry suffered a loss in sales of £22bn but demand for new cars is on the up according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

SMMT data showed that almost 284,000 new vehicles were sold in March 2021, compared to 255,000 in the same period last year.

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