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Guidance for instructors in Wales on lessons and tests in England
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| The Welsh Government has confirmed it will be lifting the firebreak restrictions in Wales from today, Monday 9 November.
How the national restrictions in England affect you
From Thursday 5 November up to Wednesday 2 December 2020:
• there will be no theory or practical tests in England, so you cannot take your pupils from Wales for a test in England
• you should not give lessons to any pupils from England or take them to a test in Wales
• instructors in England can still travel to Wales to teach a pupil who lives in Wales and take them to a test at a test centre in Wales
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We are still endeavouring to get the answers to the long list of questions on the lockdown in England, we hope to have it with you tomorrow. |
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Festival of Road Safety 2020
What better way to pass time in lockdown than with some useful CPD? The Festival of Road Safety replaces the 2020 National Road Safety Conference which has sadly been cancelled due to the ongoing situation with regard to COVID-19 and has a whole host of online topics that you can dip in to at your leisure.
All of the content will be aired free to view by all. However, if you want to participate in the live discussion sessions and workshops you will need to register in advance. There is a very wide and varied programme, it’s well worth taking a look and you can do so here.
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Thank you to everyone who provided me with information on their financial situation having ‘fallen through the cracks’. I have today written to MoneyBox, and I know that many of you have done so individually. Let’s hope that the increased interest from the media will help push the government into some action. If you want to read the email you can do so here.
Iif you haven’t done so already do consider writing in yourself, the more people that do the more likely they are to take some notice.
The email address is moneybox@bbc.co.uk, or call 03700 100 444. Lines normally open every Wednesday from 1300-1530.
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Our Talk Line is still available for anybody feeling the need for someone to talk to as we continue in these troubling times. This is a completely free and confidential service so please get in touch if you need to talk. It’s an ear without judgment.
The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact us for help and support.
ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444
The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414
The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
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We remain extremely concerned for our members who have been excluded from any financial help. These include the newly self-employed, people who worked hard to come into our industry but through sheer bad timing don’t qualify for help. It also includes people who have served their country in the military and are in receipt of a pension and are now being penalised for their service.
There are nearly 3 million people in the UK in similar positions who have not received any financial help from the government since March.
On 5 November the ADINJC wrote again to the Chancellor and to the Business Secretary to ask for consideration to be given to people in this situation as it is clearly unacceptable.
Well done to Ian, an ADI from Liverpool for getting a question put to the panel of Any Questions yesterday. It certainly caused a good debate. You can listen to the programme here – fast forward to minute 39 to hear it.
If you are in the position of not having had any financial help since March then you might like to consider writing in to the MoneyBox programme on Radio 4. The forthcoming edition on Wednesday of this week will be looking at the situation the excluded find themselves in. They have asked for people to get in touch and they will take on some case studies to include in the programme.
The email address is moneybox@bbc.co.uk, or call 03700 100 444. Lines normally open every Wednesday from 1300-1530.
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Our Talk Line is still available for anybody feeling the need for someone to talk to as we continue in these troubling times. This is a completely free and confidential service so please get in touch if you need to talk.
The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact us for help and support.
ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444
The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414
The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
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I want to thank the team at NJC for working the late hours to get out information for you. Having finally got more information from DVSA late last night for restrictions in England, it restated that Government guidance directs that for the duration of the lockdown driver and rider training lessons should not take place. This is in the interest of everyone’s health and to protect the NHS.
It also clarifies:
• There will be no critical worker tests and ADIs and PDIs are advised not to provide critical worker lessons. It does state this will be kept under review
• Candidates should not travel into other parts of the UK to take tests and will be refused. This infers that it is similarly inappropriate to travel into other parts of the UK with pupils to undertake tuition.
• The advice is for cars and motorcycle training
• Candidates who have practical tests cancelled will be contacted and sent a new date by DVSA
• Unless the lockdown is extended the date to resume work is December 2nd as lockdown ends at 00:01 on that day.
We are aware there are still many questions that members need to have answered and we will endeavour to get these to you as soon as we have them from DVSA in the coming days. The ADINJC would urge you to follow the Government Guidance.
If any of you choose not to follow this guidance you should seek confirmation from your insurers regarding your cover.
Lynne Barrie ADINJC Chair
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Take an eyesight survey to be in with a chance of winning a pair of brand new glasses with ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses worth £500
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Our friends at Intelligent Instructor have linked up with ZEISS Vision Care to undertake research into driver eyecare. Theyneed your help in filling out this short survey, and in turn, one lucky person can win a free eye test and a pair of brand new glasses with ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses worth £500.
Entry deadline noon, Wednesday, 11th November. Take the survey.
DriveSafe lenses are effective at:
· Improving vision in low light and poor weather conditions
· Reducing perceived glare at night from oncoming cars or streetlights
· Providing accurate vision when shifting focus between the road, dashboard, rear-view mirror and side-mirrors
See better during the day, in twilight conditions and at night.
Our pupil size changes over the course of the day: the more surrounding light there is, the smaller the pupil. DriveSafe Lenses from ZEISS stand out from the crowd because their optimised lens design accommodates the wearer’s enlarged pupil diameter when driving in poor light. This lens design also increases contrast, improves vision in inclement weather and reduces possible distortions within the lens periphery – particularly with progressive lenses.
The end result: you have better vision and can more precisely judge viewing distances in stressful driving situations e.g. at night or in rain, fog or snow.
Vision that’s clear for when the road is anything but.
To learn more about ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses, find your local ZEISS optician through our Find an Optician page.
(Image credit: ZEISS Vision Care UK & Ireland)
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Our Talk Line is still available for anybody feeling the need for someone to talk to as we continue in these troubling times. This is a completely free and confidential service so please get in touch if you need to talk.
The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact us for help and support.
ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444
The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414
The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
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The Government has announced new national restrictions will be in place in England from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
We will continue to keep the situation under review in line with Government advice.
Driving lessons in England
The Government has announced that during these dates, driving lessons should not take place in England
Your pupils can still have private practice using their own car as long as they and the supervising driver are from the same household and it is travel for work, education or for other legally permitted exemptions.
What this means for driving tests
Further to the announcement from the Government, all driving tests in England will be suspended from Thursday 5 November and restart on Wednesday 2 December.
This includes ADI part 2 and 3 tests and standards checks.
We are emailing everyone with a test booked between Thursday 5 November and Tuesday 1 December to let them know it will be rescheduled to a new time and date.
We will continue to keep the situation under review in line with Government advice.
Critical workers tests and lessons
Given the short period of time the new restrictions will be in place, we will not be offering a critical worker priority service.
We will keep this under review.
This means that you should not offer lessons to critical workers in England during the new national restrictions period.
Critical workers will need to follow the Government’s travel guidance.
If you’ve booked a test for your pupils
If you have booked a test for any of your pupils, you will receive an email to let you know it will be rescheduled to a new time and date. You will need to contact your pupil to let them know.
It could take up to a week for us to reschedule all tests so please ask your pupils to be patient.
If the rescheduled test time and date isn’t suitable
If the new time and date is not suitable for you or your pupil, you can choose a new time and date on GOV.UK. You will need your pupil’s driving licence number to do this. Your pupil does not need to pay again to do this.
Travelling out of England for a test
Your pupils should not travel out of England to take a driving test. If they travel out of England to come to their driving test our examiners will not be able to test them.
If you live in England but your pupil does not, you will need to follow the government guidance on travelling and work.
Waiting rooms in England
During the national restrictions in England we will also be pausing our plans to open up other waiting rooms in England until after 2 December.
We will assess the feedback from instructors, customers and our examiners from the waiting rooms opened as part of the initial rollout to see how we can safely continue to open up other waiting rooms in Scotland and Wales.
We’ll update you again about waiting rooms in Scotland and Wales next week.
Further information
The Government has also published guidance on financial support for business/self employed people in England that you can access.
More information
Check GOV.UK for the latest about:
• theory tests
• driving tests
• instructor guidance
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The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
The Welsh Government has confirmed it will be lifting the firebreak restrictions in Wales from Monday 9 November.
What this means for you and your pupils
You can restart taking your pupils out on lessons from Monday 9 November.
What this means for practical tests
All practical tests will also restart on 9 November in Wales. This includes:
• car
• car and trailer
• motorcycle module 1 and 2
• vocational tests including Driver CPC module 4
• tractor tests
• ADI part 2 and 3
• ADI standard checks
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Driving tests
Car windows must be open throughout the test
At least 2 windows on opposite sides of the car must be open throughout the test. Any combination of windows can be opened, for example, one from the front and back. Your pupils are advised to wear clothing suitable for the weather.
Make sure your car is clean
Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you must clean the inside of your car before your test. This means:
• tidying any unnecessary items away from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats.
• wiping down the dashboard and car controls
The examiner will do an additional clean of some surfaces.
Wearing a face covering for practical tests
Your pupils must bring and wear a face covering for their practical test, unless they have a good reason not to. Good reasons are things like:
• having a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability
• wearing it would cause them severe distress
If they refuse to wear a face covering they will not be able to take their test.
If they do have a good reason they need to tell us when they book their test.
Reopening waiting rooms in Welsh test centres
As the UK government has announced further national restrictions in England, we’re pausing our plans to open up waiting rooms in England until after 2 December.
We’ll assess the feedback from instructors, customers and our examiners from the waiting rooms opened as part of the initial rollout to see how we can safely open up other waiting rooms in Wales.
We’ll update you again about waiting rooms as soon as possible.
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What this means for theory tests in Wales
All categories of theory test will also restart in Wales on 9 November including ADI part 1 tests.
Your pupils must bring and wear a face covering for their theory test, unless they have a good reason not to. Good reasons are things like:
• having a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability
• wearing it would cause them severe distress
They need to say if they have a good reason not to wear a face covering when they book their test. If your pupil cannot wear a face covering, they must tell us when they book their test
If they already have a theory test booked and have a good reason not to wear a face covering they need to call Pearson VUE on 0300 200 1122.
More information
Check GOV.UK for the latest about:
• theory tests
• driving tests
• instructor guidance
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The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
Here is the link to last night’s webinar. We’re sorry that we were unable to answer so many of your questions, but had been promised that we would have had answers to them before the webinar. As yet we have still to hear from DVSA but as soon as we do will of course share the information.
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The Energy Savings Trust run some some excellent courses that are free to ADIs and would be well worth doing for anyone considering an Electric Vehicle for their next school car. Details of the courses:
• What EVs and PHEVs are available, their realistic ranges and uses.
• Costs: Purchase costs & running costs including grants, fuel costs, taxes and servicing/maintenance.
• Driving EVs: their modes, controls and displays; maximising EVs efficiency and therefore range
• Other issues & concerns: Overall CO2 emissions compared to petrol diesel; electricity production (will the national grid cope?); Lithium supplies; Battery life and degradation, etc etc.
The courses are free of charge as they are funded by Dept for Transport.
Pre COVID the courses ran at various locations around England, with classroom training in the mornings and on-road in the afternoons. The classroom training has been replaced with webinars but keeping the numbers on the webinars small so the courses can be really interactive with questions and discussion welcome at any time.
In the afternoons following the webinars on-road training is still offered when ADIs that have attended the webinar in the morning can come along and drive 3 different EVs, each for approx 20 to 30 mins. The on-road training is one-to-one with a trainer working for EST and of course it follows COVID protocols of mask wearing, ensuring good ventilation, sanitising touch points between drivers etc.
Dates and locations for upcoming courses –
8th Dec: Stoke
9th Dec: Worcester
10th Dec: Swindon.
For more information or to book a place on a course please contact Raymond Amileke on Raymond.Amileke@est.org.uk
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And looking to the future for driver training, the RAC Foundation with the University of Nottingham have been researching driver behaviour in relation to the next stage of level 3 automated vehicles. The study found that drivers who received behavioural training were more measured in their behaviour and better understood the car’s capabilities and limitations.
You can read the press release and full report here.
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Remember we are here to help and support you. Please stay safe.
Our Talk Line is still available for anybody feeling the need for someone to talk to as we continue in these troubling times. This is a completely free and confidential service so please get in touch if you need to talk.
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The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact us for help and support.
ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444
The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414
The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
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More support
The Chancellor has just announced that in addition to extending the furlough scheme, he has increased help for the self-employed and to the devolved administrations. This is from the BBC website –
Mr Sunak also announced billions of pounds of other support for the economy, including more money for self-employed people.
Support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.
At the same time, the chancellor raised guaranteed funding for the UK’s devolved administrations by £2bn to £16bn.
Read the full article here.
Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert website already has details. Here’s the link.
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Remember we are here to help and support you. Please stay safe.
Our Talk Line is still available for anybody feeling the need for someone to talk to as we continue in these troubling times. This is a completely free and confidential service so please get in touch if you need to talk.
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The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact us for help and support.
ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444
The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414
The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
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https://vimeo.com/475614471
We will be holding a webinar to discuss the current situation in all the nations, on Wednesday 4 November at 7pm. Please register here. The panel will consist of Lynne, Matt, Andrew – and a new face, Charles Moffat. Charles is a Governing Committee member and former Senior Investigating Officer, Expert Witness and Advisor on Professional Standards.
The webinar can also be viewed live on our public Facebook page, and will be recorded and available later.
If you have questions please email them in advance to Andrew Love at andrew@luv2drv.co.uk
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Remember we are here to help and support you. Please stay safe.
Our Talk Line is still available for anybody feeling the need for someone to talk to as we continue in these troubling times. This is a completely free and confidential service so please get in touch if you need to talk.
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The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact us for help and support.
ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444
The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414
The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
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The Government has announced that England will be put under national restrictions from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December
We will continue to keep the situation under review in line with Government advice.
What this means for theory tests
These measures mean all theory tests in England will be suspended from 5 November and restart on Wednesday 2 December.
We are emailing everyone with a test booked in England to let them know their test has been put on hold and they will need to reschedule it.
If you have booked a test for any of your pupils you will receive an email to confirm their test has been put on hold. You will need to contact your pupil to let them know.You or your pupil will need to log into the service and rearrange their theory test for a new time and date.
Driver and rider practical training and tests
Driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020. We will be contacting affected test candidates soon.
We’ll keep you updated on the situation and provide further guidance when we’re able too.
Further information
Read the new national restrictions from 5 November.
The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis. We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.
