Sorry to say that there’s still no news from the Chancellor but all the signs look like it will be tomorrow, hold on folks.

If your MOT is due to run out on or after 30 March you will get a temporary 6 month extension to the date on your current certificate.  You don’t need to do anything, and you won’t get a paper certificate.  Full details about this are on gov.uk – click this link.

There is further information about key workers, which includes those in –

• health and social care
• education and childcare
• key public services
• local and national government
• food and other necessary goods
• public safety and national security
• transport
• utilities, communication and financial services
Full information, which includes different email addresses from those that were originally given out, can be found on this link.

We now have a list of possible temporary employment opportunities, thanks to the work of GC member George Simpson.  It’s on the website, just follow this link.

Our new NJC Talk Line started today, and the team has already fielded some calls.  Please feel free to use the scheme, and to tell others about it.  We’d like to avoid people feeling isolated with nowhere to turn, so important at a time like this.  We’ve put the list of numbers on the website, just follow this link.

On finances, we’ve heard that at least one ADI has applied for Universal Credit and now has money in his bank account.  So it is worth hanging on in that queue!  We also know of several ADIs who have received good information and support from their accountant, so that’s another source of information for people.

The upper limit for spending on contactless cards is to increase from £30 to £45 on April 1st (don’t think that’s an April fool!), so that means less contact with unhygienic surfaces.

We had hoped to have a list of FAQs from DVSA, but it hasn’t materialised as yet, we will get it to you as soon as we receive it.

A suggestion that came in from a member on the webinar was to make use of 0% interest credit cards if cashflow is a problem.  It certainly makes sense, but do make sure that you pay off at least the minimum each month to avoid being charged interest.  If you haven’t already found it, Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert website and newsletters are really good sources of sound advice on ways to save money.

Well done and good luck to all ADIs who have signed up to the NHS volunteer service!  We wish you well, do let us know how you get on.

I received a newspaper report from my colleague on the GC, Lin Western, the headline was one of outrage at driving instructors in London who were still conducting lessons.  Rightly so, members of the public were outraged, pointing out that social distancing was not being practised.  Not a good headline and frankly not good for our industry.  NASP advice sent out on Monday was that no lessons should now be being conducted, unless they are for key workers.  We have asked DVSA for guidance on lessons for key workers, as we are concerned about the safety of ADIs, whether people in this situation can perhaps have some kind of identification to show.  Sadly I think the article has been pulled, because the link no longer works, so you can’t read it all.

There is a Covid Sympton Tracker on the App Store, that you can download and send in a daily health report.  This will help the authorities to keep track of the virus as it develops.  Once registered it doesn’t take long to do each day.

So tomorrow we hope to bring you news from the Chancellor, and a list of FAQs from the DVSA.  If you have information that you think may be of interest to others, please email me so that I can share it.  And if there is anything that you want from us, please get in touch.

 

 

Whilst our newsflashes are normally a benefit of membership of the ADINJC, during this national emergency we want to share information as widely as possible, so please feel free to pass this on.  We are stronger together.

 

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

You can find the latest NASP guidelines on Coronavirus here.

HMRC Helpline:  0800 0159 559
Citizens Advice Bureau – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

You can sign up to receive Government updates on Coronavirus relating to driving tests here.

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.