Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of covid-19 social distancing restrictions on learner drivers.

The Secretary of State for Transport has not had any recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions on learner drivers.

But the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the part of his department responsible for driver training and testing, understands the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on learner drivers. The agency’s priority throughout the pandemic has been the safety of its staff and customers. That remains its priority as it restarts its services. The agency has developed new COVID-safe risk assessments and standard operating procedures and shared them with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Public Health England (PHE). PHE has said they comply with general public health principles and existing guidance for the reduction of virus transmission risk. The DVSA has also sought similar clearances with the respective public health bodies in Scotland and Wales.