News that Macclesfield's learner drivers and riders will be able to start their lessons from 4 July has been welcomed by two local instructors, but uncertainty remains.

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will begin a phased resumption of driving tests following the easing of restrictions in Step Three of the government's planned easing of lockdown restrictions.

Theory tests will restart in England on Saturday 4 July. The tests will take place with social distancing measures in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Car driving tests will restart in England on Wednesday 22 July, which will give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons and practice before taking their test.

The phased restart to testing:

• 4 July – driving and riding lessons and Compulsory Basic Training to restart (England only)

• 4 July – theory test restarts for all candidates – including Approved Driving Instructor part 1 tests (England only)

• 6 July – expanding critical worker driving tests to more applicants (Great Britain)

• 6 July – trainer booker service for practical driving tests reopens to motorcycle trainers and vocational instructors (Trainers will only be able to book tests at tests centres in England)

• 13 July – motorcycle and vocational tests start (England only)

John Wright, owner of Turn Wright Driving School told Macclesfield Nub News that while it "feels great to be able to get back to work", he is frustrated with the lack of communication from the government.

He said: "It's been quite a frustrating time because we've been limited to no from the DVSA until now.

"We're still waiting for clarification on how we're going to phase back in and how we're going to treat our pupils and how we're going to clean the car between lessons, so it's still a bit confusing."

Geoff Capes, who runs a local driving school bearing his name, echoed the sentiment about the DVSA, describing their communication as "horrendous" throughout the lockdown.

Some of the measures that Mr Wright is planning to put in place when he starts back on 7 July is to shorten lessons from 90 minutes to an hour, keep the car well ventilated and clean it between lessons.

Asked if he had a message to any learner drivers who might be nervous about taking lessons, Mr Wright said: "We're going to be keeping the car as clean as possible and we'll be calling them before I come out. We're giving people the option to cancel with no charge and we'll be in touch with them again when they feel safe."

Mr Capes has drawn on his lockdown experience of working at a coronavirus testing site and developed a new routine with his pupils.

This will include:

1. Meeting outside the car, while socially distant.
2. Ask if the pupil or a family member has had any symptoms in the last 24 hours. If yes, the lesson is called off.
3. Both the pupil and instructor will then sanitise their hands
4. A mask will be offered, but it won't be mandatory unless the DVSA guidelines say so.
5. Following the lesson, the debrief will take place outside the car
6. After the lesson, the instructor will then use a water and bleach solution to sanitise the touchpoints in the car.

"Whatever guidelines the DVSA publish, they can't be too far away from what I am putting in place. The only thing that could change is mandatory face masks," Mr Capes said.

DVSA Chief Executive Gareth Llewellyn said: "It has been vital that lessons and tests only resume when safe to do so and in line with the government's advice."

You can find out more information about Turn Wright Driving School and Geoff Capes Driving School on their Facebook pages.