As the instructor I may need to take emergency control during the lesson, such as assisting with steering. This immediate danger outweighs the potential risk of infection. Plastic visors and internal car screens/dividers are not recommended due to potentially affecting insurance, communication and safety features such as airbags. If I do have to take emergency control, at a suitable safe place and opportunity, the controls used will be cleaned. If you do not feel there is sufficient protection please do not attend the lesson. I will be testing myself every Sunday and Monday.
Any precautions we take are intended to reduce risk without compromising the safety of driving, by attending lessons you are agreeing to these measures. If there is anything else you can think of or anything that concerns you please let me know.
Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
:)
Rob
> Click here for the risk assessment file.
> Click here for my Virtual College Prevent COVID-19 certificate.
> Click here to learn about COVID-19 theory test measures.
> Click here to learn about COVID-19 driving test measure.
COVID-19 Risk Assessment Control Measures
It is clear that within the driving school vehicle it is impossible to follow social distancing guidelines and remain 2 metres apart. Due to the practicalities of in-car training, whilst every reasonable measure will be taken, we cannot create a zero risk environment. Pupils will need to remain alert to the risk of spreading this virus and any risks involved. In making your decision to take lessons please bear in mind the following points :
> You must not attend if you or any of your household have any COVID-19 symptoms including a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.
> You must not attend if you or any of your household are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (aged 70+, pregnant, or under 70 with an underlying health condition outlined by the NHS).
> There will be no cancellation fees in these circumstances.
The following are optional measures based on pupil preference :
> Gloves. These are not compulsory, instead I will be focused more on avoiding and minimising contact with shared surfaces, regular hand washing and cleaning the car. However please request if you would like gloves used during your lessons. Please bring your own gloves so they are suitable for your needs and any allergies, although I do have a supply of disposable gloves (latex free) in the car if required.
These are the measures that will be taking place for all driving lessons :
> Anti-bacterial and anti-viral cleaning of the car before and after every lesson.
> Hand washing / hand sanitiser before and after every lesson. There will be hand sanitiser in the car which you can request at any time, although it may be best to bring your own to avoid any allergy issues. I will be going home between every lesson to wash my hands and clean the car.
> Avoiding and minimising contact of shared surfaces, such as pupil record sheets, pens and in car resources.
> Avoiding and minimising as much as possible any face to face communication in car.
> Windows will be down as much as possible during the lesson to allow for ventilation, consider wearing suitable clothing as it might be cooler in the car.
> I will text or call you with health related questions before each lesson and a request to wash or sanitise hands.
> Please try to avoid using cash and instead contact me if you require my bank transfer details.
> No home debriefs, no home theory support and no additional passengers during this time.
> Meeting at the car rather than at the pupils door, no handshakes.
> Masks/Face coverings. Following World Health Organisation and driving test guidance we will default to using face coverings during lessons but do discuss with me any necessary exemptions. We will continually assess the risk of masks reducing communication inside the car and causing glasses to mist up. I have my own reusable masks for myself that will be washed daily. Please bring your own mask/face covering so it is suitable for your needs and any allergies, if there is a problem I do have a supply of disposable masks in the car.
The main symptoms of COVID 19 described by the government are (but not exclusively) :
> A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).
> A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
> A loss of taste or smell.