What Dreamstart Driving Academy is doing to prevent spread of infection.

Covid-19 guidelines:

Washing hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Using hand sanitiser and sanitiser wipes.

To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.

Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

Other advice:

  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
  • Face forward at all times while driving and stationary

Avoid direct contact with fuel pumps and/or air pressure pumps at the petrol station, and also pay and display ticket machines. If your car is going in/coming out of a garage, others will have been using the controls, so make sure you thoroughly disinfect. Avoid handling cash and get a contactless payment system or use bank transfers.

At the start of each lesson before we get in the car I will:

  • Ask if you have any symptoms
  • Ask you if anyone you know, or have been in contact with, is showing symptoms
  • Ask you if you, or if anyone you have been in contact with, has travelled from a high-risk, infectious region within the last 14 days

Additional precautions:

I will keep windows open for ventilation during the lesson – please bring or wear extra clothes/gloves to keep from getting cold.

I will wipe over the following contact points before and after every lesson – door handles (inside and out), window controls, seat adjusters, steering wheel and steering wheel height adjuster, central mirror and door mirror control, parking brake, gear lever, indicator and wiper stalks and light controls with alcohol-based gel or disinfectant, mixed with antibacterial soap and water and wiped dry.

I have fitted a protective screen which will help reduce to risk during the time in car (see the video below). Talk through and reflection time will take place outside the vehicle at a safe distance, where possible. At this time there will be no option for others to be in the car during lessons. I will need to take any extra precautionary measures during the lesson to keep you, and everyone safe.

I will keep tissues, sanitiser wipes and antibacterial gel in the car and a bin bag to dispose of any rubbish after every lesson, if we are in a test centre waiting room, we will observe the social distancing rule (2m) and make sure a window is open if possible.

Face masks for the general public are not recommended to protect from infection, as there is no evidence of benefit from their use outside healthcare environments. However, if you prefer to wear a face mask then please bring your own.

What I need from you

  • To wash your hands &/or use sanitiser gel just prior to getting into the car.
  • To cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing – so a sleeve or tissue, not your hands.
  • Bring your own face mask if you wish.
  • All payments will be made through BACS

The DVSA is continuing to deliver practical and theory tests for key workers only at present.

Although I would like to continue as normal, the Coronavirus status may inhibit the progress of your training. If/when this guidance changes I will notify all of my clients immediately.

During this time I will not be charging a cancellation fee if you have the symptoms or are required to self isolate for 14 days. 

The DIA is getting reports of students stating their travel plans will be taking them close to, or in known areas of contamination. The DVSA have asked that those students do not attend test, unless self-isolated for 14 days prior – if you are in a known area of contamination I will immediately postpone training until after a period of self isolation has taken place.

We have to be prepared to set new, realistic goals in terms of re-appraising the timeline that you will be able to take your test within. This is not an indictment on you or your ability. It is possible that you may have to self-isolate. I would ask that you to be flexible and realistic with your driving goals in the current climate. My highest priority is our safety and that of our family and friends as well as reducing the risk of spreading the disease generally.