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 during this time.
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.
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.
These are the measures that will be taking place for 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.
> 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.
> You will receive a text 48 hours before your lesson to remind you of your lesson. It will also remind you to bring your PPE and to check your health and notify your instructor if you have any symptoms.
> Please try to avoid using cash and instead contact your instructor if you require their bank transfer details or to check they can take contactless payments.
> During this time your instructor will not enter your home.
> No additional passengers will be allowed in to the car during your lessons. This will also include having your instructor in the car during your test.
> Meeting at the car rather than at the pupils door, no handshakes.
> Masks/Face coverings. Following World Health Organisation 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 let your instructor know ASAP.
The following are optional measures based on pupil preference :
Gloves. These are not compulsory, instead your instructor will be focused more on avoiding and minimising contact with shared surfaces, regular hand washing and cleaning the car. If you would like to wear gloves please bring your own gloves so they are suitable for your needs and any allergies, although your instructor may have a supply of disposable gloves in the car if required.
Your instructor 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 your instructor does 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 talk to your instructor. If the issues cannot be resolved please do not attend the lesson.
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.
We have written a company risk assessment to help keep you safe. Please note that your instructor may have slightly different policies based on their individual circumstances. Please ask your instructor if you would more details or discuss you needs with them.
Feel free to ask us any questions you may have.
Better Driver Training
0800 118 5038