The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has provided details of when driving lessons and driving tests could resume in England, with plans to delay the return of driving tests.

Previously, the DVSA said that tests would not start any earlier than 12 April but has now detailed plans to start tests later that month, to allow lessons to restart first.

Driving tests have been suspended since the start of the year and since the announcement of the roadmap out of lockdown the agency has been working to establish a timetable for driving lessons, theory tests and practical driving tests to resume.

Now, the DVSA has said that, pending a progress review, lessons with professional instructors will be allowed to resume on Monday, 12 April.

Theory and practical tests will then resume on Thursday, 22 April.

Last week one of the country’s biggest driving schools called for lessons to resume before tests in order to give learners time to prepare.

Announcing the planned schedule, the DVSA said: “We know many of you want the opportunity to carry out lessons and training before we restart driving tests and we agree with this.

“Therefore tests are due to restart 10 days later on Thursday 22 April, if government guidance allows.”

The new dates are subject to a review of the Government’s roadmap measures on 5 April and, unless that indicates a delay in the easing of restrictions it is likely that they will go ahead as proposed.

Any learner whose test date was rescheduled for between 12 and 22 April will automatically have their test rescheduled.

Confirming that it was rescheduling lessons once again, the agency said: “We know pupils with tests booked between 12 and 22 April will be disappointed. But it’s important that candidates have adequate time to practise with a professional instructor before they come to test.

Restarting lessons ten days ahead of tests will give [instructors] chance to provide pupils with professional refresher training before they take their test.”

It added: “In the meantime, pupils can continue to practise driving with an accompanying driver from within their household, as long as it’s part of an essential journey. We will update learner drivers and approved driving instructors when this changes.”