PDI’s Coronoavirus Update
UPDATED 6th April 2020 to include an update on ‘Trainee Licence advice’.
TRAINEE LICENCE ADVICE:
The DVSA’s Registrar and the Policy Manager have clarified the previous ‘example given’ regarding a ‘hold’ or ‘suspension’ of the licence. They have clarified a ‘cut-up’ Trainee Licence will NOT be ‘suspended’ or ‘on hold’ – it will still expire on the original expiration date.
We also recognise the DVSA’s reasoning behind ‘cutting up’ a Trainee Licence and we now agree that this is the right course of action.
We have also included some wording for you to use in your email the the DVSA, below.
Therefore, following clarification from the DVSA Registrar, our advice is:
1) Please cut your Trainee Licence in half;
2) Please take a photo of it and send it to padi@dvsa.gov.uk;
3) Please include the following message in your email;
“Dear Sir/Madam
PRN – Name Address
I write to confirm I have not used my PDI Trainee Licence (TL) since the Prime Minister’s announcement on the 23rd of March 2020 regarding Coronavirus measures.
I understand that as part of the rules of my Licence, that I should return it to you should I be unable to use it. However, as you too have been subject to the strict social restrictions imposed on the 23rd March, I have been awaiting the correct advice from the DVSA as to what to do with my TL.
Therefore, having sought advice from my Sponsor regarding my Sponsorship agreement with them, insurers and other interested parties, and now, as per the advice in the DVSA Document ‘DVSA_Q_A_Driving_Tests_ADI.pdf, point 3.5’ (released last week via the ‘Tier 1 stakeholders’), please find attached a photo of my TL that has been cut in half.
I understand that once the strict social restrictions are relaxed, I need to contact you once more to apply for a re-issue of my licence and that this will be made available prior to any Part 3 test.”
We understand that with a TL destroyed, this appears to remove the need for ‘representations’ (ie ‘evidence’) the DVSA require when issuing a second TL. We understand this will speed up the process of issuing licences when needed.
4) Please check the expiration date of your Trainee Licence today.
IMPORTANT: Some ADI Students will have had a licence that expired at the start of the crisis – if this is the case we suggest that you should apply for a second licence ASAP (if you have not done so already) and then instigate an appeal process if it is refused – others will have months left to run on their licence.
If your licence is due to expire during the lock-down, follow the advice above and specifically ask DVSA for specific advice for your situation ie:
a) when should you apply for a second Trainee Licence;
b) what start date should you put on the application;
Note that it is important to make your questions as clear and specific as possible – otherwise you are likely to get a ‘stock’ answer pointing you to the relevant regulations – which, given the conditions that DVSA staff are working in at present (remote working, excessive workload, etc.) is perfectly understandable.
We will be more than happy to help you with wording etc…
5) Please ensure any completed training declarations (ADI21ATs) are emailed to padi@dvsa.gov.uk.
6) There are some new scenarios we have yet to receive clarification on from the Registrar, but as soon as we get it, we will pass is on to you.
Please keep checking our advice on this page and https://www.adimasterclass.co.uk/coronavirus/
TRAINING:
With the Government advice to now STAY AT HOME until April 13th, we feel it goes without saying that all training scheduled must now be postponed.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact us in the first instance. training.support@smartdriving.co.uk
Please don’t rearrange any training with your trainer!
Our advice (as of today’s date) is that once the Government confirm the temporary restrictions will be lifted on April 13th, then we will contact you and your trainer with news about rearranging training.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS AND PDI SURGERIES:
Dut to the facts that 1) we are not out teaching, and 2) the take up is almost nil, we regret any scheduled Virtual Classroom and PDI Surgeries will now be cancelled.
However, during this period of ‘lockdown’, we are putting on additional webinars, Virtual Classroom and PDI Surgeries on Part 2 and Part 3 training that are more generic.
These will be training with Q&A discussions with our Head Trainers. We hope these will provide a vital tool in keeping your training on track, keeping you informed and also adding to your knowledge and training.
Please keep an eye on your email inboxes – especially your junk and spam for new as we release details of these.
Of course if you have any training related questions, we will be more than happy to chat with you.
TESTS:
It appears as of the 26th March 2020 that the DVSA have started to rearrange postponed tests. If you are expecting a test to be rearranged, please keep an eye on your email inboxes – especially your junk and spam.
If you receive notification of a rearranged test or you have any questions, please email us at the support team, and we will be able to help: training.support@smartdriving.co.uk
For more test advice please see: DVSA/GOV test advice
PDIs:
If you are a PDI being sponsored by us, the above is even more imperative that you keep us informed of any updates.
We are actively seeking clarification from the DVSA on all subjects from Trainee Licence timeframes to 2nd licence applications. We will relay and keep you informed as we get it.
Below is a list of questions asked of the DVSA:
DVSA PDI FAQ’s:
Please see the ‘DVSA_Q_A_Driving_Tests_ADI.pdf’
If you have any questions, please email us at the support team, and we will be able to help: training.support@smartdriving.co.uk
Below we give an overview of the Chancellor’s Self Employed Support:
Support for the Self Employed – highlights
• The introduction of a Self Employed Income Support Scheme
• Comprises of a taxable grant of up to 80% of your monthly income, capped at £2,500 per month
• Those eligible can claim the grant and also still continue to do business
• To make the scheme fair, only those who have trading profits of up to £50,000 are eligible
• Only those who have filed a 2019 tax return will be eligible
• If you missed the January 2019 deadline, you can file in the next 4 weeks (the clock starts today on that) and still be eligible
• Grant will be paid monthly and for an initial 3 month period, the Chancellor will consider an extension if necessary
• If you have only completed tax returns over one year, your eligibility will be assessed on that
• If you have three year’s returns, or more, your grant will be assessed on the average of those
• Scheme will be managed by HMRC and payments made to your designated bank account by them
• Timeline is to start grants being available at the start of June – you will apparently receive 3 months at once in June
• Income tax payments, due in July, will be deferred to January 2021
• July deadline for self-assessment deferred to January.
• Self Employed will also have access to Business Interruption Loan
Measures to help small businesses
• A range of grants and loans will be available to small businesses across the UK
• Employers can apply for grants via HMRC to help cover employee salaries – the Chancellor has said the government will pay 80% of wages for employees who are not working, up to £2,500 a month.
• Business rates have been cut
• VAT payments will be deferred for the next quarter
The government has set up a special website giving lots of information and guidance about the support available. More details on measures to help small businesses, more detail available here
Other measures to help the self-employed
• Next Self-Assessment payments deferred to January 2021
• You can apply for Universal Credit now – minimum income floor suspended for self-employed, so can claim universal credit
• Self-employed workers will have quicker and easier access to benefit support during the coronavirus pandemic
• Working Tax credits allowance will be increased by £1000 Financial Hardship Resources
• Lenders will offer 3 month payment holidays for mortgages
• Tenants will be given extra financial support – the Chancellor pledged £1bn of support for renters
• Housing benefit minimum increased to 30 per cent of market rent
• Landlords cannot evict tenants for 3 months
• Universal credit allowance increased by £1,000
For more in-depth advice on eligibility for and access to benefits such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, guidance on dealing with any household or business financial liabilities etc., members can also look for guidance and contact the following –
Money Saving Advice Service – free and impartial money advice, set up by government
Citizens Advice Bureau
MoneySavingExpert – this link specifically details advice related to Coronavirus
HMRC Helpline: 0800 0159 559
