Non-coronahysterical driving instructors in Surrey

[londiscape]

Would be interested to know any driving instructors who are not of a bedwetting persuasion in the Epsom, Surrey area? Appreciate this might be a shot to nothing in light of yesterday but I'm given to understand that working is still permitted, and not even the most ardent coronastasi can claim that driving instructors can work from home :-)

I'm male, mid 30s, attempted a test when I was 17 (failed) and abandoned after that. Circumstances in the last year mean I now need to get on the road and I'm looking for a good few catch-up hours with a professional instructor in an automatic transmission vehicle to get me to the point where I can go out and practise under supervision of friends/family, eventually looking to be in a good place to take the test when all this lockdown bull is over. I have my own car, an automatic Volkswagen Golf of 2002 vintage, and am happy to use this or the instructor's own automatic car.

I will not be wearing a mask.

Would be grateful to hear from any driving instructors in the area who would be sympathetic to providing instruction as normal (the real normal, that is...)

Many thanks

Edited by londiscape on Tuesday 5th January 10:23

[InitialDave]

londiscape said:

I will not be wearing a mask.

This will likely sink your chances of finding someone.

[fozzymandeus]

Just book yourself in for a test.

[Evanivitch]

londiscape said:

I will not be wearing a mask.

Do they scare you?

[G600]

Can't say I blame them

[Travs]

May I refer you to this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[DanielSan]

londiscape said:

I will not be wearing a mask.

Edited by londiscape on Tuesday 5th January 10:23

Then it's likely you'll be st out of luck.

Whether they're effective or not, is it that hard to not be a prick and just wear one?

[londiscape]

InitialDave said:

This will likely sink your chances of finding someone.

Yeah, that's been a problem when trying to find people through the usual channels, hence posting on here hoping for more luck - lurking in NP&E shows that there are at least some sensible rational people around here, a lot of other places might as well be bloody mumsnet for all the blind hysteria.

[InitialDave]

Being able to do things a certain way even if you think it's incorrect or unnecessary is an important part of passing a driving test.

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

londiscape said:

Yeah, that's been a problem when trying to find people through the usual channels, hence posting on here hoping for more luck - lurking in NP&E shows that there are at least some sensible rational people around here, a lot of other places might as well be bloody mumsnet for all the blind hysteria.

Can I ask what your rationalle is for not wearing a mask, do you not believe Covid-19 Exists, do you not believe that masks do anything?

I believe that sensible rational people are following the science that shows masks help to prevent the spread of a potentially deadly disease, and are looking to protect people who may be vulnerable, or have vulnerable relatives.

[ayeaye]

DVSA have been clear that driving lessons must not take place during Tier 4 and now lockdown.

Good luck finding an instructor willing to go against this clear instruction. There will be some no doubt.

[londiscape]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

Can I ask what your rationalle is for not wearing a mask

I'm exempt.

Not going into any further detail, but if I was forced to wear one behind the wheel of a car I believe I would be dangerous to me, my instructor and other road users.

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

do you not believe Covid-19 Exists, do you not believe that masks do anything?

Aside from the exemption, I believe the actual, real science demonstrates the latter (that they're completely useless, potentially even actively harmful), but probably off-topic to have a debate about that here.

[londiscape]

ayeaye said:

DVSA have been clear that driving lessons must not take place during Tier 4 and now lockdown.

Good luck finding an instructor willing to go against this clear instruction. There will be some no doubt.

Dammit - I didn't know that. I had assumed that it fell under the "work that can't be done from home" thing. Thanks for the info, appreciate it.

[Andy 308GTB]

londiscape said:

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

Can I ask what your rationalle is for not wearing a mask

I'm exempt.

Now you tell us...

[ayeaye]

londiscape said:

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

Can I ask what your rationalle is for not wearing a mask

I'm exempt.

Another thing to consider around masks and tests - assuming Tiers make a comeback after lockdown ends, and masks are required for lessons / tests, you need to declare that you won’t be wearing a mask when booking a test. It’s then up to examiners whether they will take that test. So pretty much no mask, no test unless you happen to have examiners locally who will take candidates out without wearing a mask.

In the Tier 3 guidance, I believe it was stated that mask-less tests would be postponed until the area moved into a lower tier and then would be case of finding a willing examiner to take the test.

So if you can practice driving / being a passenger just now whilst wearing a mask to get used to it, it might be more beneficial if you need to get driving sooner rather than later otherwise could be waiting longer for a test than necessary.

[londiscape]

Andy 308GTB said:

Now you tell us...

There was a reason why I didn't mention it at first. I believe there has to be a certain level of "trust relationship" between an instructor and learner. Hence I was more looking for someone who is actually sympathetic to doing things as normal, rather than someone who thinks anyone without a mask is some disease-ridden plague vector but keeps quiet because they're scared anyone exempt might sue them for discrimination. That wouldn't do any favours for either party so would be better avoided.

[londiscape]

ayeaye said:

Another thing to consider around masks and tests - assuming Tiers make a comeback after lockdown ends, and masks are required for lessons / tests, you need to declare that you won’t be wearing a mask when booking a test. It’s then up to examiners whether they will take that test. So pretty much no mask, no test unless you happen to have examiners locally who will take candidates out without wearing a mask.

In the Tier 3 guidance, I believe it was stated that mask-less tests would be postponed until the area moved into a lower tier and then would be case of finding a willing examiner to take the test.

So if you can practice driving / being a passenger just now whilst wearing a mask to get used to it, it might be more beneficial if you need to get driving sooner rather than later otherwise could be waiting longer for a test than necessary.

Thanks for this, good advice, appreciate it. I did spot the declaration requirement when I was looking up procedures for test booking back in November - and figured this might be a problem for the actual test itself. I fear the mask wearing won't be an option, so until this nonsense is over, if I can't find a willing examiner the best I'll manage will be to get to the point where I can go on the provisional accompanied by persons legally allowed to supervise learners.

[InitialDave]

londiscape said:

There was a reason why I didn't mention it at first. I believe there has to be a certain level of "trust relationship" between an instructor and learner. Hence I was more looking for someone who is actually sympathetic to doing things as normal, rather than someone who thinks anyone without a mask is some disease-ridden plague vector but keeps quiet because they're scared anyone exempt might sue them for discrimination. That wouldn't do any favours for either party so would be better avoided.

If you have a genuine, evidenced reason why you cannot wear a mask, people will be more likely to try and find a way they can help you still go about your business normally.

If you just say "I won't be wearing a mask", I'm afraid you'll be generally seen as being one of the idiots who simply doesn't want to wear one.

[Evanivitch]

londiscape said:

There was a reason why I didn't mention it at first. I believe there has to be a certain level of "trust relationship" between an instructor and learner. Hence I was more looking for someone who is actually sympathetic to doing things as normal, rather than someone who thinks anyone without a mask is some disease-ridden plague vector but keeps quiet because they're scared anyone exempt might sue them for discrimination. That wouldn't do any favours for either party so would be better avoided.

What trust should an instructor have that you are not an asymptomatic carrier? Have you been isolating?

Masks don't protect the user. The prevent spreading from infected people. You not wearing a mask does not put you at risk, it puts the instructor/examiner at increased risk.

You are free to declare an exemption, and different people will have different appetite to entertain that risk that you present.

[Miserablegit]

londiscape said:

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

Can I ask what your rationalle is for not wearing a mask

I'm exempt.

Not going into any further detail, but if I was forced to wear one behind the wheel of a car I believe I would be dangerous to me, my instructor and other road users.

Then you should probably not be on the road in control of a vehicle under any circumstances.