News

Driving tests in England resume today – here’s what’s changed

New Government guidelines have confirmed that all drivers must bring and wear a face covering when they turn up for their test, with some exceptions.

The Manc The Manc - 22nd July 2020
Orkun Azap / Unsplash

Driving test centres in England can finally resume examinations from today (22 July) – as hundreds of budding drivers across the country queue up to try and finally earn their licenses.

Whilst lessons returned earlier this month, practical driving exams have remained banned since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in March – meaning that no tests have taken place in England for over four months.

Given how tests involve the close proximity of drivers and passengers in a confined space, it is perhaps unsurprising that driving tests have taken so long to return.

However, the process won’t be quite the same as before.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is making a number of changes to keep learners and testers safe during exams.

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Here’s what you need to know.

Lê Minh / Pexels

Face coverings

From 22 July, both learners and examiners will need to wear face coverings when they are inside the vehicle during driving tests.

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According to new DVSA guidelines, the learner is responsible for bringing and wearing their own mask, unless they have a good reason not to.

Reasonable excuses include:

  • a physical/mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot wear a face covering
  • if wearing a face covering would cause you severe distress
  • removing the mask during your test to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others

Seat coverings and social distancing

Testers may also choose to wear gloves and use disposable seat covers during the journey.

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Driving instructors will not be permitted to ride along in the backseat like they were pre-pandemic.

Test centres will now also stagger arrivals, with social distancing measures in place in the vicinity.

The amount of time spent inside the vehicle will also be limited. In fact, examiners will now ask learners to exit the car before informing them of their test results.

JESHOOTS.com / Pexels

How do I book my new test?

If you had not booked a test before lockdown, you cannot do so right now.

The DVSA is currently prioritising a queue of learners who had their scheduled tests cancelled due to lockdown.

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Anyone who has previously booked a test should be sent an email by the DVSA confirming their new exam date.

It may take “several weeks” to arrive, due to the backlog.

You can sign up for alerts to inform you when driving test centres take bookings again.

Where can I take a driving test?

Driving tests can now take place anywhere in England.

However, they remain suspended for any areas in a local lockdown – such as Leicester.

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Driving tests will restart in Wales on Monday 17 August. They remain suspended in Scotland, but motorcycle and tractor tests will begin again on 3 August.

Anyone who has coronavirus symptoms – or lives with someone showing symptoms – cannot take a test.

You may be able to apply for an emergency test if you urgently need a license for critical work. This includes:

  • health and social care
  • education and childcare
  • key public services
  • local and national government
  • food and other necessary goods
  • public safety and national security
  • transport
  • utilities, communication and financial services

Learn more by visiting the Government website.

News

Independent review into police actions during Manchester synagogue terror attack finds ‘no misconduct’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant GMP synagogue attack

An independent review into the terror attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall last week has concluded there was ‘no misconduct’ by the police.

The investigation was carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the shocking knife and car attack, which took place last Thursday 2 October on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

Two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who is believed to have been shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.

The attacker has been named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.

The IOPC says its investigation is ‘mandatory’ in situations where police use of force may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.

Their investigation looked at the actions and decision-making of the officers involved in the incident.

“Over the coming days, we will continue to review the substantial amount of evidence gathered up to now, and will begin the process of obtaining more detailed statements from police witnesses,” the IOPC said in a statment.

GMP’s Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson, says he ‘welcomes’ the IOPC’s finding that no misconduct is apparent in the actions required of officers in ‘bringing this dreadful attack to an end’.

GMP synagogue attack
An independent review into police actions during the Manchester synagogue terror attack has found ‘no misconduct’ / Credit: GMP

He said in a statement addressing the matter: “Our thoughts will always be with the families and loved ones of those directly affected by this tragedy together with the wider community across Greater Manchester and beyond. Our significant presence and determination to protect everyone from all faith communities across our city region will continue unabated.”

With the IOPC’s investigation into the incident still ongoing, CC Watson assured ‘GMP is committed to openness, transparency, and candour’.

“In respect of all our previous dealings with [al Shamie], and we have therefore asked the IOPC to include this aspect in their ongoing review,” CC Watson continued.

Read more:

“This includes previous reports of harassment, and an arrest for reports of rape over the past year, for which he was on bail at the time of the attack.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Breakaway competition R360 issues statement after rubgy unions warn players of sanctions

Danny Jones Danny Jones R360 league respond to joint statement from rugby unions opposing breakaway competition

Prospective breakaway competition R360 have issued a response to the joint statement from multiple countries’ rugby unions, which has warned players of sanctions should they choose to join the new league.

While the vast majority seemingly remain opposed to the new concept, backing from certain key figures has resulted in the likes of the UK and Irish rugby unions, along with other key nations, sharing their unified stance against the potential rival.

Put in the simplest terms, the R360 model is rugby’s equivalent of what the proposed European ‘Super League’ was for football just a few years ago, with similar questions being raised around how it could jeopardise existing contests, player wellbeing and more.

Now, though, the new format – which has been largely backed and developed by former World Cup winner with England, Mike Tindall – delivered its own reply on Wednesday, 8 October.

Shared publicly to the press, the alternative tournament wrote: “It’s not always easy to embrace new opportunities, but as we’ve seen throughout history, it’s essential for any sport to grow. So many players love what R360 can do for them and the game, and we can’t wait to kick off next year.

“Player welfare is one of the key reasons for creating our global series, which will greatly reduce player load and capture the attention of a new generation of fans globally. We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written into their contracts. Our philosophy is clear – if players want to play for their country, they should have that opportunity. Why would the unions stand in their way?

“We look forward to submitting to the World Rugby Council for sanctioning next summer as planned.”

At present, R360 is due to hold its inagural season this time next year, with eight new male teams and four women’s sides expected to get underway from October 2026 onwards.

In addition to more lucrative contracts like those promised in the IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket, LIV Golf and the aforementioned albeit failed Super League, R360 is also set to offer a reduced playing schedule but one that would still tempt athletes away from their current teams to new franchises.

Although they have assured player care is an utmost priority, their health and fitness is one of my concerns put forward by the total eight rubgy unions who have urged current pros to stay away from the breakaway competition.

In case you haven’t seen the statement release by England, Ireland and Scotland, as well as France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, it begins by “urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition.”

Assuring that they welcome “investment and innovation in rugby”, they feel this particular idea won’t improve the sport but could instead “fragment or weaken it.”

Having assessed the proposals supposed value/addition to the “rugby’s global ecosystem”, it seems the fear is that the outcome will be a “net negative to the game”, with little to no detail as to how it can run alongside existing fixtures, assure proper management of player welfare and more.

As for Wales, despite opting not to put their name to the open letter itself, they have stated publicly: “The Welsh Rugby Union supports this statement, and we’re considering changes we may need to make to qualification rules in Wales as part of ongoing analysis following our recent consultation process.”

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The statement continues: “The R360 model, as outlined publicly, rather appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways.”

It seems there is deep concern for how it could affect grassroots and the international rugby too, not just league and union, and have failed to full explain or help key organisations “better understand their business and operating model.”

Most notably, they sign off by adding: “Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection.”

What do you make of the whole debate – do you like the current schedule/format as it is, or do you think there’s room for a new chapter in the rugby world?

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Featured Images — Rawpixel.com/Public domain

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