UK Lockdown 3: Your Car & Driving Rules Explained

As England once again finds itself under a stringent national lockdown, motorists across the United Kingdom are naturally seeking clarity on what these renewed restrictions mean for their daily driving habits and vehicle maintenance. While there might be a temptation to assume that the measures mirror those introduced in March and November, this third iteration brings with it some notable differences that every driver should be aware of. This comprehensive guide aims to address all the pressing questions you might have, ensuring you navigate these challenging times with confidence and compliance.

Can I Drive My Car At All During Lockdown?

The core principle of the third lockdown is to stay at home, and this extends to driving. While you are allowed to use your car, it must strictly be for purposes that the Government has classified as 'reasonable excuses'. These include essential activities such as shopping for food and other necessities, or for medical appointments. Parents who are deemed essential or key workers are permitted to drive for childcare purposes or to take their children to school, where schools remain open for such children. Other valid reasons include attending medical appointments, assisting an elderly or vulnerable person, volunteering, taking your pet to the vets, attending a place of worship, or for 'life events' such as weddings and funerals, though specific guidance for these occasions must also be adhered to. You can also travel to be with someone who is giving birth, to avoid injury or illness, escape domestic abuse, or to visit someone who is dying. Furthermore, people are allowed to drive if they are moving home.

It is crucial to understand that simply driving to 'get out of the house' is not considered a reasonable excuse, nor does it count as exercise. If stopped by the police without a valid reason, you could face significant fines. The guidance also stresses the importance of staying local when you do need to travel, advising against leaving your village, town, or the part of a city where you live. Motorists are encouraged to 'reduce the number of journeys you make overall'. Leaving home without a reasonable excuse can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, with penalties doubling for subsequent offences up to a maximum of £6,400. Unlike previous lockdowns, there are no plans to close roads.

Car Sharing Rules Under Lockdown

When it comes to car sharing, the rules are stringent due to the difficulty of maintaining social distancing within a vehicle. Motorists should only carry passengers from their own household or those within their established support bubble. If it is absolutely essential to give lifts to someone outside these groups, the government has outlined additional measures that must be taken to minimise risk. These include sharing transport with the same people each time, minimising the group size, opening windows for ventilation, and travelling side by side or behind other people rather than facing them where seating arrangements allow. Passengers should also face away from each other, and seating arrangements should be considered to maximise distance. Crucially, your car should be cleaned between journeys using standard cleaning products, paying particular attention to door handles and other frequently touched surfaces. Both the driver and passengers should also wear a face covering throughout the journey.

Can I Still Get My Car Serviced and MOT Tested?

For many motorists, the uncertainty around vehicle maintenance is a major concern. The good news is that, unlike the initial lockdown at the beginning of last year, garages will remain open throughout this third lockdown period. Vehicle servicing and MOT testing services are among the businesses classified by the government as 'essential businesses' that are permitted to operate. This means there will be no repeat of the MOT test extension period that was put in place from 30 March to 30 September 2020. Your vehicle's MOT must be up to date, and regular servicing can continue as normal, ensuring your car remains roadworthy and safe.

Will Petrol Stations Remain Open During the Third Lockdown?

Yes, petrol stations are included on the list of essential businesses that will remain open for the duration of the lockdown. This includes those located at motorway services, ensuring that essential travel can be supported with necessary fuel. During the first lockdown in March 2020, the price of fuel saw a significant plunge due to a massive drop in demand and an oversupply of petrol and diesel. Some independent filling stations, particularly in rural areas, faced closure. However, during the second lockdown in November, retailers managed to avoid a repeat of these oversupply and storage issues. With this third lockdown, which is initially planned for a shorter duration, a similar dramatic impact on fuel prices or availability is not anticipated. Motorists are, however, still advised to wear gloves while filling up to minimise contact.

Will I Be Able to Get My Car Washed at a Petrol Station After Filling Up?

This is a nuanced point. Automatic car washes that are attached to petrol stations are allowed to remain open during this lockdown. This is primarily because they are often seen as an extension of an essential service and involve minimal human interaction. However, manual hand-wash locations, which typically involve close contact between staff and customers or vehicles, are required to close. Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) and Car Wash Association (CWA), emphasised the importance of automatic car washes for road safety, stating, 'A vehicle with clean windows and mirrors definitely improves road safety, especially in these dark and dirty winter months. This is so important for essential workers, including NHS and all other medical staff.'

Will I Be Able to Buy a New Car?

The car retail sector faces continued challenges under the third lockdown. Both new and used car dealerships and showrooms are forced to close their doors to customers. However, the industry has adapted, and they can continue to provide home deliveries and click & collect sales services. This means that while you cannot browse a showroom in person, you can still place orders for new cars online. Collections will then be made in a socially distanced manner outside of the dealership premises. Industry bodies like the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) have previously advocated for showrooms to remain open, arguing that they are highly Covid-secure environments, no different from garden centres which have been permitted to operate. Manufacturers and franchised networks have invested millions in implementing measures for social distancing, but for now, physical visits remain restricted.

Will Driving Lessons and Tests Be Suspended Again?

Yes, unfortunately, both driving lessons and tests are off-limits for the entirety of the third lockdown period. This suspension applies across England, Wales, and Scotland, and affects all learners, including those who are key workers. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed these restrictions. They have stated that they will contact candidates with further information about their tests as soon as possible and will provide updates as soon as the government makes further announcements. This prolonged suspension continues to be a significant challenge for learner drivers and instructors alike.

My Driving Licence Is About to Expire - Will I Be Able to Get a New One?

Last year, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) implemented an 11-month extension to the validity of photocard driving licences. This measure was introduced as the agency struggled to maintain full services due to much of its Swansea-based workforce operating under a home-working policy. This extension applied to licences that were due to expire between 1 February and 31 December 2020. However, for motorists whose licences are due to expire in 2021, this extension does not apply. You will need to apply for a new licence via the DVLA website to ensure you remain legally compliant on the road.

Will Car Production Continue at Factories?

For the UK's automotive manufacturing sector, there is positive news. UK vehicle plants are permitted to keep their production lines running throughout the third lockdown. Manufacturing is included in the list of workplaces deemed fit to continue operating. The Government has specifically stated that anyone who is unable to work from home, singling out those employed in the manufacturing sector, should continue to travel to their workplaces. This is deemed 'essential to keeping the country operating and supporting vital sectors and employers.' While this provides a crucial lifeline for the industry, most manufacturers are still limited by the number of staff allowed on shifts due to social distancing requirements. Additionally, stricter machinery sanitising processes have contributed to slower assembly lines in recent months, impacting overall output.

Lockdown Rules for Motorists: A Quick Comparison

To provide a clearer picture, here's a brief comparison of key motoring aspects across the various lockdowns:

Frequently Asked Questions for Motorists During Lockdown

Q: What constitutes a 'reasonable excuse' for driving during lockdown?

A: A 'reasonable excuse' for driving includes essential activities like food shopping, attending medical appointments, assisting vulnerable persons, essential childcare for key workers, volunteering, taking pets to the vet, attending places of worship, or for specific life events such as weddings and funerals. Moving home is also permitted. Driving purely for leisure or to 'get out of the house' is not allowed.

Q: Are garages open for car servicing and MOTs?

A: Yes, garages are classified as essential businesses and will remain open throughout the third lockdown. This means you can continue to get your car serviced and MOT tested as normal, with no extensions to MOT deadlines as seen in the first lockdown.

Q: Can I still buy a new car during the lockdown?

A: While physical car showrooms are closed, you can still purchase a new or used car through 'click & collect' services or home delivery. You can place orders online, and arrangements will be made for socially distanced collection or delivery of your vehicle.

Q: Are driving lessons and tests still going ahead?

A: No, driving lessons and tests are currently suspended across England, Wales, and Scotland for the duration of the third lockdown. This applies to all learners, including key workers. The DVSA will provide updates on rescheduling tests once restrictions are eased.

Q: What are the rules for car sharing?

A: You should only car share with members of your own household or support bubble. If essential to share with others, measures like wearing face coverings, opening windows, sitting side-by-side, and cleaning the car between journeys are advised to minimise risk.

Q: Will petrol stations and car washes be open?

A: Petrol stations are open as essential businesses. Automatic car washes attached to petrol stations can also remain open, but manual hand-wash locations are required to close during the lockdown.

Q: How does the lockdown affect my driving licence expiry?

A: An 11-month extension was granted for photocard driving licences that expired between 1 February and 31 December 2020. However, if your licence is due to expire in 2021, you must apply for a renewal via the DVLA website as normal.

Navigating the third national lockdown as a motorist requires careful attention to the specific rules and guidelines. While some aspects remain consistent with previous lockdowns, such as the emphasis on essential travel, key differences like the continued operation of garages and the precise rules for car sales are important to note. By adhering to these regulations, motorists can play their part in curbing the spread of the virus while ensuring their vehicles remain safe and compliant for essential journeys. Always refer to the latest government guidance for the most up-to-date information.

If you want to read more articles similar to UK Lockdown 3: Your Car & Driving Rules Explained, you can visit the Motoring category.