Driving Instructors across Ayrshire and Scotland are set to welcome back pupils after months of cancellation due to COVID-19.

Lessons have been given the green light to resume from today, Monday 24th August, as confirmed by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon last week.
The Scottish Government's route map out of lockdown had stated that driving lessons would be able to start again providing that the infection rates continued to decrease.
On September 14th, practical driving tests will restart in Scotland, as confirmed by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency).
Like everything else, new measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of both the pupil and instructor, these include hand sanitising and wearing face masks.
We caught up with instructor Natalie Pankiw, of Pass with Natalie from Troon in Ayrshire, she said:
"All driving instructors welcome the decision by the Scottish Government allowing us to return to conducting driving lessons again from Monday 24 August.

"Our working environment will be changing though as we need to remember the virus hasn’t gone away and we need to keep our pupils and ourselves safe.
"Each pupil will need to make us aware if they have any symptoms of covid or have been in contact with anyone who has, in which case the lesson will not go ahead.
"Hygiene procedures will start before the pupil gets in the car. Hand sanitizer and masks will be available and worn by both instructor and pupil. The car will also be thoroughly sanitized between each lesson.
"I’m looking forward to returning to the job I love, welcoming present and new pupils and helping everyone to progress through to gaining their full driving licence."
One of Natalie's pupils, Lori Provan, was happy to speak with Ayrshire Daily News about getting back behind the driver's seat, she said:

"I am looking forward to getting back in the driver's seat beside Natalie. I originally had a plan of driving into summer, but like most others plans, lockdown had thrown that idea to the back seat. Excited to get back on the road with the best instructor I could ask for!"
Speaking with many instructors across Ayrshire, we have learned that most are doing longer lessons to limit the number of pupils in the car each day.