DRIVING instructors were able to reopen their lessons to the public this month, having more or less been closed during lockdown. 

Before lockdown measures were eased, instructors were able to continue teaching critical workers but would be fined and reported to the DVSA if they taught anyone else.

Slowly, life is getting back to normal and the same goes for the driving profession - with tests becoming available again from July 22. 

We caught up with owner of Lee’s Driving School, Lee Dixon, to find out how life has changed and what it looks like now. 

Mr Dixon has been a driving instructor for 12 years, he said: “I absolutely love my job, it wasn’t something I’d ever thought of doing until my wife and I had our children, but I thoroughly enjoy it.”

Lessons were able to resume from July 4 and Mr Dixon said he’s taken every precaution to ensure the safety of his students and the public. 

Mr Dixon said: “To keep the car as clean as possible I’m allowing a lot more time between lessons to wipe everything down and do my checks. 

“But this means I am working longer days and taking fewer lessons.”

From spending additional time outside of the car, signing a waiver and a covid questionnaire, to cleaning the vehicle for 45 minutes between each client - Mr Dixon has made public health paramount to the running of his business. 

Across Brighton, driving schools have taken on new levels of hygiene and safety control as well as following government guidelines for all passengers and drivers to wear face masks. 

The Argus:

Mr Dixon said: “I’ve lost about 10 to 12 hours a week from what I was working before.

“But I don’t mind, you’ve got to be positive about it and as long as everyone’s safe that’s what matters.”

However, one thing is for sure, many driving instructors across our city have lost out on precious income as a result of the coronavirus and therefore lack of trade. 

Supporting small businesses means supporting driving instructors, many of whom are self employed. 

Mr Dixon said: “I’m not worried at the moment, but thinking long term towards Christmas time, if we have a recession people won’t have the expendable income and will have to make cutbacks.

“I can’t see people paying for driving lessons.”