Now the DVSA Invents its own law

Who needs a democratically elected parliament when the DVSA can make its own laws up? In yet another U-Turn (or should that be "carried out a turn in the road") from the DVSA they reversed their initial statement that private practice is allowed in England, and now state that private practice, even on an essential journey is NOT allowed. 

Leaving the house just for private practice is clearly not allowed under the regulations, it's not one of the listed exemptions, but the (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations (Google it) contain no restrictions that we can see on learners driving on essential journeys. Perhaps we've read it wrong?

We've also seen recent written confirmation from at least three Police Forces stating that learners can drive under the regulations if they are carrying out an essential journey. 

Presumably the next DVSA diktat will be banning all Motorbike CBT holders from riding on L plates as well? 

If not, can the DVSA or NASP please point to where in the law it says that Category B learners are not allowed to drive on essential journeys, but that Category A Learners can ride on essential journeys?

Or will there be yet another U-turn where they are forced to admit that this is only advice?

As usual NASP ("your trade association") nodding donkeys haven't challenged the legal basis for this at all. (Side note: Didn't they send an email to the CEO of the DVSA about a month ago? Despite the claimed close working relationship, we're all still waiting expectantly to hear a reply)

Of course, the knock-on effect of all this will be, at the eventual end of the lockdown, after three months where learners haven't been able to drive (According to the DVSA) they will immediately start driving tests the following day, and at the same time send out emails to us saying "don't bring unprepared pupils to test" 

And still no news about what the DVSA intend to do about PDIs approaching the end of their two-year qualification period,who have been unable to get training or tests due to the lockdowns. Why don't the DVSA make their own law up about that instead, so that thousands of PDIs aren't written off?

Please sign the petition and continue to pass it on to your colleagues so that there can be an independent enquiry into the DVSA where it can be held to account fully.