The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced changes to practical and driving theory tests in Wales.
In an email update to people who have driving tests booked in the coming weeks, the Agency confirmed it would lift many of the restrictions it introduced during the pandemic on Monday, March 7, in line with some Welsh Government restrictions having ended on February 28.
Among the changes for prospective drivers, driving test examiners will no longer end a test early - unless someone's driving is "so poor it is a risk to their safety and that of other road users".
Read more: Driving test changes will see longer waits for people who fail
During the pandemic, as soon as a prospective student failed their test, for example by receiving one "major" or "dangerous" fault, or 15 minor faults, their driving test would end straight away. But, from March 7, prospective drivers will be able to finish the route to give them the "full-test experience" of a driving test - unless their driving puts others at risk.
Here's all the changes to driving tests in Wales coming into action from March 7, as detailed by the DVSA:
Tests will no longer end early
The DVSA explained: "From March 7, our driving examiners will no longer end tests early to reduce the amount of close contact between you and an examiner.
"This means you will be able to continue with your test if you carry out a serious or dangerous fault to give you the full-test experience.
"Your test will only end early if your examiner assesses that your driving risks their and your safety and that of other road users. This has always been our policy."
Clean Vehicles
During the pandemic, some driving tests have been cancelled due to the inside of the prospective driver's vehicle being dirty or messy.
But after March 7, driving tests will no longer be cancelled for this reason.
The DVSA said: "We will no longer be cancelling driving tests if the inside of the car you use on your test is not clean.
"However, we still encourage you or your instructor to clean and tidy the inside of the car you bring to your test in-line with good hygiene."
Face coverings
Face-coverings are still required during driving lessons and driving tests in Wales, unless medically exempt.
The DVSA said: "You are still legally required to wear a face covering on your driving test and professional driving lessons.
"You must have told us if you are exempt from wearing a face covering when you booked your test. This will allow us to arrange for your test to be carried out by an examiner who has volunteered to test candidates who are exempt from wearing a face covering.
"Your test will be cancelled if you come without a face covering and you did not say that you could not wear one in advance."
Driving instructors sitting in on tests
During driving tests in Wales, the only people permitted in the vehicle are the examiner and the prospective driver.
The DVSA said: "Your driving instructor or accompanying driver still can't sit in on your driving test in Wales in-line with the Welsh Government's guidance. We will keep this under review."
If you test positive for coronavirus
"If you are self-isolating you must not attend your driving test and should follow the latest guidance from the Welsh Government on GOV.Wales," the update from the DVSA reads. "You should email us at customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk with the subject title 'Covid-19 short notice cancellation' to rearrange your test.
"You will need to include the following details in your email: your driving licence number, your driving test booking reference. We will then contact you to help rearrange the test. You will not have to pay again."
Taking rapid lateral flow tests
The DVSA said: "We continue to ask you to take a rapid lateral flow rest before your test if you don't have Covid-19 symptoms. We are asking that you do this on the day of your test, before you leave home.
"You can find out more about taking a rapid lateral flow rest before taking a driving test on Gov.uk."
To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free click here.
