Can I Drive During Lockdown?

The UK is now in lockdown to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, which means that we all need to stay indoors unless it is for an essential reason. Many motorists are now wondering what the rules are regarding driving during the lockdown period.

Can I drive during the coronavirus lockdown period?

On Monday 22^nd March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement that was broadcast to the nation announcing that the UK will go into lockdown for 3 weeks. The lockdown period will then be reviewed at the end of the 3-week period to decide whether it will be extended.

In the statement, Boris Johnson listed four reasons people could leave the house which are:

·Shopping for necessities as infrequently as possible.

·One form of exercise a day – a run, walk, or cycle alone or with members of your household.

·Any medical need or to provide care or help to a vulnerable member of the community.

·Travelling to and from work, but only where this is necessary and cannot be done from home.

There are no specific rules around driving your vehicle during the lockdown period, however, you should only be using your car for these essential reasons only. This can include going to your local supermarket for the grocery shop or a pharmacy to pick up medicine.

If you are a vulnerable person or live with someone at risk, you have been advised to use home delivery services. Thankfully, many local businesses are now offering delivery services for this reason.

Key workers are permitted to use their car to travel to work. Driving is permitted for key workers to take their children to school, or if the students are classed as vulnerable.

If you do venture out, it is important that you abide by the social distancing rules. The government made the decision to ban gatherings of more than two people, and this also applies to using a car.

We understand that the weather is picking up in the UK and people now want to go out and make the most of it, but essential travel does not include taking a holiday, so do not visit holiday houses or caravan parks!!

My MOT test is due, but the UK is in lockdown, what does this mean? https://mycarneedsa.com/blog/update-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-6-month-mot-exemption

Can you drive during lockdown to do exercise?

Everyone needs to play their part to help the UK recover from this pandemic. If we abide by the rules set out by the government, the sooner the restrictions will be lifted. Despite the good weather coming, we need to stay at home to protect the NHS and save people’s lives.

The government clarified last week that you must stay local for your daily hour of exercise, the updated guidelines state that anyone exercising outside their home during the lockdown should “not travel unnecessarily”.