Who are key workers?
Key workers are people whose jobs are vital to public health and safety during the coronavirus lock-down. Because their work is so vital, the Government is keen to ensure that they are able to carry out their jobs with as little restriction as possible. This includes being able to put their children in school and use necessary transport links.
Health and social care
All NHS staff, including administrative and cleaning workers. Frontline health and social care staff such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, plus support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector.
In addition it includes those working in supply chains including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment.
Education and childcare
Nursery, teachers – including teaching assistants – and social workers.
Food and other necessary goods
Food chain workers, including those involved in production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of goods.
Key public services
Postal workers, those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased, and journalists providing public service broadcasting.
Local and national government
Local and national government workers in admin roles “essential to the effective delivery” of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services, including payment of benefits.
Utility workers
Staff needed to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running. Staff in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and those working to provide essential financial services.
Public safety and national security
Police and support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, and workers responsible for border security, prisons and probation.
Transport
Those keeping air, water, road, and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating.
For the full list, visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
Information for students to book an emergency test if you’re a critical worker
You can still get an emergency test during the suspension period if your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in a critical sector. These include:
- health and social care
- education and childcare
- key public services
- local and national government
- food and other necessary goods
- public safety and national security
- transport
- utilities, communication and financial services
Book an emergency theory test
Email DVSA to ask for an emergency theory test. DVSA will then tell you what you need to send to prove that it’s essential your theory test goes ahead.
Emergency theory tests
critical.worker.theory.test@dvsa.gov.uk
Book an emergency driving test
Email DVSA to ask for an emergency driving test. You must send a photo or a scanned image of a valid ID such as your work ID badge. If you do not have an ID badge you can send:
- an email from a work email address
- evidence from your employer, such as an email or scanned document including company letterhead
- a scan of your payslip
This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis. You also need to tell us:
- your telephone number
- your preferred test location
- the type of test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
- your driving licence number
- the driving test reference number (if you have one)
- your theory test certificate number
If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you with a test date.
Emergency driving tests
critical.worker.driving.test@dvsa.gov.uk