Since lockdown, customers and dealerships have had to get used to unaccompanied test drives. While some have found this a positive with many customers preferring to be able to go out in the car without the sales talk, others have decided it was too much of a risk, especially in those cases where they could not obtain the appropriate insurance cover.
However, with driving instructors being allowed back to work from 4 July 2020, this pretty much gives the green light for accompanied test drives using the same guidelines as issued to Driving Instructors and Driving Examiners.
As such, dealerships will need to adjust their Covid Risk Assessment accordingly and should consider:
- Refusing a test drive if the customer appears unwell.
- Having hand sanitiser available which customer and salesperson must use before getting into the car and when getting out of the car.
- Having face coverings available should either the customer or salesperson prefer to wear one (driving instructors have the choice, driving examiners must wear them). Face shields are not encouraged as could cause injury should an air bag be activated.
- Limiting the number of people on the test drive to driver and salesperson only.
- Having single use disposable gloves available (bear in mind some people have a latex allergy).
- Disposable seat coverings can be used but must be removed after each use.
- Wiping cars down with anti-bacterial wipes or spray after each test drive so door handles inside and out, windows and mirror controls, seat adjusters and head restraints, seatbelt and its connection, gear lever, steering wheel, indicator and wiper stalks and car keys.
- Keeping windows down as much as possible to allow for ventilation
- Avoiding using the air con if possible especially if it is on recirculate.
- Storing PPE waste in disposal rubbish bags and then putting in another bag which is tied securely and set aside for 72 hours before being put with the usual waste.
As a final note, dealers should revisit their privacy policy to ensure they have included the fact that a test driver’s details (and in fact all customers’ details) may be passed on to the NHS Track and Trace service if it becomes necessary for reasons related to Covid 19 and of course they should keep their details for up to 6 months so they can be supplied to any authority in regard to any fines and penalties.
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