“All driving schools in containment zones shall remain closed and those situated outside the containment zones will be allowed to function. Social distancing, wearing masks and other COVID-19 related protocols released by the State and central governments should be followed by the driving schools,” Chief Secretary K Shanmugam said in the order.

According to the SOP, those above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidity and pregnant women have been advised to avoid driving schools. As far as theory classes are concerned, the driving schools have been directed to observe sufficient gap in timing between classes. The study materials should be given in advance. Driving schools have also been asked to prefer online classes in case of group theory classes.

In case of in-vehicle training, only three persons including the instructor are allowed in the vehicle in which the training is given. All the training vehicles should be cleaned with sanitisers before and after each training session.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had announced that driving schools would be allowed to function from August 10, and added that the government would release the SOP for operating them.