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UPDATE: the latest advice from the government makes it clear that non-essential travel in England over greater distances is now allowed. We have been receiving a lot of enquiries so have put together the guidance below to ensure you stay within the law as you take your classic car out again.

New government advice has indicated that exercise and travel restrictions have – to some extent – been relaxed.

While all key workers, and anyone else needing to travel for essential journeys, have been free to use their classic car for transport during the pandemic, the latest advice urges common sense around taking your car out for leisure drives.

It’s vitally important that enthusiasts drive with real care and consideration, as tougher lockdown measures could very quickly be reintroduced if guidelines are not adhered to.  

Can I take my classic for a leisurely drive during the Coronavirus pandemic?

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet changed their advice of ‘Stay Home’, but residents of England are being told to ‘Stay Alert’. From Wednesday 13^th May, you are allowed to:  

• Sit in your local park
• Play sports with members of your own household
• Drive to other destinations (though not crossing into devolved nations)
• Meet one other person if they maintain social distancing of 2m and use common sense.

Whilst there’s no obvious reason why you can’t take your pride and joy to a location to relax from 13^th May, we’d urge ALL drivers to consider these important points:

• The pandemic is NOT over – the lives of our families and friends are still in the balance
• Check your car over carefully if it’s not been used for a while, paying particular attention to tyres and brakes
• Maintain social distancing of 2m at all times
• If you have previously declared your classic on SORN, be sure to update it with the DVLA
• If you didn't renew your car insurance policy during lockdown, do it now. To help with this, Lancaster Insurance is offering a £15 discount on all new policies, by simply quoting DISC15 when speaking to an agent or getting a quote online. (T&Cs apply*). Call today on 01480 400 927 to speak to a member of the team
• If your classic needs one, do you have an MOT? The six month extension only applies to cars that were due an MOT AFTER 30^th March
• Do NOT drive out in groups – the government states that we must not meet more than one other person from outside our household, and we must maintain social distancing of 2m
• The government has clarified that ‘people may drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance so long as they respect social distancing guidance while they are there’ but it’s important large groups of classic car owners do not congregate in particular areas
• You are an ambassador for classic car ownership – the roads may be quieter but we urge you to drive with care and consideration
• Be respectful of all other road users
• Do not drive across the Scottish and Welsh borders unless necessary as, currently, those countries are yet to change their rules.

It’s important to remember that the changes in guidance are scheduled to come into effect from Wednesday 13^th May, so be sure to review the most up-to-date advice from the government.

Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager at Lancaster Insurance, comments: “Whilst the government has still kept some important measures in place, its great news that we can now use our classics for non-essential travel, for instance when we are driving to a location for exercise. 

As always we’d encourage enthusiasts to be diligent with their vehicles and if they haven’t been used in a while to make the necessary checks before setting off on their journey. Also with numbers on the road set to increase, it’s more important than ever to make sure you have the right protection in place.”