With the pandemic holding back driving lessons and tests from taking place, there may have been far fewer reasons for anyone to buy a car bumper than usual. But all that has changed this week.

The latest easing of lockdown restrictions has enabled driving lessons to resume and for learners to book their tests. From teenagers keen to get their licence as soon as possible to older drivers making their umpteenth attempt at passing, this month has renewed the opportunities to finally get their wheels and chuck the L plates away.

While some people might have been picking up car parts for their family vehicles in expectation of adding a new driver to the list of insured people allowed behind the wheel, others may find they need them soon as road-rusty learners return to the road and struggle to get back in the habit.

The resumption of tests last week (April 22nd) came just ten days after lessons were allowed to resume and many instructors have expressed serious doubts over whether this is long enough to get candidates ready.

Speaking to the LancashireTelegraph, Raja Iqbal of Acorn Driving School in Blackburn said this length of time is only sufficient for those ready to take their test when lockdown happened. "For anyone who was intermediate level I would not think ten days is enough," he added.

Other sceptical instructors include Zaff Hussain, who runs Auto Lessons in central Lancashire. He stated: "I don't think ten days is enough for people,” suggesting four weeks is the right length of preparation.

All this suggests there may be many drivers taking their tests too soon, leading not just to a higher failure rate, but increasing the risk of test-day accidents. Cars used for tests may be the most likely to need bumper replacements.

While some people are rushing to get their tests done as soon as possible, many more will have a long wait as the backlog of over 400,000 cancellations is slowly cleared.

According to the EasternDaily Press, some drivers in Norfolk could be waiting up to 20 weeks to take their test.