Driving Schools Adopt New Changes To Help Prevent Spread Of COVID-19

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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) -- Driving schools are incorporating new changes because of the coronavirus to protect instructors and students.

Orange County's Varsity Driving Academy was sidelined for more than two months because of the pandemic.

"I was supposed to have my third [lesson] in March," said Ethan Johnson, a student at the driving school. "I thought I was getting pretty good, but then this whole thing happened."

Johnson is not alone. COVID-19 put the breaks on drivers' license tests, dashing the dreams of teenagers, like Johnson, who were supposed to receive theirs soon.

Now that some businesses have gotten the green light to reopen, the facility announced it is taking steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including installing plastic sheeting between the instructor and the student.

"It really does give you a sense of more protection in the vehicle with the student as well as us being able to grab the wheel in case we need to do so," said Mark McKinney, owner and operator of Varsity Driving Academy.

Employees are also taking steps independently to keep themselves safe.

"We take our temperatures before we go to work. We sanitize the vehicle. I bring hand sanitizer for my self and if the student wants it," said driving instructor Daisy Reyna.

Over the last few months, Varsity Driving Academy had to cancel hundreds of lessons for teenagers.

It's unclear when the DMV will resume taking appointments for behind-the-wheel driving tests.