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Can I teach someone to drive?

Can I teach someone to drive?

Collette Shackleton
Written by  Collette Shackleton
5 min read
Updated: 08 Oct 2024

Are you unsure whether or not you can teach someone else to drive in the UK? This guide helps answer all of your questions.

Key points

  • To legally teach someone to drive, one must be over 21 and have held a full driving licence for at least three years, ensuring adequate experience and maturity

  • When allowing a learner to use your car, ensure it meets safety standards and is covered by insurance that includes provisional drivers to mitigate risks and liabilities

  • Professional driving instructors offer structured learning and use dual-control vehicles for safety

Person driving car

Can I teach someone to drive?

Teaching someone to drive involves more than just sharing skills. It requires understanding specific eligibility criteria and legal responsibilities. To teach someone to drive, you must have held a full driving licence for at least three years and be over 21.

As a driving tutor, you face significant legal responsibilities. You must ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and properly insured for a learner. Plus, you should be legally allowed to instruct. Typically, this means you cannot charge for lessons unless you are a certified driving instructor.

Understanding road rules thoroughly is also essential. You should be well-versed in current traffic laws, safety regulations, and driving best practices.

Can someone use my car to learn in?

When considering whether to let a learner use your car for driving practice, several key factors must be taken into account. Here are the main points to consider:

  • Insurance considerations for lending your car: Before handing over your keys, check your car insurance policy. Most insurers require that you inform them if a learner will be using your vehicle. This might lead to a temporary increase in your premium, but it ensures coverage in case of an accident. Always confirm that the learner has provisional insurance as well

  • Vehicle safety requirements: Your car must meet certain safety standards before a learner can use it. This includes working seat belts, properly adjusted mirrors, and clear visibility through all windows. Ensure your vehicle's brakes, lights, and tyres are also in excellent condition to avoid any potential hazards during learning sessions

  • Potential risks and liabilities: Allowing a learner to drive your car comes with risks. If they have an accident, you could be liable for damages if it's proven that your vehicle was not up to safety standards. Any damage to your vehicle might not be fully covered by insurance, depending on the terms of your policy.

How does car insurance work for learner drivers?

Car insurance for learner drivers is similar to standard car insurance. However, policies are tailored specifically for learners, providing cover and additional extras as they improve their driving skills. These policies account for the unique risks new drivers face.

Insurance providers set premiums for learner drivers based on factors such as the learner's age, the type of car used for training, and how often they take driving lessons. Generally, younger learners may face higher premiums due to their lack of road experience.

Adding a learner driver to an existing policy is straightforward. The car owner must contact their insurance provider and provide the learner's details. You might also need to adjust the coverage. This ensures the learner is adequately covered without significantly altering the existing policy terms.

Who's responsible if a learner driver crashes my car?

Typically, the car owner's insurance should cover the damages if a learner crashes the car. However, this depends on the specific insurance policy. It is vital to have a policy that includes provisional drivers. Without this, you may encounter issues with claims.

It also depends if you have a fully comprehensive policy, or just third-party. To avoid any incidents as best as possible, choose low-traffic times for practice and start in less risky driving environments.

Ensure the learner understands basic control and road rules before moving to busier areas. These steps can help ensure a safer learning experience.

What are the advantages of opting for a driving instructor?

  1. Professional expertise and structured learning: Learning to drive with a professional instructor offers expert knowledge. They are trained to teach driving systematically, covering all essential driving aspects

  2. Safety benefits of learning from a certified instructor: Certified instructors use dual-control vehicles. This allows them to intervene in difficult situations, greatly reducing accident risks during lessons and enhancing safety for novice drivers

  3. Long-term benefits of professional driving lessons: Professional lessons not only help to pass your test but also instil lifelong safe driving habits. This can result in fewer accidents and potentially lower car insurance premiums in the future

What are the rules around teaching someone to drive?

To teach someone to drive you must be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least three years. The learner must hold a valid provisional licence, which they can apply for from the age of 15 years and nine months.

It is essential to display L-plates on both the front and rear of the vehicle during lessons, and your car must be roadworthy and meet all MOT and tax requirements.

During the lessons, both the tutor and the learner must adhere to all road safety rules. They must obey speed limits, traffic signals, and signage.

The tutor must also ensure they are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You need to remain fully alert and capable of taking control of the vehicle if necessary.

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