Can my parents teach me to drive?
Key takeaways
You can learn to drive in a parent’s or family member’s car if you have the right licence, supervision and insurance
The car must be roadworthy, taxed, insured, registered with DVLA and fitted with L plates or D plates in Wales
You can be added to the car owner’s policy or buy separate learner driver insurance for private practice - any damage the learner driver causes will impact the parent’s insurance
Can I learn to drive in my parents’ car?
Yes, you can learn to drive in a parent’s car - you must have a valid provisional driving licence, be supervised by someone who meets the legal requirements and have learner driver insurance that covers you to drive the car. The car must also be taxed, roadworthy, registered with DVLA and have a valid MOT if it needs one.
You can use private practice alongside lessons with a qualified driving instructor.
The pros of learning in a parent’s car
You’ll save money if you’re not paying an instructor for driving lessons
It’s more flexible as you can go out whenever you’re both free
The experience might be less stressful for you if you’re learning with a parent
You can go out for more practice sessions and may pass your test quicker
The cons of learning in a parent’s car
There won’t be dual controls in the car
If there’s an accident when you’re driving it will impact your parent’s insurance
It will only work if you both get on as it can be a tense experience
You may pick up the parent’s bad habits
Do I need a driving instructor?
No, you do not legally need a driving instructor for every lesson - you can practise with a parent, family member or friend if they meet the rules for supervising a learner driver. However, professional lessons can still be useful because instructors are trained, understand the driving test, and usually teach in cars with dual controls.
Private practice is often best used alongside lessons, not instead of them - it can help you build confidence between paid lessons and get more experience on different roads.
The pros of using a qualified instructor
The instructor is qualified to teach learner drivers and will be used to lots of different driving situations
They will know what is likely to come up in the driving test
They will be up-to-date with the latest driving rules
The car has dual controls and will be insured
The cons of using a qualified instructor
Driving lessons are expensive
There’s less flexibility over when you can go out in the car
It may take longer to learn if you’re only having one lesson a week, instead of going out more regularly with a parent or friend in their car
Who can supervise me while I learn to drive?
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 and qualified to drive the type of car you are learning in, while they must also have held a full driving licence for at least three years, and must not be banned from driving. If you are learning in a manual car, they need a manual licence.
Some insurers have stricter rules, such as requiring the supervising driver to be over 25, so be sure to check your insurance policy before you drive.
How do I record private driving practice?
After each driving lesson with a parent or friend, you should write down what you’ve practised - you can then show this to your instructor so they know what extra experience you’ve had. You can print off a free driving record from the Gov.uk website.
What rules do I need to follow as a learner driver?
You must have a valid provisional licence, valid insurance and the right supervision, while you must also meet the minimum eyesight requirements and display L plates on the front and back of the car. In Wales, you can use D plates instead.
You cannot drive on motorways when practising with family or friends - learner drivers can only drive on motorways with an approved driving instructor in a car fitted with dual controls.
What rules does the family car need to meet?
The family car must be legal, safe and suitable for learner driving - so it must be:
Roadworthy
Taxed
Registered with DVLA
Fitted with L plates or D plates in Wales
Covered by valid learner driver insurance
Covered by a valid MOT if it needs one
You should also fit an extra rear-view mirror so the supervising driver can see behind the car during practice.
What insurance do I need to learn in my parents’ car?
You need insurance that covers you as a learner driver in that specific car - which means you usually have two main options. You can be added to your parent’s car insurance policy as a named driver, or you can buy separate learner driver insurance to cover private practice in their car.
Don't assume you're covered because the car itself is insured, as the policy must cover you to drive it as a learner.
How much is learner driver insurance?
The cost of learner driver insurance depends on factors such as your age, where you live, the car you drive and how long you need cover for. MoneySuperMarket data shows the average annual premium for learner driver insurance is £190.51
However, many learners choose short-term policies, which can be a flexible option if you are practising in a parent’s or friend’s car before your test. Temporary learner driver insurance can be arranged for periods ranging from a few hours to several months, allowing you to get extra practice without affecting the car owner’s no-claims discount if you need to make a claim.
As with any type of car insurance, it is worth comparing quotes from different providers to find cover that suits your needs and budget.
Should I be added as a named driver?
Being added as a named driver can be useful if you'll practise regularly in the family car - it means you're added to the car owner’s insurance policy. It can be convenient, but it will likely affect their premiums.
If you have an accident, the car owner may need to claim on their policy, which could affect their no-claims discount unless it is protected.
Should I get separate learner driver insurance?
Separate learner driver insurance can be useful if you want cover for private practice without changing the car owner’s main policy. This type of policy usually covers you to drive a parent’s or family member’s car while you're learning, and it's usually available for a few hours, days, weeks or months, depending on the provider.
Check whether a claim would affect the car owner’s no-claims discount, as well as whether the policy ends when you pass your test.
Can I learn in my own car?
Yes, you can learn in your own car if you have the right insurance and supervision. If you own the car, you must have learner driver insurance in your own name, while the car must also be taxed, registered with DVLA, roadworthy, and covered by a valid MOT if it needs one.
You still need a qualified supervising driver with you whenever you practise - you can't drive alone until you've passed your test and have insurance that covers you as a full licence holder.
Can I take my driving test in a family car?
Yes, you can take your driving test in a family car if it meets the test requirements - the car must be taxed, insured for a driving test, roadworthy and have a valid MOT if it needs one. It must also have L plates and an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner.
Check with your insurer before the test, as some learner policies cover practice but not the driving test itself.
What happens if I have an accident while learning?
If you have a car accident while learning, the insurer will decide how the claim is handled. If you're a named driver on your parent’s policy, the claim may affect their policy and no-claims discount.
If you have separate learner driver insurance, the claim may be handled through that policy instead, but you should check this before you start practising. You should know who pays the excess, whose no-claims discount is affected and whether repairs to the family car are covered.
Can I pay my parent to teach me to drive?
No, you cannot pay a parent, friend or family member to teach you to drive. Only approved driving instructors and trainee driving instructors can be paid for driving lessons - this includes payment towards fuel or other costs for the lesson.
A parent or family member can supervise private practice for free, but they cannot charge you for it.
What happens after I pass my test?
You need insurance that covers you as a full licence holder before you drive alone - learner driver insurance may end when you pass your test, so check your policy before driving home or taking the car out again. If you want to keep driving the family car, you may need to update the existing policy, buy new driver insurance or arrange temporary cover.
MoneySuperMarket can help you compare car insurance quotes for learner drivers and newly qualified drivers.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
Reviewer
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
