Accompanying a learner driver
Do not accompany a learner driver
if you do not know the rules
Accompanying a learner driver has a minimum set of requirements. To legally be accompanying a learner driver for them to practice you need to fulfill the following conditions
as displayed on the D.V.L.A website
Accompanying a learner driver - the legal bit
Learner drivers must be supervised.
To supervise a learner driver you must be at least 21 years old and have held a full EC licence for the appropriate category of vehicle for at least 3 years.
Anyone who does not comply with these requirements should not be accompanying a learner driver as thay could be liable to a maximum fine of one thousand pounds, discretionary disqualification or 3-6 penalty points (as could the learner driver).
Accompanying a learner driver - very rewarding for both of you
Accompanying a learner driver can be very rewarding. Finding an accompanying driver can be very frustrating for the learner driver. If you are able and prepared to be accompanying a learner driver then you are doing a good thing. Any time that you are able to spend accompanying a learner driver will be very beneficial to the learner driver.
To help with resolving a few issues which can occur when a learner driver is being allowed to use a private vehicle for practice I have written the following article. It may save a few grey hairs if you both read it.
Private practice, a blessing or a curse?
Accompanying a learner driver - not a driving lesson
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I feel compelled to point out that private practice with a learner driver is not intended as a driving lesson. Often accompanying drivers feel the need to comment on road position, the number of mirror checks that are taking place or other such things that they are not used to doing themselves.
When accompanying a learner driver the point of the exercise is not that the learner driver should drive as the accompanying driver wishes; but that the learner driver should drive as the driving instructor intends in order that they can pass a practical driving test.
If accompanying a learner driver you must remember that you are there as a legal requirement and should only interrupt the learner driver if you feel that they may have missed something potentially dangerous.
Accompanying a learner driver - my opinion
My personal opinion on private practice is that in the majority of cases it is an extremely positive experience for both the learner driver and the accompanying driver. The extra experience that the learner driver receives aids development between driving lessons.
This practice is invaluable for the learner driver.
When it comes to manoeuvres learner drivers or the accompanying driver often do not really want to practice these between lessons. In my opinion this is the wrong approach.
I recommend that the learner driver practice the manoeuvres
as well as their driving skills.
If you are thinking about accompanying a learner driver but feel at all unsure as to their readiness I would advise that you make contact with their driving instructor.
The instructor will not mind at all, in fact they will be grateful that their pupil is getting some extra practice.
The instructor will put you in the picture with regards to what should and should not be undertaken and they will be happy to settle and doubts that you may have.
Accompanying a learner driver - thank you
If you are thinking about accompanying a learner driver I would like to thank you.
Your time will be rewarded by the knowledge that you have aided a learner driver in their driving development. If as an accompanying driver you are finding it difficult. Please bear with the learner driver. They always need a couple of goes to settle in. For the learner driver it is a big change to sit in a different car with an accompanying driver rather than in their instructors vehicle.
I do appreciate that being an accompanying driver can be difficult sometimes.
Please bear with it.
Thank You!
