driving instructor and phone

newcook

Morning all!

I had my first proper driving lesson the other day (a friend has taken me out on an empty car park a couple of times). On the way home on a main road while I was still driving, my instructors phone rang and he had a short (about 1 minute) conversation – I didn’t think anything of it but one of my friends was horrified!

What are your thoughts?!

neilmcl

I'm not sure what the legal implications are, if any, but I would complain if you feel uncomfortable about this.

newcook

neilmcl wrote: »

I'm not sure what the legal implications are, if any, but I would complain if you feel uncomfortable about this.

It didn’t bother me at all – if anything I felt that he thought I was doing rather well for him to accept the call!

My friend was rather shocked as, as far as she’s concerned the instructors concentration on teaching me to drive was compromised and it could have distracted me from driving the car!

arcon5

I can see why some would be horrified but it really comes down to how YOU felt. If you wasn't bothered then does I really matter? It's not like he spent 5 or 10 minutes having a chat - from what you say I suspect he took a booking or something?

Pc_Crash

It was illegal for him to answer that call but it's not crime of the century. You are quite right in thinking you must have being doing well ;-)

Not too long ago it was perfectly legal for instructors to answer a phone whilst teaching so personally I wouldn't get too hung on on the illegality, it's more important that you are happy with his teaching etc.


There was no real reason for making it illegal for instructors to use a phone other than political; it certainly wasn't because of the frequency of accidents.


Just my thoughts before others jump on and say how he should be !!!!!ed and all that!

Mojisola

I thought that when someone was supervising a learner driver (not just driving instructors), they had to comply with the rules as if they were actually driving - so no over the drink/drive limit, not using the phone, wearing glasses if they are needed, etc.

kwmlondon

Are you happy with the instructor? Are they a good teacher, do you get on with them and are you happy with the quality of the lessons? If so then don't worry about them taking a call. They have to make a living and one day you may want to book an appointment or cancel or something and need to talk to him/her and if they're teaching someone who is driving well on an undemanding stretch of road you'll be grateful that they are pragmatic.

Besides, I actually found it handy when I was learning to be left to just get on with it for a while. Once you reach a certain point it's very important to feel like YOU are in charge of the car, not relying on the person next to you to give instructions. When you first drive on your own there will be nobody to tell you to slow down/watch your position/change gear etc.

kwmlondon

Mojisola wrote: »

I thought that when someone was supervising a learner driver (not just driving instructors), they had to comply with the rules as if they were actually driving - so no over the drink/drive limit, not using the phone, wearing glasses if they are needed, etc.

They can fall asleep though! They cold read a book or use a handsfree kit. Bear in mind that, realistically, there's no need for them to use their hands so it makes no difference if they've got a bluetooth or whatever or use the handset.

newcook

arcon5 wrote: »

I can see why some would be horrified but it really comes down to how YOU felt. If you wasn't bothered then does I really matter? It's not like he spent 5 or 10 minutes having a chat - from what you say I suspect he took a booking or something?

No, it was his son calling to organize a day out (only know this as he told me when he’d hung up!)

As I said, it didn’t bother me at all but my friend can be a bit of a drama-queen sometimes and started telling me to report him as it was illegal etc. I didn’t think it was (though I can see how she would think it could be) so thought I would ask on here for peoples opinions!

Mojisola

kwmlondon wrote: »

They can fall asleep though! They cold read a book or use a handsfree kit. Bear in mind that, realistically, there's no need for them to use their hands so it makes no difference if they've got a bluetooth or whatever or use the handset.

They'd be a useless teacher if they did. As a driver couldn't fall asleep or read a book, someone supervising a learner driver shouldn't either.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-who-can-teach-you
It’s illegal for the person to use a mobile phone while they are supervising you.

Jamie_Carter

Pc_Crash wrote: »

It was illegal for him to answer that call but it's not crime of the century. You are quite right in thinking you must have being doing well ;-)

Not too long ago it was perfectly legal for instructors to answer a phone whilst teaching so personally I wouldn't get too hung on on the illegality, it's more important that you are happy with his teaching etc.


There was no real reason for making it illegal for instructors to use a phone other than political; it certainly wasn't because of the frequency of accidents.


Just my thoughts before others jump on and say how he should be !!!!!ed and all that!

In the OP's situation, who is legally in charge of the vehicle???