Supervising a learner driver

pothole50

When supervising a learner driver must the supervisor be in the passenger seat, I was under the impression that they have to be as technically they are in charge of the vehicle. When I put this to my son in law who is learning to drive he seems to think that as long as the qualified driver is in the car that's ok. The reason the question cropped up is because my daughter has given birth to our grandson and he has to go in the front seat, that would mean my daughter sitting in the back if my son in law wishes to drive the car. I tried to point out that it would be my daughter who receives the fine and points.

interstellaflyer

I did find some info, however a bit of a grey area, it just says passenger seat, not front passenger seat, surely any seat other than the drivers seat is a passenger seat, that said I'd use the front seat anyway.

http://www.helpingldrivers.com/private-practice/the-law/

Doesn't, or at least I can't see where it says superviser must be in front passenger seat.

Car_54

The law doesn't stipulate the front seat, and there are some types of vehicle where there is no front seat. However, it's sensible to be in the front where you have a better view of the road and can exercise some control if necessary.

The supervising driver is NOT in charge of the vehicle.

benjus

The legal position is here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2864/made

Can't see anything to say that supervisors need to sit in the front, although it could be argued that a supervisor cannot be effectively in charge of the vehicle of they cannot reach ANY of the controls.

Why does the baby have to be in the front anyway?

interstellaflyer

benjus wrote: »

The legal position is here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2864/made



Why does the baby have to be in the front anyway?

Some car seats designed for babies are designed for the front seat I think, however airbag needs to be disarmed, it's a long time since I was in that position so can't say for sure, however it could be a car with out rear seat belts, although it would need to be pretty old.

Herzlos

I thought you weren't allowed any passengers when being supervised?

glentoran99

pothole50 wrote: »

When supervising a learner driver must the supervisor be in the passenger seat, I was under the impression that they have to be as technically they are in charge of the vehicle. When I put this to my son in law who is learning to drive he seems to think that as long as the qualified driver is in the car that's ok. The reason the question cropped up is because my daughter has given birth to our grandson and he has to go in the front seat, that would mean my daughter sitting in the back if my son in law wishes to drive the car. I tried to point out that it would be my daughter who receives the fine and points.

Is he going to be taking the newborn on driving lessons with him? And why does he have to go in the front? Its recommended that babys are in the back

interstellaflyer

Car_54 wrote: »

The supervising driver is NOT in charge of the vehicle.

However, the supervisor must not be under the influence of alcohol or use a mobile phone, so I'd say it's a very grey area.

interstellaflyer

Herzlos wrote: »

I thought you weren't allowed any passengers when being supervised?

You can have as many passengers as the vehicle can legally carry.

Tobster86

Legal ramifications aside; please carefully consider the situation of carrying a newborn baby in a car, with a driver who is yet to be deemed competent to operate the vehicle independently, under a position of supervision from a passenger who is unable to reach any of the controls.

interstellaflyer

Tobster86 wrote: »

Legal ramifications aside; please carefully consider the situation of carrying a newborn baby in a car, with a driver who is yet to be deemed competent to operate the vehicle independently, under a position of supervision from a passenger who is unable to reach any of the controls.

We do not know the level of competence of the learner, raw beginner or someone who is pretty much ready for the test and is just putting in extra practice, if it's the later then no problem, the former, no-one in the car except the person supervising from a common sense angle.