Teaching someone the basics

Jamiesmum

Just let her get a feel for the car without driving it, teach her clutch control (engine on, handbrake on) on the drive way. My other half didn't like being in the drivers seat of my (well he picked it) focus. He always wanted one so when we bought it it was with the idea it would go to him when he passed and I'd get a new one. Now I'm stuck with it.
He is more than comfortable behind my sisters wheel, though. Not that he has driven it just tested it.

Plus, don't underestimate how stressful it can be to try teach someone even the basics. They can get scared or panicked and there is literally nothing you can do to help at that time. They could be the most chilled out person in the world but under pressure they may only feel comfortable with a professional beside them with their own pedals.

caliew

Hi, I have worked in insurance for a number of years and have just left due to childcare. On the insurance side of things unfortunately the car park you are describing is classed as a public place and with regards to the law side of things my partner works in law and order and he believes to the best of his knowledge that you have had to have had your own license for more than 3 years (with regards to penalties check out the DVLA website for penalty charge). Hope this helps.

[Deleted User]

Its a good thing to let her get confidence and clutch /throttle combination skills on private land for a few hours if possible.The first few lessons out on the open road are quite nerve racking for an absolute beginner and any experience and practice will take the edge off those first few lessons. Teaching someone to drive is a skill in itself and not easily learnt so I don t think an amateur should be allowed to undertake this sort of education to learner drivers. The only time I helped anyone was assisting my sister in learning how to reverse around a bend ( which she had failed previously on ) which we did for hours until she could do it in her sleep.

Prothet_of_Doom

I took my daughter out (all fully legal and insured), around the local empty beach car park, after she'd had 2 lessons. It was terrifying.
I was 6 lessons before I was happy to start giving her practice on the road.
My son picked it up after seconds behind the wheel, and I was never terrified.

Having dual controls is pretty much the only way to be safe if the learner isn't a natural to start with.

Car_54

molerat wrote: »

But it is a "public place" so covered by RTA offences.

Some offences, yes, but not licensing offences.

cajef

bigjl wrote: »

When I passed my test I was sitting with learners that night.

Which was illegal, from GOV.UK website

Anyone you practise your driving with (without paying them) must:

• be over 21
• be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you want to learn in, eg they must have a manual car licence if they’re supervising you in a manual car
• have had their full driving licence for 3 years (from countries in the European Union or European Economic Area)

Car_54

cajef wrote: »

Which was illegal, from GOV.UK website

Not necessarily. Illegal now, but perfectly legal before the regulations changed (I think in 1999).

cajef

Car_54 wrote: »

Not necessarily. Illegal now, but perfectly legal before the regulations changed (I think in 1999).

Not sure if and when they changed but I was a driving instructor in 1999 and it was certainly illegal then.

Found it

1990
Under new legislation, anyone accompanying a learner driver from October 1990 must be at least 21 and must have held a driving licence for a minimum of 3 years.

Car_54

cajef wrote: »

Not sure if and when they changed but I was a driving instructor in 1999 and it was certainly illegal then.

There were no restrictions when I passed my test in 1967. The current regulations date from 1999, but I think you're right and it changed earlier than that.

Silver-Surfer_2

dcouponzzzz wrote: »

Hey guys, so my OH wants to learn to drive and has (finally) received her provisional license.

I'd love to be able to show the basics before booking an instructor, and I have no problem taking her on a private road/car park to get started.

One Issue... I've only been driving since Apr 2014 (approx 2 years). What (if any) is the penalty for supervising a learner in your own car on private land without the relevant experience and without learner insurance? Except a trashed car of course. No penalty if caught, providing it is private and you have permission to be there.

Anyone know the logic behind it being based on how long I've been driving instead of distance covered? In those 2 years I've covered 30-40k, likely more than my mum has in 20 years... No logic, it's covered by the Road Traffic Act.

Final question sorry, but does anyone have a link to (or can explain) what constitutes private land? There's an abandoned retail park not far from me with a large empty car park, but I suspect it's public as the entrance isn't blocked. Private land suitable would be land to which the public do not have access. From what you say your car park is a public place under the act.

Thanks in advance to any helpful answers. To the rest, you know who you are :money:

If she's caught without insurance you'll get points too and you'll both have provisional licences.