As a driving instructor it’s your job to ensure your car is safe to drive for your students, no matter when they get in the vehicle.
But how can you make sure it is safe, and what do you need to do to ensure the safety of yourself, your students and other road users?
Here we look at how you can keep your car protected for a driving lesson.
Who is eligible to teach someone to drive?
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is allowed to teach someone how to drive, even if they own a full driving licence themselves.
In order to supervise a learner drive you will need:
- To be at least 21-years-old
- To not be currently banned from driving
- Owned a full driving licence for at least three years without disqualification
- Be qualified to drive the type of vehicle the learner is using
How to make my car safe for learner drivers
On top of meeting the above criteria you will also need to make sure your car is roadworthy and own all the right documents.
You will need to be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and clearly display ‘L’ plates on the front and back of the vehicle, or a ‘D’ plate if you are in Wales.
Failing to display an ‘L’ plate, or having one that doesn’t fit the size requirement, can result in a learner receiving up to six penalty points on their licence, despite having not passed their driving test. These plates will need to be removed when the vehicle is being driven by anyone with a full driving licence.
Roadworthy cars will need fully functioning lights, clean windows and safe tyres with the legal required tread of above 1.6mm on them. Like any vehicle you will also need to make sure it is road taxed and has a current MoT certificate, unless it is a classic car.
It is also worth fitting an extra rear-view mirror so you can see the car behind during the practice session as a supervisor.
Pre-drive checks
It’s best practice to do a pre-drive check before you take a learner out for a lesson. It’s also a fantastic idea for the learner to do this with you so they know how to do it in future, and for their test where they will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of the vehicle.
Checks to do include:
- Looking for any signs of vehicle damage
- Windscreen and oil levels are correct
- A brake test
- Correctly positioning the mirrors for the driver
- Checking the bulbs of the indicators and lights
- Ensure windscreen wiper blades are working
- Check the windscreen and back window for any cracks
- Knowing the type of fuel the car uses
- Making sure the tyres are not damaged and have the legal amount of tread on them
What must the supervisor do when teaching a learner?
When supervising a learner, whether it be in your vehicle or theirs, you must follow these legal requirements:
- Ensure the car is safe and in legal condition for driving
- Not receive payment for a lesson, unless you are an approved driving instructor
- Comply with road traffic laws, such as no drinking or usage of a mobile phone when supervising
- Meet the minimum eyesight requirements
Do I need driving instructor insurance?
As an approved or potential driving instructor you will need to ensure you have the right insurance policy. Luckily Adrian Flux offers tailored driving instructor insurance at competitive rates and can tailor an insurance policy to your exact needs.
For our best rates, call 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that works for you.
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