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Original poster

Mini accident in driving instructors car

168 replies

lharris1 · 23/07/2019 14:29

I’m a learner driver and accidentally hit the curb, puncturing one tyre. No other damage to instructors car
However when my driving instructor called their insurance, they were unable to send someone out to change tyre due to their MOT being expired Blush (god I feel terrible my instructor must hate me for getting them in this mess)

I had to take a taxi home, and my instructor has let me know it will cost £50 to replace their tyre. Obviously I know I need to pay but is it just me that thinks £50 seems quite a lot? That being said I have no idea how much this kind of thing would cost, and I’m on a very low income

I feel so ashamed for doing it, part of me wants to change instructors after paying due to the guilt

OP posts:
LIZS · 23/07/2019 14:31

Whose mot had expired? Driving instructor should have insurance cover.

ladygracie · 23/07/2019 14:32

That’s a normal price for a tyre. But i can’t believe he had no MOT! Shock

Tigerbandage · 23/07/2019 14:32

What? Why should you pay?
Your the learner and he was instructing you, he should have insurance to cover this or he should have stopped you from hitting the kerb
It’s not your fault his MOT wasn’t up to date
Don’t pay!

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 23/07/2019 14:32

Why the actual fuck?
There’s no way whatsoever you should be paying for this. That’s the risk and the reason a driving instructor has insurance. The fact that they have been running their business with a car with no MOT is unbelievable and unacceptable.

Don’t pay and instead report them to the DVSA. And never have another lesson with them again.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 23/07/2019 14:33

*what. Not why. Obviously ;)

willywillywillywilly · 23/07/2019 14:33

You don't need to pay! The instructor should pay and should also make sure his MOT is up-to-date!

Celebelly · 23/07/2019 14:33

This doesn't seem right.

  1. a professional driving instructor should be on top of his MoT. You've potentially been learning to drive in an unsafe car. I can't believe someone who drives his car for a living didn't have his MoT up to date. That's really silly.

  2. Stuff like this is part and parcel of being a driving instructor. Tyres take abuse. The clutch takes abuse. You have to get them replaced more than normally. It's a cost of doing business.

Nearlyfriyay987654 · 23/07/2019 14:33

I’d check any terms and conditions when you signed up to learning to drive, whether you are liable for damage and what you have to pay.
If your not liable for his costs then it’s up to you whether you pay.

ImpossibleNovelty · 23/07/2019 14:33

Don’t pay. And change instructor. Completely their fault they’re not covered.

Nearlyfriyay987654 · 23/07/2019 14:34

He should also have a valid MOT that’s horrendous!!!

CatToddlerUprising · 23/07/2019 14:34

I wouldn’t pay. It’s the instructor’s fault for having no mot and invalidating their own insurance

Finfintytint · 23/07/2019 14:35

They replace the tyre. Why didn't the driving instructor change the tyre at the time.

Original poster
lharris1 · 23/07/2019 14:35

Sorry that wasn’t clear. My instructors mot had expired, when she had called her insurance and given her registration plate, they then told her they were unable to send someone out because of it

OP posts:
Celebelly · 23/07/2019 14:36

It's entirely her own fault. Don't pay, if she's part of a franchise or professional body, report her, and get a new instructor.

MsJaneAusten · 23/07/2019 14:36

Is he actually a driving instructor? Rather than a mate helping you learn? If so, he should be fully insured and the MOT should be totally up to date. Do not pay.

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 23/07/2019 14:37

Are you with a properly qualified and accredited instructor/car or is this a friend or a friend situation?

TheInvestigator · 23/07/2019 14:37

Changing one tyre take a less than 10 minutes. Why didn't he just change it himself at the side of the road? I understand that not every single driver keeps all the stuff they need in the boot with the spare, but surely a driving instructor does! And he must know how to change a tyre; it's really fucking simple. Who calls their insurance for a tyre change!!

I can't believe he didn't have a valid MOT. That's really bad.

Part of being a driving instructor is absorbing this kind of cost. You need to tell him that you will not be paying, and you will be considering your legal options after having paid him for lessons in a car which you now know is potentially unsafe as it has had no recent MOT.

Nearlyfriyay987654 · 23/07/2019 14:37

She should have a valid Mot that’s not your fault, hers! Go with someone else and don’t pay

acatcalledjohn · 23/07/2019 14:38

My instructors mot had expired, when she had called her insurance and given her registration plate, they then told her they were unable to send someone out because of it

So she wants you to pay for her fuck up?

Absolutely not. Had she been on top of her MOT then this wouldn't be the case. Her insurance covers this stuff, SHE invalidated her insurance. Do not pay her.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 23/07/2019 14:39

Your instructor should be insured for precisely this situation. However, if they don't have an MOT, I'd be very concerned that they aren't insured either. Please contact the DVSA and report them for this dodgy behaviour. Do not pay anything extra - insurance etc, should be included in the cost of the lessons!! If you feel that you are being threatened, call 101 immediately.

HeadintheiClouds · 23/07/2019 14:39

Is it an actual driving school? I’d demand a refund if they’d allowed one of their instructors to use an unsafe vehicle Confused

TheInvestigator · 23/07/2019 14:39

When I say exploring your legal options, I mean in reference to a refund if any lessons you have prepaid for.

Ijustwanttoretire · 23/07/2019 14:40

Agree with all the others - DO NOT PAY! You are learning - of course you'll hit the kerb (I still do occasionally) that is why you pay so much for lessons - to cover their time and wear and tear on the car. If they start getting narky tell them you will report them for using a car with no MOT. CF!!!!!

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 23/07/2019 14:41

You were perfectly clear. Your driving instructor is utterly in the wrong here.

Jeffter · 23/07/2019 14:41

Absolutely 100% DO NOT PAY. It's your instructors responsibility to maintain the MOT and thereby the insurance. The liability is theirs, not yours.

Change instructors, but not because of the guilt, but because of their cheek in asking you to pay.

FWIW £50 is a reasonable amount, but, and I can't stress this enough, IT'S NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY