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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 (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:

Nesssie · 23/07/2019 14:41

I wouldn't pay. You've been driving around in a car without an MOT which is illegal and dangerous.

Even if the t&cs say you have to pay (with is silly in a learner car) you can use the MOT issue to get out of it.

Newtknown · 23/07/2019 14:41

God that's awful! You should not pay anything. Driving lessons are so expensive because of exactly this, insurance etc is insane for driving instructors. It was illegal for her to not have an mot and completely her own fault.

BrokenWing · 23/07/2019 14:42

Did you sign anything saying you were liable for damages when driving? Do they have dual control? Regardless if they don't they should have anticipated and prevented the accident.

I would have thought any accident costs were the driving instructors liability as it is their decision when you are road ready and their insurance. They are responsible to ensure the car is MOTed, taxed and insured. You are certainly not responsible for them continuing with lessons without an MOT and I would seriously consider changing instructors.

Ijustwanttoretire · 23/07/2019 14:43

Actually thinking about it - even worse is if a car doesn't have a valid MOT the insurance is almost certainly invalid, and I tell you if you had been in an accident with another car she (and possibly you) would have been in deep sh*t.

Original poster

lharris1 · 23/07/2019 14:43

Oh thank you all for your advice

Instructor was not a friend, contacted a relatively large driving school in my area and was allocated to her by random

OP posts:

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 23/07/2019 14:43

Driving without an MOT is illegal. And a driving instructor should know better.

Pinkyyy · 23/07/2019 14:44

You're not liable to pay.

itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 23/07/2019 14:44

What if had the MOT been done it would have picked up worn tyres......a tyre shouldn't puncture by clipping a kerb.....my bet is tyres weren't legal hence the damage

DONT PAY

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 23/07/2019 14:44

Then I’d report them to their company, to the DVSA and to the police for driving with not
MOT.

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 14:45

Who the hell calls their insurance company for a puncture

StrongTea · 23/07/2019 14:45

Chancing her luck, get another instructor and tell the company why.

Sirzy · 23/07/2019 14:46

At the very least I would be contacting the driving school to report her. Then move to a different driving school

Orangesox · 23/07/2019 14:46

No, you should not be paying, and I certainly wouldn’t be taking anymore lessons with someone letting you essentially drive around uninsured in a potentially unsafe vehicle.

No, it isn’t a lot for a tyre, intact it’s very cheap which makes me think said instructor is trying to pull a fast one and that the tyre is repairable.

Finfintytint · 23/07/2019 14:47

I doubt it was the insurers she was calling. Probably a roadside recovery who refused. Insurers don't sent people out to change tyres.

Nesssie · 23/07/2019 14:47

What if had the MOT been done it would have picked up worn tyres......a tyre shouldn't puncture by clipping a kerb.....my bet is tyres weren't legal hence the damage

This is the best thing to say.

User0ne · 23/07/2019 14:50

Apart from what others have said about your instructor invalidating their own insurance (and therefore it's their responsibility) I'm also amazed that they're claiming you caused the puncture.

How fast were you going when you hit the curb? If it was fast enough to result in tyre damage I'm surprised neither of you needed medical attention

farrowandballsack · 23/07/2019 14:51

This seems SO dodgy. You should stop lessons with them, contact their driving school if not self employed / the DVLA and whatever you do, don't pay!

This is why they have different insurance. You've done nothing wrong!

notapizzaeater · 23/07/2019 14:51

She should be grovelling not trying to charge you.

Jocasta2018 · 23/07/2019 14:51

DON'T PAY!!!!!

You were unknowingly learning to drive in a potentially dangerous car. You might want to check her Approved Driving Instructor status. Certainly the code of practice mentions that any vehicle used for taking a driver's test should comply with 'all aspects of motoring law' - not sure if this is the same for a vehicle that is being used for instruction but you would hope the same standards apply.

Contact the DVSA customer service - 0300-123-9000 or [email protected] . They might be interested in your driving instructor's lax approach to teaching in a non-MOT'd car...

NoSquirrels · 23/07/2019 14:52

I doubt it was the insurers she was calling. Probably a roadside recovery who refused. Insurers don't sent people out to change tyres.

^^This. And if you are not entirely sure who she was calling, is it possible you are also mistaken about the MOT?

It could be as simple as her roadside assistance (e.g. RAC) had expired - forgotten to renew, or whatever - and hence they wouldn't send someone out.

If you don't drive yet then all the various things you need/don't need and who to call would be unfamiliar to you.

Not having an MOT would be really very dodgy for a driving instructor.

Either way, you're not liable to pay anything. I would change instructors as she shouldn't be doing anything but reassuring you that minor accidents happen and not to worry.

Soola · 23/07/2019 14:56

Do you not understand that by not having an MOT the insurance is invalidated and if you had been hurst in an accident in her car you Would not be covered?
She put you at risk and now wants you to pay!

Tell her to stick her gear dricj where the sun don’t shine.

Soola · 23/07/2019 14:57

Gear stick

PrayingandHoping · 23/07/2019 14:57

Do not pay her a penny!! And report her to the driving school

When you have a job like that, bumps and scrapes to the car have to be expected. The fact she hasn't covered herself sufficiently is her fault. Just be thankful you only hit a curb! Imagine it was another car or worse!!! Without an mot she had no insurance and it would have been a much greater mess than £50!!!

Ribenaberriesgowoo82 · 23/07/2019 14:59

None of this adds up. I think she wanted to make a quick buck out of you and is creating a situation out of your naivety and inexperience.

Mner2019 · 23/07/2019 15:00

I run a local driving school. We would never charge for a burst tyre. Our costs are there to cover burst tyres etc and the insurance covers anything bigger. There is no way you should pay their bill. Find a new instructor.

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