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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:
munemema · 23/07/2019 15:21

When I was learning to drive someone drove into the back of me when I stopped at a roundabout. It was perfectly reasonable to stop and the other driver was at fault, although a more experience driver might have kept going, I was in a well marked driving school car.

The instructor, never told me it wasn't my fault. In fact she made me feel bad that the accident put her car off the road, which was obviously a problem for her, as it was her livelihood. She was quite rude and demanding about when and how I made witness statements etc and let me feel that it was all down to me stopping when I didn't need to (even though I was certain that's what she'd taught me to do).

I know now that it is always the fault of the person behind, who should be ready to stop whatever the car in front does but I'm still bitter that she didn't explain that at the time. It knocked my confidence for ages.

She didn't ask me to pay though!

ruralcat · 23/07/2019 15:21

Tyre cost seems fine, think mine are at least £150. However I would assume that driving instructors had special insurance to cover them for this type of thing, given the chance of a learner having this type of incident is presumably high. Also can't believe they have no MOT, sure the police wouldn't be too happy about that.

Tish008 · 23/07/2019 15:22

Sounds like it was Green flag who is roadside recovery.

In a nut shell:

You absolutely should not pay for the tyre

To drive legally you MUST have a licence, insurance, tax and mot. Without these you will be heavily fined and have points on your licence. It will also make it harder for you to get insurance again.

gamerchick · 23/07/2019 15:24

Ring the school to let them know, she could have had students going out for tests in that car. Then find someone else to teach you.

Don't pay her but let the school know she's asked and ask them to deal with her as you don't want that particular instructor anymore.

Nat6999 · 23/07/2019 15:25

If you had gone to take your test in that car, you would have automatically failed because the car wouldn't have been insured due to not having a current MOT. Report this instructor to the company who put you with them & find another instructor.

blackcat86 · 23/07/2019 15:33

It might be green flag but regardless you were driving an uninsured car because this will be invalidated through lack of MOT. Dont pay her a penny and ask for a refund for that lesson. Speak to the driving school if she's being difficult. That is an unacceptable error for an instructor and could have had life changing consequences for you had you had a serious accident.

blackcat86 · 23/07/2019 15:33

Oh and don't beat yourself up about it. I've been driving about 15yrs and did the same thing yesterday. It cost me £100 for a new tyre and tracking

Ribeebie · 23/07/2019 15:34

Don't pay her!

She should have had a valid MOT. It's illegal to drive without one. She must be in breach of her responsibilities as an instructor by not having one. I would report her to the driving school that she's under.

She is your instructor and should be fully supervising you. She should have intervened if she saw you were going to hit the curb and cause significant damage - and she should have noticed that it was about to happen if she was properly supervising you. If you are learning and she is supervising and instructing you then she is responsible. Not just you.

Don't let her pressure you into paying anything and don't use her again. If she gets difficult shop her to the police and make sure her lack of MOT and behaviour over the tyre is well publicised locally through social media/local paper. That way she'll probably back down and everyone else will know how dodgy she is and steer clear.

BananaBeforeBed · 23/07/2019 15:38

You do not pay.

He was in a car with no MOT which means he had no insurance.

He will be lucky to escape penalties points.

Learner drivers bash cars, it is a known hazard.

So not let him/her force you to pay.

Oh, and find another instructor, as if you has been hurt or had hit someone you would be facing a terrible time. This is not good service.

mumofbun · 23/07/2019 15:43

Did you definitely hear them say the MOT was expired and not the road side assistance was expired? Def check your terms and conditions before paying - i doubt you should though!

FinallyHere · 23/07/2019 15:43

You can check the mot status here

Look out for recent renewals , usually lasts for a year. Was the car the instructor 'science, or one given to her by the driving school?

In any case, find s different instructor.

Ginger1982 · 23/07/2019 15:45

Very odd. Are you sure it wasn't her coverage with Green Flag that had expired rather than the MOT? If it was, that was her fault too and you still shouldn't pay.

wowfudge · 23/07/2019 15:49

Having no MOT seems unlikely and I wonder if it was a case of the instructor didn't have the level of breakdown cover to change a wheel? It's often not covered. You can check if there's a valid MOT with the registration of the car online.

MadamePompadour · 23/07/2019 15:55

She would also have dual controls? So why didn't she hit the brake? She sounds a shit instructor.

Plus the tyre wouldn't have been new so even if you were liable (which you're not) you shouldn't be expected to pay the full price.

Maybe if she doesn't keep up to date with mot her tyre might have been worn down/bald or even just not maintained at correct pressure making it more likely to burst. I'd report her to the driving school and get a new instructor.

Plus she should be refunding you for the missed lesson.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 23/07/2019 15:56

I get through to my break down cover by ringing my insurer so easy mistake to make.

£50 for a new tyre is cheap and she's not expecting you to pay for her missed lessons for the rest of the day as you read on here sometimes.

But not having an MOT is a much, much bigger issue. I would be surprised that the car was even d enough to need one if she works for one of the big schools. You need to report this. She's been teaching and driving illegally.

starfishmummy · 23/07/2019 15:58

The only thing I can think of is that the breakdown cover is part of a package with her insurance. If the MOT has expired the insurance will be invalid and therefore the breakdown cover would also be invalid.

As others say - look up the MOT status on line. And if it has expired then I'd be finding a new instructor pdq

HJWT · 23/07/2019 16:02

What an idiot OP! Why do you think driving lessons are so expensive? So the instructor can 1- get paid 2- cover fuel and 3- PAY INSURANCE! To cover any damage done by a LEARNER DRIVER!

Tell her to piss of ring the company and ask for a new instructor!

The fact she wasn't paying enough attention to move the wheel before you hit the curb says it all really!!

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 16:07

The only thing I can think of is that the breakdown cover is part of a package with her insurance.

It won't be. Even Direct line, who own Green Flag, don't use the GF name for their breakdown attached to insurance.

If the MOT has expired the insurance will be invalid and therefore the breakdown cover would also be invalid

This is nonsense.

They won't repair the car because it states in the T&C's that for cover to apply you have to make sure your car is fit to drive at the start of each journey. A car without an MOT is not fit to drive, so not covered under Green Flag.

LolaSmiles · 23/07/2019 16:11

Are you sure it was that they called their Green Flag and realised it was their roadside recovery that had expired rather than their MOT?

catmummy1 · 23/07/2019 16:21

My DB did this in a driving lesson. Hit the kerb and burst the tyre. They went to garge to get it fixed and it cost £140. The instructor paid. They even went to a cafe nearby and had breakfast together while they waited for a lift home! I wouldn't think you would have to pay as you are the learner. Surely these things are expected as part of their job and should have insurance. Very unprofessional not to have MOT though!

catinboots99 · 23/07/2019 16:22

Surely a driving instructor should know how to change a wheel and put the spare on.

Also as PP said, insurers don't send people out to fix tyres Confused

Greyhound22 · 23/07/2019 16:26

I would be reporting her to who the more knowledgeable people in here have said.

No MOT 😦 horrifying - if you had had a serious accident and been injured there would have been no personal accident etc

I can't believe she's asking you for the price of a tyre! I would be really angry if I was you.

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 16:30

There is a lot of misunderstanding here regarding MOT and Insurance. No MOT doesn't automatically invalidate insurance. Each case will be reviewed individually. Any third party claims would almost certainly be paid out. The risk would be entirely with the registered keeper of the car.

namechanged2000 · 23/07/2019 16:31

Why have you to pay? Surely that's what his insurance is for.

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 16:32

Surely that's what his insurance is for

Not really no. If you get a puncture you just get a new tyre. Insurance has nothing to do with it.

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