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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:
unknownn · 23/07/2019 16:35

What @Tigerbandage said!!!!! DO NOT pay your instructor. Its their job to keep you from puncturing tires, they shouldn't have the road on the car without an MOT thats illegal anyway!! ITs their fault they didnt have a valid MOT, they're taking advantage of you. What driving school is this? I'm very curious to know.

fairmania · 23/07/2019 16:37

I have signed up to Mumsnet just to support your query. Does your Instructor display the green 'badge' in the windscreen of their car? It is square, with an octagonal centre section with the date of expiry in the middle and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (Car) around that with the DVSA crest top centre. I would post mine, but there is no facility to do so, however as an ADI in Kent, I would accept the tyre as a risk of the job, have had one recently too, and not expect you to pay, nor contribute toward the cost. Lack of an MOT causes me great concern, and a call to your local test centre may be in order to have their enforcement team give your instructor a visit. And as said above, get a new instructor! Ask around you may know someone happy with theirs and happy to recommend them.

Aragog · 23/07/2019 16:41

Is this a proper bona fide instructor?

Id be very concerned that a driving instructor, who you pay to use, doesn't have up to date MOT. Part of the less on cost is to cover insurance.

Do you have a contract document? What does it say about accidents?

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 23/07/2019 16:45

One of my instructors students knocked off a wing mirror, he didn't make her pay for it. It's a hazard of the job. Don't pay!

Somanyshoes · 23/07/2019 16:57

I'm still struggling to comprehend a driving instructor calling out a company to change a tyre. My first 'how to change a tyre' tutorial was whilst I was out on a driving lesson, rural Lincolnshire in 1991. One lesson, we suddenly had a puncture, driving instructor made/taught me how to change a tyre. It was a Nissan Micra. Never dreamed of calling anyone out, it was used as a 'learning' experience. Grin

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 16:59

I'm still struggling to comprehend a driving instructor calling out a company to change a tyre.

Consider that they may have a reason for doing so. Knowing and being able are not the same.

I know how to change a tyre, have done it many many times. Unfortunately my health doesn't allow me that ability anymore.

PurplePuffinPicker · 23/07/2019 17:27

Don't use them again! If they have no insurance (as the lack of mot invalidates it) it also means that if you have an accident and are injured you won't be entitled to any payout that you might otherwise have been entitled to. What if you'd written off her car - would she have a expected you to buy a new one?

Getting a car MOTed is something I often leave until the last minute, and have sometimes been unable to drive it for a day or two due to my lack of organisation, but I don't run my business from it. She should be bang up to date with stuff like this, there's no excuse.

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 17:30

If they have no insurance (as the lack of mot invalidates it) it also means that if you have an accident and are injured you won't be entitled to any payout that you might otherwise have been entitled to.

This is not how it works. No MOT does not automatically mean that insurers won't pay out.

Ruxx · 23/07/2019 17:43

I'm a driving instructor.
I can assure that this is entirely your driving instructor's fault.
It is illegal for any driver to be on the road without proper insurance and MOT, as driving instructors we have to especially take care of this.
When you're instructor was teaching you without MOT he was already breaking the law. Had he been caught, his car would have been towed away.
Also, when teaching we always know in time if a pupil is about to mount the kerb, if your instructor had not seen that in time then he must have been distracted by something other than what you were doing. I'm wondering if he was on his phone or something? We anticipate these kinds of faults in time to pull the steering away or use our dual brake. Again, if he has allowed that to happen then it is not your fault.
Without MOT his insurance is also invalidated which means he was driving and teaching without insurance as well as MOT.
He is now trying to wriggle his way out of this by making you believe this is all your fault.
Refuse to pay, he can not do anything about it legally, do not let him bully you into paying.
And please find yourself another driving instructor.

PepsiLola · 23/07/2019 17:59

I have crashed twice in driving instructors cars (I don't drive now as a result even though I am in my 30s)

One of my crashes was like yours, I had to get out the car and replace the tyre as part of my "lesson". I didn't have to pay anything more, I was not punished, I believe things like this are covered in the overall costs of lessons.

No MOT tho?! Wow!

cannycat20 · 23/07/2019 18:14
  1. Why on earth does your instructor have no valid MoT - assuming they are a registered DoT instructor and this is actually their livelihood and it isn't just a friend taking you out for practice? Like others on here, sometimes I've been a day or so late getting my car to the garage so haven't been able to drive it until I could get it booked in, but I don't rely on driving for my livelihood!
  1. I'm not suggesting you buy this yourself as it's not exactly cheap but your instructor might find it useful to be aware of the very regularly updated guide store.lexisnexis.co.uk/products/apil-guide-to-rta-liability-third-edition-skuuksku9781784733964APGRL379124/details, produced by one of the world's leading legal publishers.
  1. How come your instructor didn't know how to change a tyre and/or have RAC or AA or Green Flag or whatever coverage? And I'm not being funny, but why didn't he have a tyre repair kit and/or a spare tyre in the boot like most of us do? (Or used to.)
  1. Surely the instructor's insurance is fully comp? I'd be wondering what insurance he actually had though and what it covered; £50 does sound about the cost for a new tyre, unfortunately, but surely a fully comp policy for an ADI would cover this type of thing? It must happen all the time!
  1. Isn't the instructor actually responsible for you anyway when you're driving his car until you've passed your test? Can any ADIs advise? I see there's already at least one on the thread who has given you very sensible advice.
  1. Definitely change instructor.
Tracy6E · 23/07/2019 18:14

I'm a driving instructor, and it is shocking that this person was teaching and charging for lessons in a vehicle that was not road worthy. Are you sure this person was full qualified ADI? As far as paying for any damage to the tyre - YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY. Any damage to the car during a lesson is not the responsibility of the pupil.

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 18:21
  1. Green Flag refused to come out
  1. The driving instructor is liable to keep their car maintenances the same as any other driver. That includes servicing and repairs. They don't suddenly come under insurance because it's a driving instructors car
Aragog · 23/07/2019 18:28

No MOT does not automatically mean that insurers won't pay out.

For some insurance companies then no MOT does mean insurance is invalid, though often there is an exception for if driving to its MOT inspection.

I would expect a driving instructor's insurance to be fairly strict in what it does and doesn't cover - more so than a general one.

whatswithtodaytoday · 23/07/2019 18:32

I did this on a test (I know... Hmm). My instructor certainly did not ask me to pay! He will have insurance to cover it, it's part of being an instructor - the car is bound to get some damage.

taylorowmu · 23/07/2019 18:32

@Aragog

It's decided on a case by case basis and it's unlikely any third parties would be excluded.

The idea that no insurance automatically invalidates insurance is incorrect.

RageAgainstTheVendingMachine · 23/07/2019 18:32
  1. Contact the driving school - ask for a refund/part refund of the lesson unless it happened right at the end of it
  2. Ask for refund of your taxi fare
  3. Either switch instructors if you were happy enough originally or find a new driving school.

The cheek is strong in this one. You are not at fault.

Passthecherrycoke · 23/07/2019 18:34

@whatswithtodaytoday I sort of did too- drove out the test centre to a junction where there had just been a minor accident and lots of glass debris from the lights on the floor. I didn’t know what to do, so just guessed and sort of drove round it. I passed! Anyway I also caused a slow puncture and my instructor had to cancel the next days lessons to get a replacement 😭

TheRLodger · 23/07/2019 18:52

A tyre punctuated in the instructors cars when I learned to drive. Didn’t even realise till after my lesson. He certainly didn’t ask me to cough up for it

cassy09 · 23/07/2019 19:52

I am a driving instructor, minor accidents can occur on lessons, but I have never charged a pupil for any damages.
It is illegal not to have an MOT, any professional driving instructor should know this. I wouldn't pay and would look for a new instructor, ask friends and family who have recently passed for recommendation.

Caspa3007 · 23/07/2019 20:47

Hi I've just signed up just to answer your thread.
I'm an ADI and had a couple of students puncture tyres by hitting the curb. It is the instructors fault as they are there to teach you to drive and keep you safe on the road.
I would never ask any of my students to pay for any repairs on my car as it is my responsibility and not theirs. Tell your instructor to do one and find someone else.

Sooverthemill · 23/07/2019 20:57

Gosh so many driving instructors signing up to mumsnet! If you know the licence plate number you can dine out if a car has a valid MOT. As you were confused about the insurance/breakdown thing you may not have got it right but if the instructor does not have an MOT they shouldn't be teaching. It is an easy thing to miss ( I guess) but surely they have an reminder system as part of their business?

15YemenRoad · 23/07/2019 21:11

Do you know the car reg? If so enter it here www.gov.uk/check-mot-status you can then check if her MOT has expired or if it is still valid.

If not, ask her to confirm the car registration for you. Upon checking, if you find out that the MOT has expired, you tell her that it is illegal and that you are not liable here. There is no way you should be paying for this. Whilst I understand it's an absolute nuisance for her, there will be procedures and practices put in place for her to solve this without charging the pupil. Fortunately, the issue is not that big!

This should be reported to the driving school as the car could be a hazard on the road. I'm shocked however that they're not monitoring their staff?

Don't feel threatened OP, driving can be intimidating and understanding terminology and the rules of the road takes time - you will get there.

I would advise changing instructors and claiming those 5 lessons you have had via the school with a new instructor as you've been learning in a car with no valid MOT (should this be the case).

Best of luck!

WhoKnewBeefStew · 23/07/2019 21:15

As a trading driving instructor he should have a valid mot! It’s disgraceful he’s not got one and could be prosecuted.

He should also cover the cost of any damage that his students incur to his car. This is all part and parcel of your lessons.

He is a complete cowboy and I’d consider reporting him to his governing body! And go and find yourself a reputable company. DO NOT pay him a penny

Snollygoster2019 · 23/07/2019 22:31

Sorry, cannot resist. It is kerb, not curb.

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