Mini accident in driving instructors car

[lharris1]

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

Well, this is odd.

So you are the instructor Phil21. Time to give up the day job my man as it appears to be getting to you

Gosh Phil - feeling OK there?

Phil sounds a bit cross there

Phil

Is Prince Philip now doing driving lessons?

Don't pay and change instructor.

Damages to the car are included in the hourly fee you pay to the instructor.

If the MOT was invalid this is a massive and unforgivable error by your instructor as they have invalidated their insurance. If a really bad accident had happened the insurance wouldn't have paid out and if you had been injured you would not have been able to claim on insurance.

Thankfully driving instructors like Phil are in the minority.

Driving instructors are not doin their pupils a favour, they are delivering a service which has been paid for.

Of course all pupils should take care of the car as you would with anyone's property however accidents do happen when people are learning and instructors have insurance, breakdown cover and charge so as to allow for repairs etc.

This instructor let their MOT expire which meant he breakdown cover wouldn't come to help. They have the jump as they now have to pay. They should never have been giving lessons in a car without a valid MOT.

I hope Phil isn't providing lessons in the morning. Sounds a bit drunk.
Also worried that instructors are killing people.

Is Prince Philip now doing driving lessons

Fabulous

I used to be a driving instructor: on several occasions I had to change a wheel myself on the spot, when a learner hit the kerb. Tools out, wheel changed, job done. In a way I'm surprised learners don't have to do it as part of learning to drive.

Other points:

1. Check the instructor is qualified: they must have a green sticker in the windscreen saying "Approved Driving Instructor". If it's pink, they are a trainee. Not many people know this! If they have none at all, report to DVSA pronto. Instructors are regulated by the DVSA.

1. Surprisingly, it's not compulsory, but a good instructor would be able to change a wheel - see above.

1. Most instructors use new cars, less than three years old, so not needing MOT; but if one is needed, not having MOT in place is unthinkable. Report to DVSA, they would be very interested to know.

1. If you report to the driving school, don't be surprised if their response is indifferent - some of them care more about money than whether their instructors do a good job. DVSA can do something about it.

Is Prince Philip now doing driving lessons?

Switzerland is a strange example choice, as if you fail 3 tests you have to get a psychological assessment done evaluating why you failed, before they'll consider letting you try again. That's what my brother who lived there for years told me anyway.

@Phil21 what the hell are you on?? 😂

@RageAgainstTheVendingMachine

Excellent. 😂

Whether it's actually the mot, insurance or just the breakdown cover that has expired, the cost of all these things are factored in to the price of your lesson and if any one of them aren't valid for whatever reason that is not your responsibility OP. Don't feel terrible you are a learner driver and these things happen. You should not pay a penny.

Hello,

As a driving instructor I felt I should probably give a little reply. I can see many people have made you aware of the outrage of having to cover the cost, but there are multiple things that should be taken into consideration.

How long have you been learning to drive for? Are you experienced enough that you shouldn't be expected to go up a curb? If so, The driving instructor shouldn't have to grab the wheel to avoid such a situation.

Did your instructor get you to sign a disclaimer when you began lessons with them stating that you would be liable to cover any minor damage due to negligence? If not, You have a leg to stand on.

I as an instructor weigh up the odds, If you are a new learner and do not fully understand the full controls of the vehicle then I am expected to cover you in these circumstances..
But, If you've had 20+ hours and are fully aware of where your distance should be from the curb, I as the instructor should make you aware you're getting closer to the curb for you to fix the situation yourself, and possibly grab the wheel to protect the vehicle from damage if you're not correcting it yourself, but many learners also steer towards the opposite direction as natural instinct when an instructor grabs the steering - if this is not successful then £50 for a tyre is a fair price. My tyres cost £65 each from Ford - If one of my experienced pupils hit a curb to the point it shredded, Then I would ask them to cover the cost too - Only because they should already know better and that's over 2hours working hours for us to replace that tyre. But, Like I said, If they're a new learner - They dont know any better and I should of been more aware of the situation.

Take from this information anything you like.

As for his lack of MOT - That is a seperate issue entirely and therefore his vehicle should not legally be on the road. Although this is a situation he has put himself into, It does not detract from the tyre situation. No instructor I know would claim for a tyre through the insurance company either.

If you feel you would be happier with a new instructor then you need to make the decision that is correct for you, But do not feel as though he is wrong for asking for cover of damages if you are an experienced learner.

I hope this helps to see a little insight atleast?

Best of Luck,
TriixRose

Bollocks. You pay for lessons. You absolutely do not pay for a tyre. It doesn't matter how many hours driving you have had. What nonsense.

The OP said she was very new to driving, it was her 5th lesson and hadn't done her theory test yet.

I don't agree about making a learner pay for damage unless they do so maliciously, which would become a police matter anyway. Just because you put in a load of Terms & Conditions doesn't mean the contract will stand up if challenged through the courts.
You can kerb a tyre and need a new on without it being shredded if it's a sidewall puncture.

@TriixRose if you RTFT, or even just the OP posts you will see it was only their 5th lesson.

You will also see many professional driving instructors confirming they agree they are liable for damage to the car when they are instructing, or pupils who have had accidents and it wasn't even suggested they pay.

Of course there will be instructors who believe otherwise, I would avoid any instructor who asked my dc to sign anything making them liable for damage. Firstly as the instructor they should be competent to ensure their student, however experienced avoids accidents in most instances, or intervene and secondly, accidents do occur, and they should have it covered in their costs/insurance.

I did not comment to say she is obliged to pay, as mentioned I said it depends on the circumstances.

Personally, I have never had to ask a pupil to pay for a tyre because I dont allow an incident like that to occur. But there are many situations that can arise. If the learner has only had 5 lessons then the instructor should certainly be more aware of what's going on inside and outside of a vehicle and as mentioned by other instructors above, She should look into his licensing by the DVSA because it is regulated.

Also, I didnt say signing the agreement was to make the pupil liable, In my T&C's I actually make the pupil aware that they are covered for damages in my vehicle and whilst driving my vehicle are also covered by my insurance. I always read out the brief small writing too because many teens dont read small print and I like to make them aware of the Pros and Cons.

As i also said, If she is not happy with her instructor, Then change - As a pupil you have the choice to make that decision but I felt it's best that all circumstances be taken into consideration - Not just jumping on the bandwagon - I am very open minded and that is why I thought I would also share a comment, I didnt write it to be seen in a negative light so I will finish with my replies here.

Best of luck with all of your future lessons to the lady who posted and everyone else with your future posts and discussions.

I did not comment to say she is obliged to pay, as mentioned I said it depends on the circumstances.

It doesnt. The instructor is at it.

OP, I suggest calling the driving school and asking them for the registration of your driving instructor's car. You are perfectly entitled to be able to check the road worthiness of a vehicle you are expected to drive.
Put the reg into this www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
And find out if and for how long it has been without a valid MOT. If it is the case then make a complaint to the driving school because it is illegal to drive and worse, provide lessons, in an car without a valid MOT if it's old enough to need one.

And I disagree with what @TriixRose says. If a pupil has not passed their test then they are a learner, whether they're an hour or a hundred hours in. Only qualified drivers should be expected to drive without the expectation of a possible screw up. It is the whole reason that a learner driver must have a responsible, sober, fully insured, qualified driver with minimum 3 years driving experience supervising them.

Wow thank you all for the informative posts really appreciated!

Also, what a shame I missed Phil’s post 😅 dying to know what was said