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Original poster

Had an accident in driving instructors car - he said I have to pay for it

590 replies

Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 14:48

A question for uk learner drivers

I had a driving lesson today and I had an accident, I took the wing mirror off when passing a parked car. Instructor said he’ll try to lower the price as much as possible but he’ll be in touch with how much I need to pay. Is this right? Do I need to pay? My previous driving instructor said if there was an accident then his insurance covers the damage

I feel like he’s trying to con me. This was the first lesson I ever had with the guy, I had about 50 lessons with my other instructor and he made sure I didn’t have any accidents by using the dual control. This guy today just tilted the steering wheel away from the parked car and it still hit it.

OP posts:
starfishmummy · 15/03/2023 17:33

well even if that is the case, I don’t know what I’m responsible for and what I’m meant to do in a situation like that. there’s so many rules, it’s not like I’m going to be driving again so if points do get placed on my license so be it.

Driving is all about rules. To stop people.in heavy lumps of metal from bashing into each other (or into people). After the number of lessons you had then you should be familiar with most of them including what to do in an accident.

As you seem to thinknthey are an inconvenience then its probably as well that you do not want to continue learning.

SmartHome · 15/03/2023 17:36

this:

Don’t pay anything
Find another driving instructor
Do NOT let this put you off carrying on lessons - you’ll regret not passing your test if you give up and every big break you take from lessons will set you back again - just get another instructor asap

A professional lorry driver took the wing of my car last year!

DawntilDusk4 · 15/03/2023 17:38

I don’t agree OP should give up many learners come to me traumatised by previous experiences. There are many illegal driving instructors out there too. 50 hours with bad instructors only serves to make you a worse driver than before you even started. Do your research. Check ADI badge on commencement. Expect to pay a premium of between £50 to £60 for one hour lessons. Don’t let this put you off. It will all be a memory soon enough. You are more informed now of what is needed from yourself as a learner and a competent driving instructor. Be reassured many of my students when they start are nervous wrecks who are so afraid of the car and driving it breaks my heart. After 10 hours they are like a different person. You need a more bespoke tailored approach.

ActDottie · 15/03/2023 17:44

Do not pay! That’s what his insurance is for

Paul2023 · 15/03/2023 17:45

No is the answer. You don’t need to have your own insurance policy because you’re a learner.
You’re not obliged to give him cash either as that’s what insurance is for. He should have insurance and expect learners to have accidents.
I wouldn’t pay him anything.

ChilliBandit · 15/03/2023 17:45

God some posters on here are such arseholes and apparently are all perfect drivers who never make a mistake.

I echo what other posters are saying that you shouldn’t pay and to find a new instructor. I also bet he doesn’t have the proper insurances to be an instructor.

ShandaLear · 15/03/2023 17:45

How would he even know how much it would cost? He didn’t stop, he didn’t note the car reg., he didn’t leave a note, nothing. He has no way of knowing who the owner is to reimburse him/her. He’s trying to get you to pay and he has no intention of using the money to have that mirror repaired or giving it to the owner so they can have it repaired. He’ll pocket every penny. What a shyster!

GoodChat · 15/03/2023 17:48

ShandaLear · 15/03/2023 17:45

How would he even know how much it would cost? He didn’t stop, he didn’t note the car reg., he didn’t leave a note, nothing. He has no way of knowing who the owner is to reimburse him/her. He’s trying to get you to pay and he has no intention of using the money to have that mirror repaired or giving it to the owner so they can have it repaired. He’ll pocket every penny. What a shyster!

He's talking about the repairs to his own car

Ivecomeoutoflurking · 15/03/2023 17:50

Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 16:22

@WilsonMilson even if there’s no visible damage to the other car is it still wrong for him to have told me to keep driving?

i sent the driving school a second email saying that he pulled me over, looked at the other car in the rear view mirror and told me to keep going. Just so that I’m covered

Apologies I haven't read the full thread. So this may have been said. Surely if he did not exit the car and get details of whoever owned the car that had been damaged then who is he planning on paying with the money you give him? Sounds very dodgy

justmyluck1234 · 15/03/2023 17:50

No that's why they have insurance. You shouldn't have to pay a penny.

Ludo19 · 15/03/2023 17:50

Please don't give up on your lessons OP. If you enjoy it, stick at it.

Justforlaffs · 15/03/2023 17:55

You should have stopped the car to check for damage. You could be done for leaving the scene of an accident.

Absolute bollocks.

The driving instructor will be the one responsible, if anyone. But seeing as he told the op to drive off without leaving any info that’s clearly not going to happen is it?

The owner of the other car wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on in going after the op (which they can’t as they are oblivious to who was driving) and would have to chase the driving instructor who’s insurance will cover the damage - that’s if this chancer even HAS the appropriate insurance.

Paul2023 · 15/03/2023 17:58

How does the instructor know the extent of the damage to the parked car? He technically asked you to drive away from the scene of an accident.
His responsibility. He is the professional instructor supervising you .

Ihategoingtothehairdressers · 15/03/2023 18:06

I had about 50 lessons with my other instructor and he made sure I didn’t have any accidents by using the dual control. This guy today just tilted the steering wheel away from the parked car and it still hit it.

The 'dual control' are pedals. They put the clutch in and brake, and don't stop you taking a wing mirror off! Of course he used the steering wheel - that's how you steer the car in the direction you need to go!!!

If you'd done this simple thing, you obviously wouldn't have hit anything...

cakeorwine · 15/03/2023 18:06

For those people who think the learner driver should pay off their insurance when in a driving instructor's car:

How do you get insurance for someone else's car when you don't have your own car?

You have to give car details when you get car insurance.

So what car details do you give?

macshoto · 15/03/2023 18:07

If you would like an unbiased answer from an independent driving instructor, you could put your question to the following website: diaryofanadi.co.uk/?page_id=1444

He's a driving instructor with a really informative blog, and I am sure this would be one he would like to address. I am sure he will have opinions about this.

SinnerBoy · 15/03/2023 18:10

GoodChat · Today 16:28

www.hg.org/legal-articles/who-is-at-fault-in-driving-school-vehicle-accidents-49649

OP there are a few articles on line that are worth reading. It seems that you're the one at fault for the accident and not him, although he can be held accountable for not properly supervising.

I've linked this thread to a friend, who is a driving instructor and he confirms that the learner is in charge of the car and that something spectacularly bad needs to happen, for an instructor to be held responsible.

He has several claims annually, very rarely for a crash resulting from a pupil. Any crash should be used as a learning opportunity. He will stop, try to find the other car owner and assess the damage, taking photos and will get the registration and leave contact details, if the other party can't be found.

He always goes through the insurance and it doesn't go up, like ordinary driving insurance. They expect prangs and it's factored into the cost.

He thinks that your instructor probably wanted to avoid time off the road, having the damage assessed and repairs done, although large driving schools have pool cars, or other instructors will loan, if they're having time off. He will also find it difficult to claim for repairs to his own vehicle, as he hasn't exchanged / left his details, hence the CF wanting you to pay.

Do not pay, he's got you to commit an offence, by leaving the scene. He has insurance to cover damage, but he didn't want the hassle, for whatever reason, so although the crash is your responsibility (it's a minor, everyday thing) he's the author of his own misfortunes.

He may well get points on his licence, if the Police find out and take action. At 6 points, he'll lose his instructor licence permanently.

Plumnora · 15/03/2023 18:10

starfishmummy · 15/03/2023 17:33

well even if that is the case, I don’t know what I’m responsible for and what I’m meant to do in a situation like that. there’s so many rules, it’s not like I’m going to be driving again so if points do get placed on my license so be it.

Driving is all about rules. To stop people.in heavy lumps of metal from bashing into each other (or into people). After the number of lessons you had then you should be familiar with most of them including what to do in an accident.

As you seem to thinknthey are an inconvenience then its probably as well that you do not want to continue learning.

You seem nice (eye roll ). I had lessons for ages and didn't pass till my third attempt. Now I drive for a living. A friend failed 7 times before finally passing. The OP shouldn't have to pay a penny. Insurance costs are included in the price of the lesson and accidents are covered by insurance.
OP, please get some legal advice as this is decidedly dodgy. And find a new instructor who makes you feel confident and comfortable. Once I started using a new instructor who didn't smoke (it was the 90s) and bring me to verge of tears like the one before him did, I passed my test and you will too.

cakeorwine · 15/03/2023 18:11

macshoto · 15/03/2023 18:07

If you would like an unbiased answer from an independent driving instructor, you could put your question to the following website: diaryofanadi.co.uk/?page_id=1444

He's a driving instructor with a really informative blog, and I am sure this would be one he would like to address. I am sure he will have opinions about this.

The question about insurance / damage to the instructor's car is obvious.

As for legal responsibility / driving off especially in a dual control car - I guess that's more complex

If you have a learner in the car and you are the responsible driver in the passenger seat and you are on your mobile phone, you can be prosecuted for driving and using a mobile phone

lieselotte · 15/03/2023 18:11

The nasty comments on this thread are something to behold.

OP, you do not have to pay him anything. He has or should have insurance.

Find a new instructor.

Mateyduck · 15/03/2023 18:13

He has insurance, he just doesn’t want to use it as his premium will raise. Tell him
no, it’s his job and he needs to make a claim!

WeeOrcadian · 15/03/2023 18:13

This is an aside. - you state that you're too low to see - this is a massive red flag. You need to be able to see the road, the vehicle you're driving and other vehicles.
Do you not adjust the seat / mirrors / etc when you get into the car? How can you drive a vehicle you don't have spatial awareness of?
I say.this kindly and not to get at you, your driving instructor should be making sure you can see properly, before you even set off

Hiddenvoice · 15/03/2023 18:13

Op do not pay him. He took control of the wheel to move you away but you still hit the car. He took the decision to drive away from the accident. He’s decided you should pay but he should be going through his insurance. He sounds very dodgy and is not following the rules.

Personally I’d contact a free lawyer or citizens advice to gain some legal perspective. It’s good you’ve contacted the driving school but if he’s sun contracted then all they will do is drop him if they find he is in the wrong.

Do not give up driving due to this. Either go back to your previous instructor or go to a bigger company and read their ts and cs before you arrange a lesson with them.

Original poster
Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 18:14

whatausername · 15/03/2023 17:07

For heaven's sake, then you stop the car, check the other car and leave your details. You are an adult who is learning to control a ton of metal. No, you should not pay but you are not a flipping child. Your attitude is unbelievably lacking in self-reflection, self-awareness and responsibility, instead it is all about arse-covering and money. Wise up if you want to be on the road.

And, before you start bleating, people telling you that you need to work on things or be more aware is not that people are denying that accidents happen or that they are claiming to be perfect. They are picking up on your attitude. Accidents have causal and contributing factors by the way.

Show quote history

I’m 20 years old, and i have not had much experience. I do not know what I’m doing and I didn’t know any better, he told me to keep driving so I did.
if you had read my early replies then you’d see that I’m far from lacking self awareness for fks sake. I said I wasn’t bothering with lessons again, which I won’t be.

OP posts:
Tomatowentsplat · 15/03/2023 18:15

No this isn't right. You don't pay. He should have helped prevent that accident but in any case he is insured for it.
Don't go back out with him