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

[Yupbabs]

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.

@Yupbabs PLEASE don’t give up driving!
All you need is a good teacher.
My instructor had a student damage his car, and the student didn’t have to pay.
( Damage to a tyre)
However, he said in case of speeding, a student WOULD have to pay.
Learning to drive is stressful, but it f Maureen could pass all those years ago, ( TV ) You certainly can!
Best of luck.

Hi OP. I just want to tell you (as well) to ignore some of the criticism on this thread. I was well into my 30s when I learned to drive and I would have done exactly what you did - which was listen to the professional in the car with me. And also the only reason I didn't ever knock my instructor's wing mirror off was because my instructor did their job! And made sure I was safe.

Also people are being horrible about criticising you for the number of lessons you've had. It took me over 15 months to pass my test. I had almost weekly lessons.

I hope you don't let this put you off. I had over a year of lessons with one instructor and it just wasn't clicking for me. I changed instructor and moved to learning in an automatic and less than 4 months later I passed my test. I've been driving a few years now and my driving is fine. I quite enjoy it a lot of the time as well.

Also if I may add. Report him to the dvsa as they are the higher power that all instructors have to report to. It would be handy if you have his badge number (PRN) but they will still have him on record by his name. If you don’t have his full details then do demand the driving school furnish you with these. Tell them the police want to know if they get shady.

Just to clarify also. The dvsa would expect an instructor to be able to see that was about to happen and stop it. He may be a trainee and you’ve not been told by the driving school - this happens a lot. He’s required by law to have a badge in the upper left of windscreen if charging for lessons. If it’s green he’s a fully qualified instructor and if it’s pink he’s a trainee.

The other thing to be aware of is speeding and jumping red lights is always the learners responsibility so don’t do that on lessons or you could get points before you’ve even passed. Before anyone queries this, I know 100% that this is fact.

You sound like a great instructor.
I agree, there are lots of AWFUL instructors out there- @Yupbabs Find a good one by word of mouth.
I was terrified of driving, but had a very calm instructor ( After some that were not nice) and passed first time.
As did Others who used this instructor.
Teaching driving is a real skill.
You Can do it!

My very nervous neighbour took seven goes to pass her test.
Loves driving now. 💯

Well done OP for persisting, I too had difficulties learning to drive. We don’t all need the same amount of hours to learn, so what?

I got my licence at 18 but then never drove as hated it and only at 35+ had the courage to start again (I took 20h of lessons, despite being legally allowed to drive).

Oh and switch to an automatic, no brainer! One less thing to think about.

Thanks @oakleaffy I’ve loved the job and most of my students have been middle aged women who were put off driving because if bad experiences I’ve never needed to advertise I am just known in the area and it’s all word of mouth recommendations. I’m retiring in the next few weeks just three students left to get to test.

So many are assuming he'll claim on his insurance. You wouldn't claim for a broken wing mirror ffs. The excess wouldn't be worth it.

That’s what insurance is for. Speak to the Driving Instructors Agency.
Definitely sounds dodgy.

@Yupbabs I passed my driving test on the third attempt after three years of lessons at not much older than you. I was a really nervous learner but I persevered and cracked it eventually. I went on to drive a couple of 7.5 tonnes and even some racing cars before I eventually had to give up because of ill health. Don’t completely give up just because of a dodgy day, but maybe think about switching to an automatic so you have less “cockpit stuff” to deal with?

Notifying the DVSA probably isn't a bad idea.

But surely even as a learner you should know that driving off after an accident is not right. Do they not teach you the highway code?

It even covers what to do if the car is not yours. (You give your details AND those of the owner of the car).

@starfishmummy they don't teach the Highway Code any more. You just learn enough to pass your theory.

That does not sound right at all. Sounds like he's trying to con you...

He's clearly taking the piss.

The learner can be considered liable, but the learner is covered on the instructors insurance during the lesson. Their insurance covers both learners and themselves.

I'm assuming he's not going to go through his insurance though and just wants you to cough up and pay for it.

This happens to me while on a driving test. My instructor’s insurance covered the damage and I never heard a thing about it.

If you had 50 prior lessons and on the 51st you took his mirror off , you shouldn’t be driving

So anyone who ever hits a wing mirror should never drive again? The OP had also had a 15 month gap. AND she wasn't steering the car at the time.

What stupid comments on here.

No FFS about it (no need to be so rude).

Some wing mirrors cost £££ to replace because the whole unit has to come out.

OP I've just seen you're only 20. For goodness sake don't give up because of one stupid man and ludicrous comments on here.

I second the advice to switch to an automatic - you don't need a manual these days with everything gradually moving to hybrid and electric cars. Much easier to drive. My son passed on a manual but has only driven my hybrid since. He doesn't see the point of gears! Ditto my DH.

GoodChat · Today 20:20

They do teach the Highway Code, otherwise, the learner won't pass. My friend has a few, who won't look at it and he spends half their lessons teaching them!

Hes trying it on! Cheeky sod. Also he told u to drive on so this is fully on him!

This is the Code of Practice for Approved Driving Instructors

www.gov.uk/government/publications/driving-instructor-code-of-practice/approved-driving-instructor-adi-code-of-practice

Part of that:

It’s illegal to charge someone for driving lessons if you’re not qualified and registered, or if you do not have a trainee driving instructor licence.

Also on insurance here

www.confused.com/driving-instructor-insurance

I guess they also need insurance if the learner driver injures themselves under your instruction? Liability Insurance as they are running a business

Apparently you can also get negligent tuition cover!

@lieselotte yes the long time without driving really made me nervous

I was driving but the driving instructor must’ve seen I was too close to the car and then he put his hand on the wheel to veer it away from the car but the parked car still got hit. The car was on his side as well so he knew exactly how far away we were but he still didn’t turn the wheel very far to avoid the collision.. part of me wonders if he let it happen purposely. I didn’t realise the car was that wide for starters, I couldn’t even see over the bonnet!

Yes, im aware driving off isn’t right. It’s common sense not to drive off but I did not have time to think. He told me to drive off and at that point I was still in shock, I didn’t have time to process it all. I listened to him since he is meant to know best and I just drove home.
the police know about it anyway because I phoned them.
if it was in my own car, I would’ve pulled over and had time to compose myself and then I would’ve got out and checked the other car, if there were signs of damage then I’d either leave a note with my details on or I’d knock on the door to the house. But he told me to drive off, and I naturally just listened to him. what else am I expected to do? he should’ve taken responsibility and got out and checked but he didn’t. He’s the instructor, it’s not on me.

I'm not sure why your getting stick for not stopping & giving details as the driving instructor is the professional in this situation and as police stated he was clearly wrong in not stopping reporting incident. Of course you'd be guided by what the instructor is telling you to do, imagine you were also feeling in shock and I think the instructor is taking advantage asking you to pay. I think you said it was first lesson after a long break so it is was also his responsibility to take you somewhere safer while he assess your driving skills and in busy urban environment it's easy to get distracted trying to process what's ahead of you and aren't used to judging size of car.

Don't give up lessons though it wasn't on you just need a better instructor perhaps ask around and see if any personal recommendations that sound like may suit. I had different instructor from driving school as mine had decided to leave and it was awful, kept bellowing instructions, made me really nervous and more went wrong worse I got. Switched and although took more lessons than most as anxious sort I did get full driving license.