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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:
Shamdyhandy · 15/03/2023 23:00

@Yupbabs experienced drivers may have a one off blip. They don’t routinely have 1-2 times in an hour lesson that the instructor has to pull them away from other cars.

And I don’t understand a. Why you couldn’t see over the bonnet and b. Why you drove the fucking car if you couldn’t see over the bonnet? You could have killed someone.

yes, your instructor is shit and that’s not disputed but you have to take some responsibility for driving or you shouldn’t do it

FlyingCherries · 15/03/2023 23:00

Do try an automatic, it is much easier. It sounds like the instructor should have had you somewhere very quiet while you got used to the car - if he turned the steering wheel you must have been heading for actually crashing into the car, not just hitting the wing mirror so you really had no sense of the width of the car at all. But tbh, he should have spotted that before it happened, he sounds rubbish.

TerrysNeapolitan · 15/03/2023 23:01

If you have had had 50 lessons with another instructor and this has happened with the new one I would say that your competency in driving is very low. this is an excessive amount of lessons to be then involved in such an incident. unpopular post I am sure but I've never heard of someone having so many lessons.

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 15/03/2023 23:02

TerrysNeapolitan · 15/03/2023 23:01

If you have had had 50 lessons with another instructor and this has happened with the new one I would say that your competency in driving is very low. this is an excessive amount of lessons to be then involved in such an incident. unpopular post I am sure but I've never heard of someone having so many lessons.

You haven't read the effing thread then, have you.

Sshiamreading · 15/03/2023 23:07

TerrysNeapolitan · 15/03/2023 23:01

If you have had had 50 lessons with another instructor and this has happened with the new one I would say that your competency in driving is very low. this is an excessive amount of lessons to be then involved in such an incident. unpopular post I am sure but I've never heard of someone having so many lessons.

The DVLA recommended something like a minimum of 40 lessons and 20 private lessons and the pass rate is only 50% first time so it’s very common to take 50+ lessons.

@Yupbabs good move to call 101 and I don’t if you’ve mentioned this but hope you have now emailed or texted the instructor to state you will not be paying and advising him you are aware he should have stopped. This will deter him from hassling you again!

there are plenty of experienced drivers who are generally considered good who have minor accidents now and again, but it sounds like you haven’t had the best of instructors or manual is a bit much for you so as pp have said I’d recommend switching to automatic. That’s what I’ve done and I find it easier. You’re very young though so you can easily take a break from driving until you feel a bit more ready to learn again.

Cornchip · 15/03/2023 23:08

mintbiscuit · 15/03/2023 22:50

This. And you’re taking wing mirrors off?

Show quote history

To be fair, I had my wing mirror pinged off when driving down the road by a man in his 50s when we were both driving down a country road. He was well over the line and going faster than he should have been.

He would have been driving, presumably, 30+ years at this point. When you’re learning, you’re expected to make mistakes, hence the need for dual controls.

I’ve seen far too many awful drivers, and they’ve all been middle aged to elderly, all of which have probably been driving between 30 and 50 years.

You can be experienced and still be a shit driver.

TerrysNeapolitan · 15/03/2023 23:11

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 15/03/2023 23:02

You haven't read the effing thread then, have you.

Show quote history

All I know I have been driving for 35 years and never taken a wing mirror off. Jeez.

cherish123 · 15/03/2023 23:18

Citizens Advice Bureau? They might be able to help. A solicitor could help but this could be costly.

I am no expert but it sounds odd you would have to pay. They would have special insurance. This sort of thing must happen all the time. You haven't signed anything so I doubt they could force you to pay.

The whole thing would make me uncomfortable and I would not be going back there.

lamaze1 · 15/03/2023 23:27

Hi OP, I'd be should be registered and you can report this to them see this link www.gov.uk/complain-about-a-driving-instructor

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain it's mandatory for the instructor to have had adequate insurance in place too.

lamaze1 · 15/03/2023 23:27

*he should be. Not I'd

lamaze1 · 15/03/2023 23:29

*gah!

should have said "he should be registered with the dvsa!"

Original poster
Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 23:35

@TerrysNeapolitan how long ago did you pass?! It’s common to have 50 hours worth of lessons.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 23:37

@TerrysNeapolitan there’s more to do during lessons nowadays, you did your test years ago. It’s not the same anymore.
you haven’t taken a mirror off, good for you, but plenty of experienced drivers have

OP posts:
Original poster
Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 23:39

@Shamdyhandy because that’s the car the fucking instructor provided for my lessons. And I’m only 5’1.
I could’ve, but I didn’t. I took the wing mirror off I didn’t mow somebody down so I don’t know what your fucking issue is pal.
you clearly live under a rock if you think I’m the only one who struggled with lessons, give me a break ya twat.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 23:42

Shamdyhandy · 15/03/2023 23:00

@Yupbabs experienced drivers may have a one off blip. They don’t routinely have 1-2 times in an hour lesson that the instructor has to pull them away from other cars.

And I don’t understand a. Why you couldn’t see over the bonnet and b. Why you drove the fucking car if you couldn’t see over the bonnet? You could have killed someone.

yes, your instructor is shit and that’s not disputed but you have to take some responsibility for driving or you shouldn’t do it

Besides, it’s not as if i couldn’t see the road. I had full view out the window but I couldn’t see the bonnet and the edges of the car. I struggled to see out the other car I learnt to drive in as well

OP posts:
IHateLegDay · 15/03/2023 23:54

OP please don't let this incident (and all the bitchy, nasty posters) knock your confidence.

I really struggled with driving (and I was learning automatic) and just couldn't get my head around it. My instructor even said that I should consider if driving is for me.
I had about 50-60 hours and then one day it clicked. I was still really nervous driving but after I passed my test, I forced myself to drive daily and then started driving further and further.
I now love driving and although I still get a bit nervous if I'm driving somewhere new, I'm so thankful I didn't give up.

You can do this xx

Moser85 · 15/03/2023 23:55

Shamdyhandy · 15/03/2023 23:00

@Yupbabs experienced drivers may have a one off blip. They don’t routinely have 1-2 times in an hour lesson that the instructor has to pull them away from other cars.

And I don’t understand a. Why you couldn’t see over the bonnet and b. Why you drove the fucking car if you couldn’t see over the bonnet? You could have killed someone.

yes, your instructor is shit and that’s not disputed but you have to take some responsibility for driving or you shouldn’t do it

The learner puts their trust in the instructor, and the instructor chooses the driving scenario of each lesson.

If his student is a danger on the road then the instructor shouldn't be putting her on the road.

SmartHome · 16/03/2023 00:00

aww @yupbabs ignore these arseholes. You're 20 and have had some really bad luck. I didnt pass my test until I was 28, second time, after more that a year of lessons and I had numerous scrapes and bumps in the first couple of year of driving, After that, you get used to it and I have driven without incident for 2 decades EXCEPT once about 15 years ago when I had 3 children under 5 in the back, all screaming or crying, a few days after giving birth, with stitches etc etc when I knocked someones mirror off as I was so tired I misjudged the clearance and the other time last year when a professional long distance lorry driver knocked mine off! All a massive PITA but that is what insurance is for.

Tell this instructor where to go. Have a break, have a rest, then find a really nice, friendly, professional instrutor who you feel comfortable with and start again. You are 20. You will look back on this and laugh, I promise you.

Asbopheasant · 16/03/2023 00:05

You are clearly NOT (dreaded block capitals) in the wrong. You were told to drive off. No doubt you felt this was wrong but you were listening to a professional and followed his advice (compliance). We are told from an early age to listen and agree with folk in authority. I have no idea why you are having such a hard time from some posters. After the incident you followed up with the police as you had had time to decompress from the this accident. Please do not let one (dodgy) driving instructor put you off. Do not let the benefit of your previous driving lessons go to waste. Enrol with another driving school and get back on the road. 😘

Ofcourseshecan · 16/03/2023 00:14

ScottishBeth · 15/03/2023 19:52

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.

I agree with all of this. Especially please don’t be put off by nasty and unnecessary comments. I think you need a better instructor. Can you get any recommendations, eg from friends or on local social media? Also, I learned late in life, and I chose to only learn automatic.

Crutcher · 16/03/2023 00:44

50 lessons and you still hit a wing mirror? You should sue your previous instructor.

Escapetofrance · 16/03/2023 00:55

50 lessons and you’re still hitting wing mirrors? You sound like me!
I hope you don’t have to pay. From what others have said, hopefully not.

VivaciousRadish · 16/03/2023 01:03

I hope you’re ok, you’ve had a few nasty comments here.

I hope eventually you will restart your lessons. I’m much older than you (kids your age) and have never learned after being put off at 17 by an instructor who kept asking for blow jobs in return for free driving lessons. I had ten lessons because my mum bought them for me for my birthday, and he was such a pervert he put me off. I wish I’d continued although not with him

I’m glad the police have put your mind at rest. He sounds like a chancer.

MakingTheVeganYorkshirePud · 16/03/2023 01:10

Get yourself another driving instructor and don't pay. They should have business insurance, and as you are a learner, they are responsible.

SinnerBoy · 16/03/2023 05:31

TerrysNeapolitan · Yesterday 23:11

All I know I have been driving for 35 years and never taken a wing mirror off. Jeez.

Oh, well done, you! Aren't you super? You win the internet today, have a banana.

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