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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:
Original poster
Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 15:31

@saraclara yeah that seems like the case.

what am I supposed to do then? I cant see why I’d have to pay it since his insurance should cover it but I don’t want to be in trouble

OP posts:
feelinglikeanewparent · 15/03/2023 15:31

You're a learner. Instructors are supposed to have insurance in place to cover the fact that strangers are learning to drive in said car.

Do not pay. His insurance should cover it.

Then find another instructor.

neilyoungismyhero · 15/03/2023 15:31

Don't give up on your lessons because of this OP. As another poster advised find a driving instructor who specialises in nervous learners.
My daughter passed her test in the early afternoon and proceeded to do similar later that day. She also let the car roll into a wire fence and broke the headlight within days. She was and is an excellent driver..these things often happen to novices.

BritishDesiGirl · 15/03/2023 15:33

FlyingCherries · 15/03/2023 15:24

fucking hell, do not ‘block him and go on your merry way’. He’ll have insurance but YOU ARE THE NAMED DRIVER WHO CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. This will affect your insurance in the future so you need to be fully involved.

No she's not the named driver. She is learner, the actual licence holder is responsible for any accidents.

CremeEggThief · 15/03/2023 15:34

OP you're not going to be in any trouble over this. On the other hand he might be, especially if he has deliberately tried to scam you into paying.

funnelfan · 15/03/2023 15:34

he didn’t get out and check. He just looked at the car in the rear view mirror and told me to drive on.

This is not a good driving instructor, regardless of the situation over who pays the broken wing mirror (not you). You should always stop after even a small prang and exchange/leave your details.

MyriadOfTravels · 15/03/2023 15:35

Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 15:30

@DawntilDusk4 he didn’t get out and check. He just looked at the car in the rear view mirror and told me to drive on.
and I looked on the website and they are self employed driving instructors, they don’t work for the driving school

You mean he TOLD YOU NOT TO STOP AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT?!?

Sorry for shouting but how on earth does he know if the other car wasnt damaged too?
Why didn't he stop and check/leave a message on the car? All the very normal things to do when you have accident?

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:35

After 50 lessons you shouldn't be hitting wing mirrors

yentirb · 15/03/2023 15:36

Do not pay him a penny and get in touch with the instructors company and raise
It with them

cakeorwine · 15/03/2023 15:36

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:35

After 50 lessons you shouldn't be hitting wing mirrors

Not the point of the OP.

BritishDesiGirl · 15/03/2023 15:36

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:35

After 50 lessons you shouldn't be hitting wing mirrors

STFU, honestly.

cakeorwine · 15/03/2023 15:37

Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 15:31

@saraclara yeah that seems like the case.

what am I supposed to do then? I cant see why I’d have to pay it since his insurance should cover it but I don’t want to be in trouble

What can he do?

It's his insurance
His car
He could try a small claims court but I think he would be laughed out of there.

CremeEggThief · 15/03/2023 15:37

FlyingCherries, this is 100% the driving instructor's fault and 0% the OP's.🙄

MyriadOfTravels · 15/03/2023 15:38

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:35

After 50 lessons you shouldn't be hitting wing mirrors

Not helpful at all. Some people take longer, much longer.

And this has nothing to do with @Yupbabs question regarding insurrance etc...

Ishoos · 15/03/2023 15:39

Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 15:30

@DawntilDusk4 he didn’t get out and check. He just looked at the car in the rear view mirror and told me to drive on.
and I looked on the website and they are self employed driving instructors, they don’t work for the driving school

definitely find a new instructor - he should have stopped and left his details - he is liable for damage to the parked car. I would not be paying for damage, he should claim from his insurance. Don’t let this put you off. Ask around for recommendations for a new instructor.

callthataspade · 15/03/2023 15:39

Huh. He left the scene of a crash. He didn't leave his details

So who is he proposing to pay for damages?

I mean it's all dodgy as fuck...

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/03/2023 15:40

@Yupbabs

Please don't give up driving. Lots of people hit wing mirrors even experienced drivers. It happens. I did it when I was learning to drive (I was not asked to pay).

NowAAT · 15/03/2023 15:40

FlyingCherries · 15/03/2023 15:24

fucking hell, do not ‘block him and go on your merry way’. He’ll have insurance but YOU ARE THE NAMED DRIVER WHO CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. This will affect your insurance in the future so you need to be fully involved.

NO. you are very wrong. Go and do some research and then come back and give the OP advice.

OP, again you are not in any form of trouble. You owe the instructor NOTHING.

HJ40 · 15/03/2023 15:40

FlyingCherries · 15/03/2023 15:24

fucking hell, do not ‘block him and go on your merry way’. He’ll have insurance but YOU ARE THE NAMED DRIVER WHO CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. This will affect your insurance in the future so you need to be fully involved.

Well there's an interesting question... if the instructor was in control of the wheel at the point of impact, who was responsible? What's to say OP wouldn't have swerved out of the way in time? (Devil's advocate).

RedDoughnut · 15/03/2023 15:40

Don't let this put you off OP.

Just get a better instructor

WilsonMilson · 15/03/2023 15:40

Total con, you should t have to pay a penny. Your payment covers all insurance.

Is it an above board driving instructor? Is it his own business?
I would report him to the DVSA and I would never get back in his car again.

Original poster
Yupbabs · 15/03/2023 15:41

@CremeEggThief he apparently is self employed but is a part of the driving school. it says that the driving school has no liability over what happens between instructor and learner.

how should I go about this then? Do I just refuse to pay the guy or do I need to get someone involved?

And thank you. It means a lot since I’m very anxious over this right now.

OP posts:
tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 15/03/2023 15:41

OP ignore people knocking how many lessons you have had ... I probably had coming on for 50 and passed on my fifth attempt Grin I'd say I'm actually one of the most careful drivers I know now.

LilacLemur · 15/03/2023 15:41

Do you have a local Facebook page where you can post anonymously and ask if others have had the same problem?

Jackthelast · 15/03/2023 15:42

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:35

After 50 lessons you shouldn't be hitting wing mirrors

Don't be so fucking ridiculous.

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