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Original poster

Can a supervisor of a learner driver be prosecuted??

117 replies

Correc · 18/12/2023 13:25

My friend wants me to supervise him driving to North Wales which is a 3 hour drive from our area. I am aware that learners must display L or D plates and must not drive on motorways. However if he decides to not use L/D plates or drives on a motorway, obviously there is nothing I can do to stop him. Can I as the supervisor be prosecuted for anything if he gets caught by the police?

OP posts:
furtivetussling · 18/12/2023 14:06

Of course there is something you can do to stop him. You refuse to do it if he's not showing L-plates.

crumblingschools · 18/12/2023 14:11

Why haven't you already reported them for driving on their own?

CornishPorsche · 18/12/2023 14:13

Yes, you the supervisor would absolutely be prosecuted / receive a FPN for any offences linked with the learner driver in the same way as the driver. You are deemed to be the one in control and are therefore culpable.

Do not go with this person.

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Driving & parking
CointreauVersial · 18/12/2023 14:18

If you are supervising a Learner Driver and use your mobile phone (i.e. you are not actually the one driving) then YOU can receive a Fixed Penalty Notice. Likewise, if you are over the limit while supervising then YOU are the one prosecuted. I would imagine the same goes for driving on a motorway unauthorised.

Throwawayme · 18/12/2023 14:19

Many people don't do this. Don't get involved

BlochAndRoll · 18/12/2023 14:23

Any chance you could report this irresponsible idiot, rather than checking if you could technically get in trouble first before sitting quietly in the passenger seat with no intention of making a scene? Thanks, A Fellow Driver and Pedestrian x

Original poster
Correc · 18/12/2023 14:24

My gut is saying no and these replies are confirming it. He doesn’t know anyone else who can supervise so if I say no he can’t go. I’m going to come across as a bitch but my gut is still saying no.

OP posts:
BlochAndRoll · 18/12/2023 14:27

He will go though surely won't he? If he's been driving alone anyway? Why ask you now?

Thisreallyisntmyproblem · 18/12/2023 14:29

I don't know anyone who drives around without passing their test. You know some shit people. Don't do it. And report anyone you know who is doing this. The roads are dangerous enough without uninsured, unqualified drivers on them.
Can't believe you even considered this.

123ZYX · 18/12/2023 14:30

If he feels he's a good enough driver to drive unsupervised, he needs to take the test and prove it.

If he's not passed his test, you should report him because he is driving illegally and uninsured

Reugny · 18/12/2023 14:32

My gut is saying no and these replies are confirming it. He doesn’t know anyone else who can supervise so if I say no he can’t go. I’m going to come across as a bitch but my gut is still saying no.

Just say you can't do it.

You need to learn not to give people particularly men a reason why you can't help them out.

Oh and if he's driving through England to Wales then he is likely to get caught - simply because at Christmas there are generally more police out and about to catch idiot drink drivers.

HelpMeGetThrough · 18/12/2023 14:33

Correc · 18/12/2023 13:44

Basically, he doesn’t want people to know that do is only provisional because he drives around in his own. He only told me recently, I was understanding as I know many people do it.

On the strength of that, I would refuse to get in a car with him.

zigzag716746zigzag · 18/12/2023 14:38

OMG why the hell have you not reported him already?

You realise if he has an accident and kills someone driving alone, now that he has told you, you are technically an accomplice whether you are in the car or not?

purplecorkheart · 18/12/2023 14:39

Correc · 18/12/2023 14:24

My gut is saying no and these replies are confirming it. He doesn’t know anyone else who can supervise so if I say no he can’t go. I’m going to come across as a bitch but my gut is still saying no.

No he cannot drive there. There are buses/trains/taxis that he can use.
Say no. If he is speeding on country roads would he listen to you if you tell him to slow down?

gamerchick · 18/12/2023 14:40

Correc · 18/12/2023 13:44

Basically, he doesn’t want people to know that do is only provisional because he drives around in his own. He only told me recently, I was understanding as I know many people do it.

Tell him no OP. Your arse will be sweating all the way there and back.

Soontobe60 · 18/12/2023 14:41

WheelySquirrel · 18/12/2023 13:46

So if he drives around on his own he’s not insured either (as any insurance would be invalidated by not having a supervisor with him) - I really wouldn’t be getting involved with this OP.

Also, as the insurance is invalid, if you’ve knowingly got into the car with an uninsured driver and get injured in a crash, YOU won’t be able to claim either.

HelpMeGetThrough · 18/12/2023 14:43

zigzag716746zigzag · 18/12/2023 14:38

OMG why the hell have you not reported him already?

You realise if he has an accident and kills someone driving alone, now that he has told you, you are technically an accomplice whether you are in the car or not?

Edited

Just because the OP has been told, nobody can prove it.

Luxell934 · 18/12/2023 14:44

So you know he regularly drives around on his own unsupervised with no licence and no insurance 🙄That’s illegal. You should be reporting him to the police not thinking about doing a 3 hour drive with him.

.

underneaththeash · 18/12/2023 14:44

Why on earth is he driving round by himself too?
has he not bothered to do theory or something. It sounds as if he can drive, he just needs to sit his test.

and yes, you definitely do not want to get involved with this.

zigzag716746zigzag · 18/12/2023 14:45

HelpMeGetThrough · 18/12/2023 14:43

Just because the OP has been told, nobody can prove it.

Show quote history

Oh, so fine to break the law so long as no one can prove it 🙄

BusyMummyWrites · 18/12/2023 14:45

It’s illegal to drive on the Motorway if you are a learner, unless you are with a driving instructor. As a passenger you would not be liable (unless it was your car, in which case your insurance would be invalidated). However, more importantly, why the hell would you allow yourself to be driven on a 3 hr/motorway trip with an inexperienced, unqualified and - thus - uninsured driver? Just say no. It’s madness!

muddymudwater · 18/12/2023 14:46

Report him to the police. If he injured someone in an accident they would not get the insurance pay out they needed to pay for their ongoing care needs. People can end up with life long injuries and care needs. If he killed someone, their families would not get a payout to help them survive after the loss of a parent.

Driving without insurance ( as he is) is a disgustingly irresponsible thing to do.

User1343 · 18/12/2023 14:47

There have been reports in the news recently of two cases of tragic losses of lives with young drivers. My heart goes out to the parents and loved ones. Please don't make yourself the next news item by getting in the car with him and please report him for driving on a provisional to protect the rest of us.

SisterMichaelsHabit · 18/12/2023 14:47

Correc · 18/12/2023 13:44

Basically, he doesn’t want people to know that do is only provisional because he drives around in his own. He only told me recently, I was understanding as I know many people do it.

I've never known anyone to do this. If they're so confident with driving surely they just book and pass a driving test, and if they can't pass one, maybe think on why that might be? Never mind supervising him, I'd be shopping him to the police.

To quote Rachel from Friends,
It's not common, it doesn't happen to everyone and it IS a big deal!

HelpMeGetThrough · 18/12/2023 14:48

Oh, so fine to break the law so long as no one can prove it 🙄

I certainly wouldn't be getting involved in it.