Can a supervisor of a learner driver be prosecuted??

[Correc]

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?

I don't know anyone who does this.

I'm really surprised that you came here for advice. Surely you must have realised it would be stupid to get involved in something breaking multiple laws and with physical risks. Just say NO.

As others have said, you just need to say ‘No, it’s not legal. Take a train.’ He’s asking you to be complicit in a crime for which, if he f*cks up and kills/maims someone you will be held equally liable as a knowing accomplice. If he doesn’t like it, he’s not a friend.

www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/using-l-and-p-plates

6 penalty points for driving on a provisional without displaying plates.

Don't get involved, OP. Either drive them yourself or get them on alternative public transport.

I've only skim-read the thread but I can't see that anyone's mentioned the obvious.

As well as offences like driving without a license, driving without insurance, etc. there are also 'mirror' offences which involve aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring, causing, permitting or inciting the offence. The penalty for those offences is normally the same as for the actual driving offence and the OP would definitely be caught under one or the other heading if supervising a learner driver while he committed an offence.

If you were happy to go with him and supervise could you just drive him?

Just say you don't want the responsibility and it would be too stressful.

He can't argue about the reasons if they're about how you feel, rather than about him and his habit of driving illegally.

I wouldn’t supervise him. And I wouldn’t condone him breaking the law, which is what he is doing if he’s driving around unsupervised on a provisional licence.

He is taking the piss out of you and you should be indignant. Don't talk about 'not being comfortable' with it - he'll keep looking for ways to persuade you it's actually fine. How dare he?

Say, "No, that is illegal and I am not doing it. Now stop asking."

Let us know when and where he's illegally driving so we can keep off the roads. What a fucking prat

He can’t force you to do this. Only you can decide to do it. You have control over your own actions. Try ..

‘Im uncomfortable with this being illegal (my age as supervisor, motorway use, no L plates, no insurance) so it’s a firm no from me. Once you’ve passed your driving test and insured I’m more than happy to help’

I’ve said no now. I just said I wasn’t comfortable and he just said “OK leave it then”.

When I said I know many - I meant 2 people. A friend’s grandad used to and her sister drives her boyfriend’s car without any license at all (not a provisional). It’s none of my business so I stay out of it.

Really, it is everyone's business - the health and safety of others. You are very young, so won't fully realise this as yet. Bad stuff happens, stuff that could have been prevented, as you will find out.

Well done for saying No. It's often a hard thing for anyone to do, no matter their age.

@Correc

I was understanding as I know many people do it.

If one person does it that's one too many! You're 'understanding' about him doing an illegal thing that far too many people do? It's OK because lots of people do it? How does that work?

You do know that driving on a provisional licence with no L plates up probably means the (any!) insurance is void? What, then, if there was an accident?

@Correc

A friend’s grandad used to and her sister drives her boyfriend’s car without any license at all (not a provisional). It’s none of my business so I stay out of it.

It's completely your business, and mine, because we are members of society, and we are all harmed when people do stupid selfish dangerous and potentially destructive things. And we, or our children or loved ones, could get run over and killed or maimed for life by an uninsured driver who thinks the law doesn't apply to them.

Genuinely very well done @Correc fot saying no. That’s a hard thing to do. You knew you wanted to say no but you didn’t know how. You got help about how to do it, and you made your stand 👏

I would strongly encourage you to also take the next step and report the people you know to be driving illegally.

Glad you stood up to him OP- it is difficult to stand against friends and relatives but necessary when they do something really foolish or dangerous.

Please don't be 'understanding' about driving without a license.

It isn't like walking on the grass when a notice tells you to keep off.

It is a law and there are good reasons for it.

All of our friends and families are at risk from someone who drives (fast heavy) cars when they can't get qualified to do so.