to think that learner drivers shouldn't be on the road at this time?

[RagamuffinAndFidget]

Especially not in privately owned cars with no dual controls! I had to make a trip to the local shop today and ended up stuck behind a very tentative learner who was incredibly heavy on the brakes and seemed very nervous. I have every sympathy for learner drivers who are not able to continue with their lessons at the moment, but this just seems like an unnecessary risk at the moment! What if they lost control and caused an accident?

AIBU to think the learners should just stay at home for now?

Seems like the roads being quiet are ideal for learners!

I think you're being a little bit unreasonable here tbh. Some people may not be able to wait to learn til after this is over- if this had happened last year i would still have had to practice and take a test ASAP.

Agree it's a good time while roads are quiet, but only if you are fairly competent.

I don't think complete novice drivers should ever be out, without safety of a duel controlled, learner car.

Surely now is the perfect time to learn.

Perfect time to learn OP. Of course.

Learning to drive would count as an ‘unnecessary journey’ surely?

DD should have done her test 3 weeks ago. We cancelled as she had a cough. And obviously since then the postponed ones have been cancelled too.

She has been out in the car about once a week - and is out now. DH is classed as key worker but is working from home, but has to call in the office to exchange files and deal with post 1-2 times a week. One of those times a week we get DD to drive the car to take him there and back. The journey is already happening so no additional traffic. There is no additional risk of transmission. She stays in the car throughout, only DH goes into the office. It just makes sense to keep her at least in the car driving if its possible so that she can sit her test when they are reinstated without needing a whole load of booster lessons.

You aren't being sympathetic though are you? I was a really nervous driver so always have patience for learners.

No they shouldn't be out. It's not exactly social distancing is it or essential work

Sorry you mean private cars

I don't see a problem is the learner driver was driving to get food or any of the other reasons you are 'allowed' out. But not just for a drive, as it's not necessary.
If there happened to be a police check I honestly don't know what they would say to 'having driving practice'.

Please don't get me wrong, I was an incredibly nervous learner too, but that actually makes me more concerned if I'm honest! I remember how many times my driving instructor had to use the dual controls when I was first learning, and it could have been very dangerous if he hadn't had them!

In the case of the PP's DD who was near to taking her test, I suppose she's likely to be more confident and therefore less of a risk? But there's no way of policing who is a brand new learner driver and who has been having lessons for a while, is there?

I have every sympathy for the learners themselves, it must be really difficult to be so close to being able to drive and then having that taken away from you, but aren't we supposed to only be making necessary journeys, for food and medical supplies? I suppose if the learner drives to the supermarket and waits in the car? But then that's still an increased risk of accidents, pressure on the emergency services, etc?

i dont think they should. its not essential is it.

nb im not taking my son out to learn

I agree - brand new novices shouldn't be going out really. The risk is then if they have an accident and it involves others needing to come to their rescue. And if only just starting their driving its not like they are in a position of needing to keep up the practise to pass a test as soon as possible.

We are only letting DD drive her car to take DH to work and back because she was due to take her test. If they did need to see evidence of that I guess she could show them the email showing the original test dates and its cancellation.

Nobody should be going out for a driving lesson!

Can't believe the number of people who think this is still ok. You all heading to the seaside this weekend?

What part of staring home and only going out for essential journeys are people not getting.
Just because the roads are quiet doesn't mean they should be out.
We are in lockdown for a reason until people stop bending the rules they won't lift the lockdown.

I can't believe posters saying perfect time to learn!! It's not essential travel so therefore it's not ok, if they crash they are risking others/RAC and/or police & ambulance.

Stay.at.home.

It's not essential, it shouldn't be happening, it's not like there's any tests to prepare for. I'd love to take my son out to teach him but I'm not.

I don’t think quiet roads are great for learner drivers. The very beginners that are still learning basic controls perhaps, but you need other traffic as you progress. You can learn to drive under normal traffic conditions, anticipate other road users etc. You’re actually applying what you learn instead of just theorising what you would do.

I don't see the problem if its a necessary journey anyway e.g. to the supermarket. Good to keep up practice for the poor folks who are stuck in the middle of learning.

I wouldn't recommend it for all the reasons already said but also because you risk coming up against people who are driving like idiots because they expect the roads will be quiet.

It just makes sense to keep her at least in the car driving if its possible so that she can sit her test when they are reinstated without needing a whole load of booster lessons.

This. If learners are able to keep their skills sharp it means when paid lessons and tests restart they'll be more skilled. That translates to a lower cost for that learner to finish their training and pass their test. Considering most of the country has taken a financial hit right now, we don't need another.

There also may be cases where the supervising driver isn't insured to drive the car or is unable to drive due to injury. That'll be rare but it does happen, and banning learners from the road would hurt these families.

My DD is learning to drive, if she was at the stage where she was competent/nearly ready for her test then I would let her drive me to the shops for essential shopping. However she has only just started and I have to drive her somewhere quiet for her to learn the basics. We are not doing this at the moment because, guess what, it is NOT essential. She's 17, plenty of time to learn when things start to get back to normal.

There also may be cases where the supervising driver isn't insured to drive the car or is unable to drive due to injury.

Surely they aren't fit to be the supervising driver in that case?
As for insurance, some insurance companies say both people have to be insured to drive the car.