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Ethical dilemmas
Original poster

who should pay?

22 replies

BeeRayKay · 27/09/2014 12:56

I'm a few weeks away from taking my driving test.
For some reason, it was an appalling lesson. Hands up, all my fault. My brain just wasn't operating properly. I was making appalling mistakes, too fast, going wide when reversing around a corner. No idea what was up with me.
15 minutes to the end of my lesson driving up a hill, its a sweeping curve and I some how clipped the front wheel on the kerb. Took a bit of the tyre out, didn't puncture it, just caused a bit of damage. The tyre needs changing, I agree with that.

So, I'm paying. I would have offered anyway. But I don't have any choice in the matter.

But googled it today and all other ADI's seem to think its par for the course and the instructor has to pay.
Common courtesy dictates I should pay. I'm just a bit annoyed.

Opinions? Similar stories?

OP posts:
PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 27/09/2014 12:58

I would have thought the driving instructor's insurance should cover it?

Things like that must happen all the time.

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 27/09/2014 12:59

The driving instructor pays! It's a risk they take.

Snapespotions · 27/09/2014 13:00

I would expect the instructor's insurance to cover stuff like this. You should not have to pay!

500smiles · 27/09/2014 13:03

YY driving instructor should pay.

CleanLinesSharpEdges · 27/09/2014 13:06

Brand new learner - shouldn't have to pay.

A few weeks away from your test - you've shown a level of competence to be put in for your test and let loose on the open road and it was carelessness, not inexperience, so I think you should pay.

That's my opinion, I have no idea of what's legally right.

kukesi · 27/09/2014 13:13

DI claims off insurance, this is a risk in the job and what insurance is there for

mipmop · 27/09/2014 13:28

Did the driving instructor tell you that you were close to the kerb, or try to grab the wheel? Or were they as surprised as you?

MrsPiddlewink · 27/09/2014 13:30

Driving lessons cost a bloody fortune - enough to cover insurance for such eventualities I would have thought.

He pays.

Muskey · 27/09/2014 13:34

I would say the driving instructor has to pay as I would imagine its an occupational hazard. The clue (for the instructor not you bee) is that you are a leaner and you made a mistake it's his job to teach you therefore he should have tried to stop you making the mistake or he has to pay. I would change instructors if you can

LizzieMint · 27/09/2014 13:36

I did almost exactly that in a driving lesson (many years ago!). All the instructor said was don't worry about it, these things happen. I was too shocked and embarrassed to even offer to pay, I was only 17, it didn't even occur to me.

Original poster
BeeRayKay · 27/09/2014 13:50

mipmop, he grabbed the wheel as it happened.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeeRayKay · 27/09/2014 13:51

clean lines, I can't agree it was carelessness. I was concentrating really hard, I know when I've been careless and when it was a genuine accident.

OP posts:
Imnotaslimjim · 27/09/2014 14:00

I did a similar thing when learning, but hit the kerb hard enough to damage the wheel rim. He lost business for the rest of the day, and all the next while he got it sorted out. He called and reassured me that accidents happen and there would be no cost to me

tribpot · 27/09/2014 14:06

But I don't have any choice in the matter.

So the instructor is saying you have to pay? Is there anything in the small print of the contract that would back that up? I would certainly assume the instructor's insurance would cover this - occupational hazard, surely?

BarbaraWoodlouse · 27/09/2014 14:12

I would agree that insurance against major damage and paying for minor issues/wear and tear should all be part of the cost of driving lessons.

Interested to know what his contract says.

ChippingInLatteLover · 27/09/2014 14:18

What do you mean by 'I don't have any choice in the matter'?

His insurance/fees are there to cover this kind of thing - it's a hazzard of his chosen occupation. End of.

Waltermittythesequel · 27/09/2014 15:07

Don't pay a penny!

That's what he has insurance for.

BackforGood · 27/09/2014 15:10

Definitely the driving instructor - it's occupational hazard / part of their expenses. It's why they charge so much an hour more than they are actually paying themselves.

Original poster
BeeRayKay · 27/09/2014 15:33

I didn't sign a contract? and I think he is independent.

but he has said I have to pay. I really like him as an instructor, but this has got to me!

OP posts:
slithytove · 27/09/2014 15:39

I wouldn't be paying.

I'd also be finding a new instructor as the fear of making another mistake and being charged for it would really put me off.

In addition, being a few weeks away from taking a test in no way means that one is test ready as I found out three times not to imply that you aren't OP!

Floralnomad · 27/09/2014 15:45

No way would I pay ,surely this type of thing is an occupational hazard of being a driving instructor .

tribpot · 27/09/2014 17:33

He sounds under-insured. Was he an approved driving instructor?

I would tell him you don't intend to pay and that he should claim on his insurance. And find a new instructor.

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