Driving on private land

[SauvignonBlanche]

I believe you can drive on private land, such as a supermarket car park without a driving licence?

In the unlikely event of an accident I asume you wouldn't be covered by insurance but is driving without insurance on private land legal?

I don't think it's legal in a supermarket car park - if the general public have access to it then it's not the same as driving in a field owned by a farmer, for eg.

It has to be actual private land to which the public have no access so no you cannot drive in a supermarket car park.

OK, thank you, I've been a bad girl then.

I'm currently without a licence and I drove (very carefully) from one side of Waitrose car park to the other to pick up DH, who is on crutches at the moment. I won't do it again.

Did your dh then drive home? Is he covered by his insurance if he's on crutches?

Yes he is, he's injured his left leg and is driving an automatic. He's doing all the driving at the moment, has taken 1 DC to a piano lesson and another to Karate whilst I've just sat and MN'd.

Ah ok, never thought about an automatic.

We'd be stuck without it, he wouldn't be able to get back to work tomorrow and would be off sick with me getting under my feet.

I thought the thing with driving in private land was that you had to have permission from the land owner so if waitrose have you permission

Yep, permission from the owner and an area with no public access.

There can't be any members of the public there. If you cause them injury then you aren't insured.

A farmer's field can't do anyone any harm and if you smash your car and a farmer's fence then it's his and your choice.

can he put weight on his leg and walk a short distance in a specific time (if asked by a police officer if he was in an accident?) did your insurance specifically say it was ok?

I was told by our insurance I wasn't covered while my left leg was in a cast (driving automatic) as I couldn't put any weight on my leg. there is a section in the Highway Code about being able to walk x length in under x time to demonstrate you are in full control of your vehicle, etc. but I can't find the link.

BrightestBB, not sure you are correct, because some people who can't walk can still legitimately drive

• eg wheelchair users.

A car park is a place the public have access to and the road traffic act applies. No licence and no insurance whoops!

I live on a private estate and we all own the roads. I have always assumed you could drive around here without a licence (although it would not be wise as if you hit someone you'd have to pay and also the car insurance of the insured person almost certainly will say only the named drivers (who presumably all have licences) are the only ones allowed to drive the car).

BrightestBulbinBox, DH's GP said he was OK to drive, are you sure you have not been misinformed?

You cannot be prosecuted for driving without a licence if you drive in a supermarket car park as it is not a proper road. You can, however, be prosecuted for driving without insurance. The supermarket may also be unhappy with people driving without a licence on their land.

The law is a strange and mysterious land, and as such, sometimes defines the words it uses - in which case it's the "legal" definition which matters as opposed to the "normal" definition.

(The reverse is also true. If a law uses words it doesn't define, then courts have to use the "accepted" usage, rather than a specific usage).

With regards to driving, "Private" has a very narrow meaning. From memory (I once knew) it's land which the public CANNOT access, except by crossing a barrier. This is very important, as it's a fundamental factor in the offence of drink driving ... you can still be prosecuted if you're drunk on a public highway - which includes a highway the public could have accessed, despite being privately owned.