Checklist for driving with a learner

Supervising a learner driver can be a rewarding experience. It’s a great way to share your passion for driving and help someone else learn the skills they need to be a safe, responsible driver.

Before you hit the road with a learner, there are a few things you need to know. First and foremost, you’ll need to make sure you have the right insurance in place. You’ll also need to make sure the car meets all of the requirements for driving with a learner.

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Checklist

The checklist

The Learner

Must be at least 17 years old
Must have a provisional licence
Must have learner driver insurance or be covered by the supervising drivers insurance as a named driver
It is illegal to drive on the motorway when practising without an approved driving instructor

The Supervisor

You must be between the ages of 25 and 75 in order to supervise a learner driver
You must be qualified to drive the type of vehicle that the learner is practising in, e.g. a qualified driver with an automatic licence cannot supervise a learner in a manual vehicle
You must have held your full licence for at least 3 years
You must be a permanent UK resident
It is illegal for the supervising driver to use a mobile phone whilst supervising a learner driver

The following checklist is based on REDs learner insurance and can vary between providers.

The Car

L plates should be fitted to the car, clearly visible on the front and back
Must be registered with the DVLA
Must have up-to-date vehicle tax
Must have a current/valid MOT certificate

The car that the learner is driving must be roadworthy and have a current MOT certificate. This means that it needs to be safe to drive and meet all of the legal requirements for being on the road. The supervisor is responsible for making sure that the car is in good condition before each drive.

Why is all of this important?

It’s important that all parties follow these requirements mentioned in our checklist, covering the learner, supervisor, and the vehicle being used.

It boils down to making sure the learner is driving safely to protect themselves and others on the road, but here’s what can happen if these criteria are not met.

Drive for safety.

The learner can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points on their provisional licence if they drive without the right supervision.

Future Protected.

The learner could receive an unlimited fine, be banned from driving and get up to 8 penalty points for driving without insurance.

Creating a positive learning environment

Lastly, it’s important to create a positive learning environment when supervising a learner driver. This means being patient, giving clear instructions, and praising the learner when they do something well. If they make a mistake, correct them calmly without using negative language. Remember that everyone learns at different rates—some people might pick up new skills quickly while others need more time and practice.

Supervising a learner driver can be daunting but by following our simple checklist, you can be sure that you’re providing the best possible guidance and support to your learner. Remember – safety comes first! So make sure both you and the car are insured, familiarise yourself with the controls, obey all speed limits, and take extra care when passing parked cars or other vulnerable road users.

Learner Driver Insurance

The learner needs to be fully covered with learner driver insurance or suitably covered by the supervisor’s insurer in order to drive a private vehicle (i.e. anything but a qualified driving instructor’s car). This is a temporary, fully-comprehensive cover that can ensure your No Claims remains intact if a claim was made. You can get a quick quote through our site here

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