Private Practice and Learner Driver Insurance

This is a subject that Pro Coach Driving School is often asked about.

Can I do private practice, should I do it, who can supervise me and what about car insurance?

What is Private Practice?

It’s additional driving practice, supervised by someone other than an Approved Driving Instructor(ADI).

Private Practice is a great idea to reinforce the learning that has taking place under professional driving instruction.

In fact, the DVSA recommends 20 hours of such practice.

One negative issue, noticed by ADIs, comes up quite often following private practice.

So, pupil goes out with Dad for some practice. A couple of days later goes out on a driving lesson with his or her instructor and the ADI notices that the leaner driver is approaching roundabouts etc, at break neck speed and the pupils system fall apart.

This normally happens because Dad has been encouraging his offspring to approach such junction’s at the speed that he can, forgetting that his offspring is not a fully automated driver and needs more time to do things!!

TOP TIP when supervising a learner driver: Just keep the car safe and let the learner practice what has been taught under professional driving instruction. Wherever possible, work on the same routes as your learner does when under professional driving instruction.

Who can supervise a Learner Driver?

The Law is very specific on this, so you must get it right. Ignorance of the law is no excuse!

You can be supervised by:

Anyone who is:

• over 21
• has held a Full Driving Licence for the type of vehicle being used for 3 years
• the holder of a Driving Licence that has been issued by countries in the European Union or European Economic Area)

The penalty for a provisional license holder driving without proper supervision, is 6 penalty points on their provisional driving licence.

What about Private Practice and Learner Driver Insurance?

The car insurance issue needs very careful attention.

Top Tip: Both the supervising driver and learner should read the car insurance policy carefully. Both the learner driver and supervising driver can receive points and fines for insurance offences, if not properly insured to drive.

As a learner, you will need to be specified on the policy. When reading policies of insurance, they can sometimes be a little vague, so it’s wise to check and receive confirmation that the insurer is aware that the specified additional driver is a provisional licence holder.

In addition, check the policy carefully in terms of the supervising driver. Although the Law states that a supervising driver must be at least aged 21, many policies state a minimum age of 25.

Private practice and learner driver insurance are two issues can go hand in hand, however the insurance side can sometimes causes problems.

Quite often, a Parents or friend’s car insurance provider’s policy won’t provide cover for a learner or is prohibitively expensive if one can be added.

We have found a great learner driver’s policy, which costs from £ 1.87 per day. It allows a learner driver to drive a Parent’s car, that is already insured; protecting the parents no claims discount. It’s called ” Marmalade Learner Driver Insurance”