subject: Learner Drivers Rely On Amateur Lessons To Pass Driving Test [print this page] Learner drivers are relying more and more on amateur lessons from friends, family and non-qualified driving instructors in a battle to prevent paying higher costs whilst learning to drive, according to new research.
According to a price comparison site, learning to drive with a qualified instructor now costs an average of 1,127. Those who cannot afford to pay for professional driving lessons are finding new ways to learn how to drive for cheaper and this is a whopping 72% of learner drivers. Research shows that over one in ten learner drivers are taught solely by non-professional driving instructors. A further 13% try to combat costs by taking some professional lessons and then other lessons with family and friends.
For those that are relying on training from non professional instructors, 62% admit they cannot afford to pay for lessons themselves whilst 10% claim their parents cannot afford to pay either.
But learning to drive via the amateur route may end up back-firing on those learner drivers who cannot afford lessons. 17% say that learning to drive with a family member or a friend turned out to be an unpleasant experience. Issues such as arguments whilst driving and picking up bad driving habits where a result of this. Not a great learning foundation for when it comes to passing your test.
And it looks like those giving lessons to friends or family may not benefit from the experience either. 18% of beginner drivers ended up bumping their friend or family members cars. Amateur instructors cant seem to sustain the role of driving teacher as 16% of learners have been evicted from the driving seat. It is no such surprise then that 46% of learners end up paying for professional driving lessons anyway.
And if you thought it couldnt get any worse for learner drivers, think again. If a learner driver does go out with a friend or family member then it is likely that they have insufficient car insurance rates to cover them. The study also showed that 27% of drivers not taking professional driving lessons are not sure if the person teaching them checked their car insurance policy first. When teaching a learner to drive, car owners must list that learner as a named driver on their licence. This could work out even more expensive if that learner is a 17 year old.
Mark Monteiro comments: Learner drivers are increasingly seeking to keeps costs down by relying on freebie tuition from family and friends. This can be cost effective, but not always as straightforward as it seems. Taking a stressful situation and adding in arguments, bad behaviour and family friction can mean it becomes a nightmare for all involved. Amateur instructors are also likely to miss vital parts of the picture, such as making sure the learner is insured to drive the vehicle they are learning in this could have serious and long lasting consequences for all involved.
Learners need to ensure that the family member teaching them is at least 21 years old, holds a full licence and has held one for at least three years. The person teaching them must also ensure that the learner holds a provisional licence and is insured on the vehicle they are learning to drive in. Insurers will not pay out if an uninsured learner driver is involved in an accident, even if the relative teaching them is covered. Driving without insurance is also a criminal offence and can result in a heavy fine and six penalty points a disastrous outcome for those simply trying to keep the cost of learning down.
