Recession turns parents into driving instructors

Learner drivers are increasingly finding themselves forced to rely on amateur instructors to help them pass their tests as the economic downturn makes the cost of driving lessons to high for many.

Research from uSwitch.com shows that learning to drive with a qualified instructor now costs an average of £1,127, but over one in ten learner drivers (12%) are avoiding this by being taught solely by family and friends, while a further 13% combine amateur tuition with professional driving lessons.

Of those who have opted for the ‘home-schooled’ route, 72% say that the main reason for doing so was affordability (62% cannot afford to pay for lessons themselves, while 10% report that their parents cannot afford to pay either).

However, uSwitch.com has warned that taking lessons with amateur instructors can prove ineffective. Almost one in five (17%) of those surveyed reported that learning to drive with a member of their family or a friend was a bad experience and not to be recommended to others. The biggest concerns were ‘in-car’ arguments (46%) and picking up bad driving habits (27%).

In addition, the research suggests that learning from family or friends can result in poor habits and a nervous disposition behind the wheel. Almost a quarter (22%) have been shouted or even sworn at by the relative or friend teaching them, 22% have also had the wheel grabbed by their teacher.

Mark Monteiro, insurance expert at uSwitch.com, 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.”

But failed tests aren’t the only risk. The research shoes that over a quarter of novices (27%) learning with amateurs are unsure whether the person teaching them checked their car insurance policy first. In fact, 7% say that their instructor definitely didn’t check despite the fact that, when teaching a friend or relative to drive, the learner must at least be a named driver.

Adding a 17 year old with a provisional licence to your car insurance can cost an additional £1,360. This drops to an extra £331 if they are 21 and £48 if they are 25 years old. However, driving without insurance is a criminal offence, attracting a heavy fine and six penalty points.

Mr Monteiro continued:

“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.”

(Photo from kevin (iapetus)’s photostream.)