If you’re thinking about supervising a learner driver, make sure you are familiar with the legal requirements before you set off. We can’t deny that supervising a learner driver is a huge task that can be very stressful at times. Learning to stay calm is essential to becoming a good mentor and helping learner drivers gain experience.
Practicing plays a key role in improving driving skills by exposing the learner driver to different road conditions and driving situations.
When it comes to assisting others to learn driving, you must abide by a few specific rules. Stick to the article to find out if you’re making the right decision of supervising a learner driver.
What Are The Rules For Supervisor Driver?
Here are a few rules to follow if you’re planning to become a supervisor driver. You must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Ensure having a full driving license since a minimum of three years
- Meet the minimum eyesight requirements for driving
- Ensure the vehicle is in a legal and safe condition
- Abide by the motoring laws
- Ensure you’re qualified to drive the vehicle being used for practice driving
Things To Do When Supervising Driving
As aforementioned, the supervising driver must meet the minimum eyesight standards required for driving. It means the driver has adequate vision and is capable of reading a car number plate from a distance of 20 meters.
Before you decide to supervise driving, it is advisable to see an optician determine your current eyesight. The driver must wear a contact lens or glasses if required.
According to road laws using mobile phones while driving is illegal and the rule doesn’t change when you’re supervising learner drivers in private practice. The learner driver demands your full attention, so it is essential for the supervisor not to stay focused and not let their attention be diverted. If anything unpleasant happens, the supervisor is likely to react and reduce the risk of accident when not using the mobile phone.
The supervisor must sit in the front passenger seat to have control of the vehicle. Sitting on the front seat enables you to better communicate with the learner and intercede if required. Supervising a learner driver from the back seat makes no sense, it prevents you from having control of the vehicle and observe the road condition.
Even the slightest lack of supervisor’s attention during a learner driver training session may lead to driving accidents that may cause injury. You can’t overlook any of the rules set for supervising drivers, as driving without the right supervision has its consequences. The supervisor driver can be fined up to £1000 and get up to 6 penalty points on their license.
Insurance Required For Supervising
Ensure having sufficient car insurance of the vehicle you’re driving before you set off to the road to supervise a learner driver. The car insurance must be for both the instructor and the learner. Many insurance companies cover either your practice driving your own vehicle or someone else’s vehicle.
Insurance policies may differ in terms and conditions, for instance, some insurance policies require the supervisor driver to be older than a certain minimum. Always check the small prints which may contain any restrictions within your insurance policy.
Tips To Supervise Effectively
It is recommended to encourage the learner to take professional lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor and explain its importance to them before getting out on the road. Being a supervisor, you must explain the basic car controls and emergency stops to the learner and ensure they understand you well.
Setting a good example is fruitful to convince the learner driver according to road laws. If you want the learner to follow your instructions, remember to practice what you preach. The learner driver is less likely to follow any of your instructions if they notice you violating regulations.