Driving instructors, or any form of supervisor, could incur a £200 fine and six penalty points if they’re caught using a mobile phone in the passenger seat!
In line with the UK driving law, supervising a learner requires you to adopt the same responsibilities were you to be driving yourself. So, for example, being on your phone is a no-no, or going over the alcohol limit.
This doesn’t mean to say that all responsibilities lie with the supervisor! Should the learner break the speed limit for example, the penalty is on their license alone. But being aware of the road and its surroundings is legally required, just like if the supervisor was at the wheel themselves.
To clarify, this law is not just for qualified instructors – if you’re supervising family and friends, all the above will apply.
What are the Requirements for Supervision?
A supervising driver must have the following to be considered legitimate:
- 21 years of age or over
- Qualified to drive the vehicle the supervising will take place in
- Fully insured for the vehicle the supervising will take place in
- To have held a full, valid driving licence for a minimum of 3 years
A learner driver will face a £1,000 fine and six points to their license if they found to oversee a vehicle without proper supervision.
