Was wondering how.....

[wildone63]

the law stands regarding driving instructors talking on a mobile phone when supervising a student.
I seen this happen today and it occured to me that since the instructor is in overall charge etc. they must be just as liable to prosecution as a driver him/herself using a mobile whilst driving.
Sorry if this has been brought up before.

[vonhosen]

It is against the law to use a hand held phone whilst supervising a provisional licence holder driving on the road.
It wouldn't be with a pass plus student though.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 22 January 20:11

[wildone63]

I guessed so,thanx for reply.

[hairydave]

ah this reminds me, am i right in thinking that the 'instructor' needs to be insured on the vehicle in addition to the learner?

[tigger1]

hairydave said:

ah this reminds me, am i right in thinking that the 'instructor' needs to be insured on the vehicle in addition to the learner?

I think somebody has asked this very question in P+P and it was intimated that he doesn't - but I'd have thought you might...then again, most instructors would be "covered" TP at least as they probably drive "something".

[TOPTON]

As VH says, illegal to use when a learner is driving. This goes for anyone supervising a learner, not just a qualified instructor. As a pass plus candidate has passed the test the the instructor is basically a passenger in a "normal" car.

Insurance is not required for an instructor to teach in a private car, or for anyone else to supervise as long as the learner driver has their own insurance.
The same applies on a driving test, the examiner does not need to be insured to drive, even though in an instructors car they will be.
Having said that, if an examiner terminates a test for extreme bad/dangerous driving, they usually ask the learner to park up somewhere and either walk or get a taxi back to the test station, leaving the instructor with the bill. (This has never happened to me though, but have seen it happen to others)

edited to add: I never answer my phone whilst teaching, as the learner has payed me to teach and not listen to phone conversations

Edited by TOPTON on Wednesday 24th January 10:16

[jasandjules]

To my knowledge the Instructor is "in charge" of the vehicle, therefore to operate a mobile phone whilst doing so will attract 3 points and £60 donation to the treasury.