What should I do?

[neil.b]

One of my neighbours is learning to drive. I've seen her several times getting into a driving school car and a couple of weeks back, L plates appeared on her husbands car.

I've since spotted her 2 or 3 times driving around the nearby estate, with L plates on, by herself.

As far as I understand it this is illegal and would invalidate her (her husbands) insurance given that she is not being accompanied while driving.

I'd normally just ignore it to be honest but she is a particularly nervous and erratic driver and, call me selfish, but I fear for my cars. I'm assuming that if she smashed into one of my pride and joys that she'd be uninsured?

I'm really tempted to report her. Should I and who to?

>>> Edited by neil.b on Tuesday 8th June 21:51

[streaky]

Why not just have a word with her and/or her husband first? Point out the illegality of her actions but stress that in the event of an accident it is most likely that the insureres will refuse to pay out and they could lose everything.

As it's a housing estate, why not use the "Think of the children" argument .

If she persists, you might then consider that a quiet word at your local nick would be in order - Streaky

[Dwight VanDriver]

Neil.

Take that advice from Streaky - he's not just a pretty face you know.

By the way Insurance won't be invalid (if she has any) as requirement on the policy is for a person to hold, or have held a Licence. At PL she holds.

DVD
(If she is a looker and you hold a full licence?????)

[gRsf12]

Dwight VanDriver said:

If she is a looker and you hold a full licence?????

And of an impressionable 18-21 years old????

[neil.b]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Neil. Take that advice from Streaky - he's not just a pretty face you know. By the way Insurance won't be invalid (if she has any) as requirement on the policy is for a person to hold, or have held a Licence. At PL she holds. DVD (If she is a looker and you hold a full licence?????)

Cheers DVD

Not sure I understand though. I always assumed that to drive on a provisional licence (with L plates) you had to be accompanied by a driver over 25 who holds a full licence? Is this a myth?

[Liszt]

I believe that the passenger must have held a full licence for 3 yrs (so a minimum of 21)

The insurance is not invalidated, but they are committing an offence.

[neil.b]

So if said woman crashed into my car I could still claim against her (her husband I presume) and leave my insurance intact?

I would've thought that these days, when insurance companies seemingly refute claims on the tinyiest detail, that having an accident under these circumstances would be easy grounds for refusing cover?

[BlackStuff]

neil.b said:

So if said woman crashed into my car I could still claim against her (her husband I presume) and leave my insurance intact? I would've thought that these days, when insurance companies seemingly refute claims on the tinyiest detail, that having an accident under these circumstances would be easy grounds for refusing cover?

Insurance companies can wriggle out of a lot, but very rarely can they wriggle out of the basic third party liability that would cover you in a case like this.

[Liszt]

That would be correct as the car must be insured to cover 3rd party claims, other wise I belive the registered keeper could be done for having the car on teh highway with out insurance.

[MilnerR]

next time you see her getting into her L plated carriage congratulate her on passing her test. if she umms and ahhs point out the legal position. if she still drives illegally get the bib involved before hurts herself or someone else!

[neil.b]

I'm going to have a word next time I see them, hopefully with her husband as she appears to not speak much english.

Thanks for all the input fellas

[Flat in Fifth]

Dwight VanDriver said:

(If she is a looker and you hold a full licence?????)

Steady on DVD, has the RAF bromide finally worked out of the system then?

[zcacogp]

neil.b said:

I'm going to have a word next time I see them, hopefully with her husband as she appears to not speak much english.

I'd go straight to the plod.

Having seen this happen with similar people around here, I have tried explaining the law to them, but understanding it is beyond them. (Whether this misunderstanding is genuine or not I remained unconvinced about.) If they have little enough respect for the country to not bother learning the language, they probably won't care too hoots for the law either. And if you are anything like me, you won't want your car being damaged either.


Oli.

[Dwight VanDriver]

Not sure I understand though. I always assumed that to drive on a provisional licence (with L plates) you had to be accompanied by a driver over 25 who holds a full licence? Is this a myth?

[/quote]

Yes - L Plates and accompanied. Butif you check your Insurance policy all its says about the Licence is that one has to hold or have held one to be insured to drive. It was inferred that as a PL Holder and driving not within the terms of her Licence the Insurance became invalid because of this which is not the case.

DVD

[neil.b]

OK, now I've seen her driving without the L plates on as well.

There's no way she's taken her test - she's only had 5 or 6 lessons that i've seen and she's an appaling driver.

Actually, there's a policewoman that lives near by - do you think having a word with her might be the answer?

[jayjay]

Maybe she has a driving licence issued in her country of origin in which case she can legally drive here. In her ignorance she could be using the L plates as a warning to other drivers.

[xxplod]

If it's of any note, the supervisor must be 21 years old (not 25) and have held a full licence for that class of vehicle for at least 3 years.