Mum and Dad Driving School

I ncreasing numbers of teenage learner drivers are turning to the "mum and dad driving school" as they find professional lessons too expensive, according to the Daily Telegraph. 

Learner drivers are increasingly seeking to keeps costs down by relying on 'freebie' tuition from family and friends.  Getting a parent to teach you can save cash, but the reality is it's not always as straightforward as it seems. 

In the long run it is likely to cost more due to taking a driving test before you're ready or adopting driving habits that are not good practice.  As a consequence, failing driving tests or performing careless driving having passed the test will increase the strain and costs including mechanical repairs and spiralling insurance costs. 

Since 1994, the number of teenagers choosing driving school tuition has fallen to 34% but it should be added that first time driving test passes has also fallen.

It's worth noting that anyone supervising a learner driver must be at least 21 have held a driving licence for three years and must stick to the rules.  Have your parents kept up to date with the rules in the Highway Code?

A total of 17% learning to drive with family or friends said it was "a bad experience" and they would not recommend it to fellow learners.  As many as 46% having amateur tuition cited in-car arguments while 27% reckoned they picking up bad driving habits. 

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.

The poll found that 12% of learners are taught solely by amateur drivers while 13% mix-and-match their tutors. 

It's a useful idea to supplement your private practice with professional instruction and then share the experience, including instructors comments/progress record with your supervising driver.

The learning process should be enjoyable for both the learner and trainer, instructors are trained to acknowledge the skills and concerns involved with learning to drive but can the parents keep their cool?

This shouldn't be an experience that is dreaded before getting into the car each time.

Have you got anything to add, a good or bad experience?

source: uSwitch.com