If you want to start driving lessons, or you’re a few lessons in and nerves are taking over, sometimes having a friendly face with you can help calm you down.
For this reason, you may be wondering, ‘Can a learner driver have passengers?’ And while the answer is yes, it’s not as straightforward as you think. With anything, there are certain rules and regulations you must follow when completing lessons with passengers in the car.
Today, Ashley Neal will walk through the ins and outs of driving with passengers as a learner driver, so you can feel confident on the road.
Do you want to increase your confidence behind the wheel and master the art of driving? If so, book lessons with us today for friendly, expert instructors and thorough sessions.
Are learner drivers allowed to have passengers?
If you’re a nervous driver, then you’ll be happy to know that you can complete your lessons with a friend or loved one in the back seat.
HOWEVER, this is only possible if you’re in a car that’s insured for you, you’re driving with a valid provisional licence, and you’re being supervised by someone who meets the DVLA’s rules (more on that later).
Plus, your teacher has to approve your carrying passengers—if they think it’ll be a distraction rather than a benefit to you, they’re likely to say no.
It’s illegal for learner drivers to drive without a qualified driver sitting in the passenger seat next to them. For this reason, your supervisor must be:
- Over 21 years old
- Has had a driving license for more than 3 years
- Is not under the influence or distracted while supervising
- Is qualified to drive the vehicle you’re in (whether manual or automatic)
- Is not banned from driving
This means that you can go on a few impromptu test drives while your parents supervise, or you can bring them along for moral support while you meet up with your qualified driving instructor for lessons.
There are some limits to being supervised by family or friends alone
While it’s good to squeeze in a few extra hours practising driving with your family members outside of your lessons, there are some limitations.
The car you’re driving must be taxed, insured, and have a valid MOT. It must also be in proper working condition, meaning any lights, tyres, brakes, etc., mustn’t be faulty. Your family member’s or friend’s car must also be insured for learner driver use, which some standard policies won’t cover.
When going on impromptu test drives with them, you’ll have to display L plates on the front and back of their car. However, motorways are a big no, unless you’re with an approved driving instructor and in a car fitted with dual controls
You can’t practice on the motorway with a friend or family member, even if they meet the usual supervision criteria.
How many passengers can you have?
The number of passengers you’re allowed as a learner driver depends entirely on the capacity of your car. This means you can have:
- Yourself
- One qualified supervisor in the front
- Up to 3 additional passengers in the back
But, we’d like to stress that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If your friends are likely to distract you by being rowdy or inconsiderate, then you’re putting their safety and your own at risk.
At Ashley Neal, we always recommend focusing on your lessons and solo practice with just your supervisor in the passenger seat. Once you’ve built up confidence and are consistently driving safely, you can consider bringing others along to get used to holding passengers.
Can they carry child passengers?
Yes, you’re allowed to drive as a learner driver with child passengers in the back if you’re being supervised by a qualified supervisor.
While it’s legal, we wouldn’t always recommend it, especially in the early stages of learning. Children add another layer of pressure, and they can be noisy and unpredictable, distracting you while learning.
If you decide to carry a child passenger, you’ll need to ensure the following:
- Children under 12 shorter than 135cm must be strapped safely into a car seat
- All children must wear a seatbelt
- Any car seat must meet UK safety standards (look for the ECE R44 or R129 labels)
You will be responsible for any passengers in your car, not the supervisor. So, it’s important that you’re prepared for the responsibility.
Insurance considerations
If you’re learning in an instructor’s car, you won’t have to worry about insurance—the driving school (like us here at Ashley Neal) takes care of this.
Driving schools use cars that are fitted with dual controls, and the policy covers everything you need. However, if you’re practising in a friend’s or family member’s car, you’ll need to be added to their existing insurance policy as a named learner driver.
You can also take out a short-term cover with a dedicated learner driver insurance policy in your own name. If you drive without proper insurance, you’ll face a hefty fine or have points taken off your licence, which will affect you once you pass.
Choose Ashley Neal for professional driving lessons
If you want to feel confident on the road, knowing you’re being supervised by an expert, then we have just the thing for you.
Our driving lessons are available for anyone over the age of 17, at great prices, with a range of male or female instructors to choose from. We’ll help you make sure you’re fully prepared for your test and assess whether having passengers while you learn is the right choice for you.
We’ve taught thousands of learners across the North West how to drive safely and confidently, and you could be next!