Driving Lessons in Own Car

Certain learner drivers will have taken many driving lessons from friends or family in their own car.

If this is the case, a learner will become familiar with the controls, size and the way that their car handles and may not wish to drive another vehicle whilst learning. Some driving instructors teach learner drivers in the learner’s own car, whilst others do not and prefer to provide driving lessons only in a car with dual controls. Regarding this issue, discussed are the frequently asked questions from learner drivers.

DUAL CONTROLS

It’s not a legal requirement that dual controls must be fitted whilst learning to drive. If it is a rental car however, dual controls must be fitted for the driving test. See Cars for the driving test for further information. Certain driving instructors do not allow learners to use their own car for safety issues, whilst others have no problem.

Learner driver's car
Legal requirements for taking driving lessons in your own car

A driving instructor who hasn’t taken you out for a lesson previously will have no knowledge of your ability to drive safely, so may request that the initial lesson be taken in their car to assess your ability. or that the lesson be conducted in a quiet area.

Car insurance

Only the learner driver will legally need car insurance although if a situation occurs, for example the learner panics and is unable to drive, the instructor will need to drive the car. A driving instructors insurance policy is likely to cover them to drive your car Third Party Fire and Theft only, although each policy for the instructor is different.

If a driving instructor is willing to take your for driving lessons in your own car, make sure that the instructor is covered for your car and are aware of the insurance coverage of your car if they need to drive.

Cheaper driving lessons in my own car?

This is dependent on the instructor. Some driving instructors may inform you that you are paying them for their knowledge and will not offer a discount, whilst other may offer £2 or £3 discount per hour for savings made of fuel costs.

Should I take driving lesson in my own car?

There are benefits of taking lessons in your own car. You may receive a discount for driving lessons and you will be more familiar with driving your own car. However, lessons will be safer in the instructors car due to the dual controls and the instructor will have a great deal of experience teaching in their own car.

An example of this is that a instructor will know exactly the feel of the controls in their own car, such as the brake and clutch and so will resolve issues easier. Driving manoeuvres such as the turn in the road will often have reference markers to help the learner. These reference marker will likely need to be altered if using the learners own car, which may require extra practice and time. A driving instructors car may also be regularly maintained and may be newer, possibly making the car easier to drive.

If you are adamant that you want driving lessons in your own car, you will find a instructor willing to do this, although it is suggested that you initially try the instructors car as you may find it easier than you think.

Driving lessons in my own car

If you are taking driving lessons in your own car and intend on taking the test in your car, ensure you have a spare set of L-plates in case one comes off during lessons or just before the test. Also ensure you have and extra rear-view mirror. Your instructor is likely to have their own although you will need it for the examiner on the driving test.

10 thoughts on “Driving Lessons in Own Car”

  1. Nishat

    Hi I have passed my test and I want few lessons in my own car I also want some moterway lessons.. do you do that and how much for the lessons? Thanks

  2. Hello Nishat,
    You’ll need to contact a local driving instructor who will be happy to offer motorway driving lessons. As you have passed your test, the instructor should also be able to provide you with lessons in your own car.

  3. Jade

    Hi where. Can I find out what cars I can and can’t use on my test please

  4. Sam

    Would I be able to drive in my own car if I got L plate on or do I need some one with me

  5. Hello Sam,
    You will need a supervising passenger that meets the legal requirements. They have to be at least 21 years of age and to have help a full, valid driving licence for a minimum of three years. Please see teaching someone to drive for further information.

  6. Kaka

    Hello
    If just me driving the car someone next to me he have to ensure the car as well if he not driving at all ?

  7. Hi Kaka,
    Provided that the supervising passenger does not have to drive all all, then it’s just yourself that requires insurance.

  8. jamiewald

    how to keep calm on your first driving lesson with your mum without dual controls and could I have my younger brother in the back seat

  9. Hi Jamie,
    Yes, as a learner driver you can take passengers of any age based on how many legally fit in your car. Though if the passengers are disruptive in any way, you might want to reconsider.
    When you say ‘how to keep calm’, it it your mum who’s likely to be stressed or yourself?
    The best way to keep calm is to take it in very short stages and in a very quiet place.
    Locate a quiet residential area with nice straight and wide roads – your mum might need to start off driving to reach such an area.
    Without too many other drivers around, this’ll help to keep you calm and the straight and wide roads will make it easier.
    Start off with very short increments only.
    For example, move off from the side of the road and shortly up the road, park back up on the left.
    Take a rest, talk about how you can improve, then repeat.
    You just need to concentrate on this until your confidence grows then you can move on from there.
    Make sure that before you attempt driving, you go over all the controls thoroughly (cockpit drill) as this will help to give you confidence and to have a good theoretical understanding of what’s involved in moving off and stopping.

    Without dual controls, provided everything is explained to you in detail on what you need to accomplish and that you have a good understanding of what the controls do and that you take things slow, there’s little to worry about. Having said that, your mum shouldn’t be afraid to take control of the steering if necessary and there’s always the parking brake / handbrake to stop in case of an emergency.

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