Surviving the Passenger Seat: Supervising a Learner Driver
Sitting beside your child while they learn to drive can feel very different from driving yourself. Your role isn’t to replace their driving instructor, but to help them gain experience and put the skills they’ve learned in lessons into practice.
Knowing the rules, planning your practice and staying calm can make private practice more useful for both of you.
Quick Tips for Supervising Practice
- Agree what you're going to practise before setting off.
- Start with quieter, familiar roads.
- Give instructions early and clearly.
- Avoid reacting dramatically to mistakes.
- Discuss mistakes once you're safely parked.
Advice for Supervising a Learner Driver
How to Teach Someone to Drive
From planning practice sessions to giving clear instructions, learn how you can help a learner build their driving skills safely and confidently.
Read the Teaching Guide
Supervising a Learner Driver
Understand who can supervise a learner driver, the rules you need to follow and how to make private practice safer and more productive.
Read the Supervising GuideSupervising a Learner FAQs
No. You must not use a phone whilst supervising a learner driver. You should stay focused on the road and the learner at all times.
Yes. learner drivers can carry passengers.
Yes. Learner drivers can legally drive at night, provided they have appropriate insurance and are supervised by a qualified driver.
Yes. learner drivers can drive on dual carriageways. They must be properly supervised.