Starting to drive

Purple Mountain

My teenage is eager to learn to drive, he's over 17.

He's booked in to do his theory test and I understand then that he applies for the learner permit.

Can he start his lessons in an instructor's car without having insurance on his own car or under a parent? He'd be starting from scratch without any experience.

He hasn't enough money saved yet to get insurance, nevermind a car so I'm wondering if it's allowed to do the lessons in a instructor car and apply for insurance after those?

I know he won't have the practice at home but he's not financially ready to get insurance yet.

Conall Cernach

Yes, he will be insured in the instructor's car provided they are legitimate. That is how I did it.

GTTDI GOD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058399336/starting-to-drive

Yes, he is insured to take lessons in an instructor’s car. Some instructors have a deal that can get the student a discount if they do all EDT lessons with them as well.

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123234721#Comment_123234721

Did the instructor expect you to have access to practice when you were at home?

Can you go on to do your test (in instructor car) and still not have insurance?

I'd like him to have his lessons done and if viable have his test at least tried but I'd say he could be 2 years off affording his own car and insurance.

GTTDI GOD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123234810#Comment_123234810

I am an ADI, practice is recommended, but it’s understandable not everyone has the luxury, it’s a pity the RSA don’t realise that!

Our insurance covers car hire for the test, yes. With no practice, more lessons will be recommended, instructors like the students to be at a fairly good level before agreeing to hire the car for tests.

Conall Cernach

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123234810#Comment_123234810

This is exactly what I did. The instructor knew I didn't have access to my own car and I only drove in his car before I did a test, which I failed. I then reapplied, did a couple more refresher lessons and passed on the second attempt. I used his car for the tests and went over the possible routes, turning points etc just before I went into the test centre. Luckily the point where we did the reverse around a corner I had just done 15 minute beforehand with the instructor.

Purple Mountain

Thanks both.

And if anyone knows someone hiring students part time, please let me know 😆

coylemj

OP, even if your teenager was a named driver in your policy or had a policy in their own name, they would not be covered to drive another car. So the driving school's insurance would be be required to cover them when under instruction in one of their cars, regardless of what cover they had or didn't have to drive their own or the family car.

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123237998#Comment_123237998

My question was more about instructors expecting them to be practicing in between lessons.

coylemj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123238342#Comment_123238342

You asked about insurance cover in post #1 and practice in post #4.

I was responding to the questions you asked in paragraphs three and four of your first post.

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123240923#Comment_123240923

Thanks so much!

galwaytt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123234795#Comment_123234795

Aviva have - or had at any rate - a deal.

A package of the car lessons including either 3 months or 6 months insurance on the 'home' car (parents', usually), which was a good deal for both of the learners in our house.