Clive, Dave and all other police friends we have!

Got a quick question to see what your thoughts are on a scenario (and anyone else for that matter :))

My wife has asked me if she can "try" driving my car. She hasnt the foggiest clue how she will get on, doesnt want to buy a driving license straight away as she really doesnt know if she will want to, but she wants to see how she feels sat behind the wheel and moving the car around to see if she has any confidence at all to learn to drive formally and properly.

My thoughts were along the lines of finding an empty car park, and letting her sit behind the wheel and potter around in first gear just moving the car around, practicing stopping and starting the car by learning how to use the clutch etc. The thing is, I cant insure her (as she doesnt have or want a license right now) and I cannot think of any publically accessible private land around me other than car parks for the likes of a supermarket.

If I was to take her to an empty / mostly empty car park, drop her behind the wheel and let her try not to crash my motor (yeah, how brave am I being?) would this be permitted? my workplace has a barrier controlled car park, so I am thinking if a general public car park is not good enough, perhaps taking her to my works car park will be a much better chance. Its got a few obstacles (to my fear!) and it is privately owned and inaccessible to the public, so think this would be the best chance for her to see if she can / wants to drive, and to see if investing in the appropriate paperworks are worth doing! I dont really want to throw £100+ at the idea that she gets behind the wheel and decides "absolutely not!". The good thing is that our car park at work will be 99.9% empty if nothing else, and is quite large, and with me holding the handbrake to force the car to a halt (by stalling if necessary) I can ensure that no damage will befall anyone elses property (or mine!).

So what do you think, would it be permitted, or am I looking at a confession of attempting to break the law :p

I would say in a private car park you should be fine.

No confession there - merely speculative lol

For confessions though...my first drive was at 14...in a DAF XF (no trailer attached) on Mostyn Quay. Then had a quick go in the car (2l Sierra...F-reg I think) when we got back to the yard lol

Drove the truck better than the car :D

Back on topic - I was told by a Traffic Cop from Sussex "don't crash, and we probably won't know. Use L-plates and we'll assume it's a regular learner driver IF we see you...stay off the road!!"

Mind you, this is the same guy who used to tell me if the M25 variable limit cameras were turned on lol

Private car park doesn't matter, it still has public access so it needs to be "proper private land" which only the land owner can access etc, like a Field you can use etc.

Seen this before in car parks where people get tickets / fines etc and it doesn't matter at all.

thanks guys, will see what the lawmen come back with as well, but as it will be a batrrier access car park, technically only those with permission of the landowner can access so I think this would be my best bet.

Better get the passenger side fitted with an emergency brake pedal and steering wheel :D

How about something like this? I realise she'll be over 17.......isn't she? Could be worth a call?

http://www.under-17driving.co.uk/off-road-driving.html

That a really looks pretty awesome! Sadly i don't have any money for treating her like that lol so the car park in the Sri eyes seat it will likely be :-\

As for the emergency stuff, I wonder how many layers I will leave on the passenger seat

Official guideline-

While you can drive on private land without a driving license, you will find out in practise that no land owner will give permission if you don't have insurance, as both the land owner and car owner would be liable if a 3rd party was injured or your car caused damaged to property.

Tbh you'd be best off getting her a provisional licence and then you can cover her on your insurance for a minimal amount.

Unofficial-

That's how I learned to ride motorbikes ;)

If she wants to learn more, maybe you could look into private tuition on a race track (like I've been having!) with an instructor with dual controls. It's not too expensive and it's really helpful when your first starting out a you can concentrate on controlling the car and not worry about other drivers on the road.

How about something like this? I realise she'll be over 17.......isn't she? Could be worth a call?

http://www.under-17driving.co.uk/off-road-driving.html

That's what I've been having! It's brilliant! I love driving lol.

Cheers guys, I might have to look at all the options and see which Of the *cough* legal *cough* is the most appropriate action :-D

Dammit I hate my turret finger coughing syndrome...

Ok the legal bit you wanted... (Sorry just seen this)

Any land with implied public access is a highway for the purposes of the road traffic act.

However, sainsburys is closed at midnight say, and you take a jaunt. The store is not actually open, so there is automatically no implied right of access, making it a private car park. Now if you wanted to drive round it, you would need the land owners permission. However you will not be committing any driving offences.

Any council owned car park will always be classed as a highway.

If your employer lets you have use of the car park when the premises are closed, game on. Let her have her fun ;)

I'v issued producers before to teenagers driving around on car parks etc, they'll either be able to produce details or not then deal with as driving with no insurance, licence etc.

The fact it's a car park doesn't make any difference at all really - still public access.

Cheers fella, yeah I have permission and as my pass has 24 hour access I technically have permission of the land owners to be there subject to the terms of being present and my vehicle is there at my own risk blah blah so it might work. Now she's gone shy on the idea so will see what happens lol

Thanks hauyser. To be honest though couldn't any land be classed as public access, as a farmyard has a driveway to access it from the main road, and it's only a locked gateway that prevents just anyone's access to make it private land, that would be the case if I used my pass to access my restricted access car park or if you were on the beat would you still pull me?

Tbh unless the car was being hooned around on 2 wheels we'd most likely not become aware of any offence.

If passing and observing the car park any slow manoeuvring is likely to be recognised as someone parking up.

Implied public access is the key. A closed factory car park has no implied public access and is NOT classed as a highway.

Cheers guys!

Well will see if she is still up for the challenge and wants to try the manual, it sounds like my closed factory car park is the private highway that would be most suited to her just pottering around in!

Implied public access is the key. A closed factory car park has no implied public access and is NOT classed as a highway.

Basically anywhere that has security measures such as barriers, gates or manned access control are classed as private land and unless there are notices stating that section 28 of the road traffic act ( 1988 ) applies then you are ok unless the landowner states otherwise.

Thanks Clive and all for your replies :)

Make her apply for her provisional. Cost what? £50? Yes alot I know... It last for 10 years before needs renewing that's plenty of time to give it a go on the road or any car park once insure, she will find her confidence with time and she has 10 years time

Agreed it would be beneficial sadly though with finances as they are we don't have the 50 at all. Don't disagree though it would be a good answer

Would it save you anything on your car insurance if she did have a provisional and was a named driver?

I only mention it as my Mum has held a provisional for many, many years and used to bring Dad's insurance down by about £70-80

(Not anymore due to ill health)

Not enough it would just break even on the cost sadly. Already contemplated it lol. If it would save more I would do it for her. Perhaps next renewal