When you’re learning to drive, practising outside of formal lessons can be highly beneficial — but only if done safely and legally. Below is a guide based on UK regulations and my instructor experience to help you get the most out of practice sessions with family or friends.
✅ Legal Requirements for Practice Driving
You may practise driving with family or friends (i.e. not a paid instructor) if and only if:
- The person supervising is aged 21 or over.
- They hold a full driving licence for the vehicle category you’re learning in (e.g. manual or automatic).
- They have held that licence for at least 3 years.
- You are driving a car that is insured for a learner driver.
- You must not drive on motorways when practising with non-instructor supervisors.
- It’s illegal for the supervising person to use a mobile phone while supervising you.
If you drive without proper supervision, you could face fines up to £1,000 and receive penalty points on your provisional licence.
🚗 Insurance Considerations & Responsibilities
- If you are practising in your own car:
You must ensure the car’s insurance policy covers you as a learner driver under those conditions. - If practising in someone else’s car:
- The car owner’s policy must allow learner drivers, or
- You must arrange your own learner driver insurance that covers that vehicle type.
Some insurance companies require the supervising driver to be over 25. Without valid insurance, you risk prosecution, driving bans, or an unlimited fine.
📑 Logging Your Practice
It’s helpful—and often necessary—to document your practice sessions. The DVSA provides a form you can download to record your supervised driving hours.
Recording helps you review your progress, identify weak spots, and show your instructor what you’ve done.
🧠 Instructor’s Tips (From Real Lessons)
- Choose safe, low-traffic areas for early practice (quiet residential roads, large empty car parks) before going onto busier routes.
- Before every session, talk through what you’ll practice (e.g. mirror checks, moving off, hill starts) so you’re not guessing.
- After each session, review mistakes openly—what went well, what to deliberately work on next time.
- Practice under different conditions (wet roads, dusk, light traffic) so you are prepared for test and real-world variation.
⚠ Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Result / Risk | How to Prevent |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisor doesn’t meet legal criteria | Practice could be illegal, your actions invalid | Always check supervisor’s licence length & category |
| Driving uninsured | Serious legal consequences | Confirm insurance coverage before driving |
| Using mobile phone while supervising | Distraction, legal breach | Attempting motorway driving with a non-instructor |
| Using a mobile phone while supervising | Illegal and unsupported | Only use motorways with a DVSA-approved instructor in a dual-controlled vehicle |
| Not logging practice | Missed feedback, lack of structure | Keep a log of every session — date, time, focus, mistakes |
📋 Practice-Session Checklist
- Supervisor is 21+ with full licence for the correct vehicle type and with 3 years’ licence experience
- Insurance arrangement confirmed (yours or owner’s policy)
- Choose a safe route (low traffic, clear visibility)
- Focus on specific skills (e.g. observation, clutch control, junction handling)
- Review the session — note strengths, errors, next goals
- Log your session details (date, time, length, focus)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I practise on motorways with a family member?
A: No. When practising with family or friends (i.e. not an instructor), it is illegal to drive on motorways.
Q: Can the supervising person supervise in a car they don’t own?
A: Yes — provided their licence permits that category, and there’s proper insurance coverage allowing a learner driver in that vehicle.
Q: Is there a minimum number of hours I must practise with family/friends?
A: Legally, there is no minimum. But practice helps substantially, and many learners aim for regular sessions to reinforce what is learned in professional lessons.
📚 Attribution & Official Sources
This content is adapted based on official UK guidance and DVSA rules. FQ Driving Academy is not affiliated with DVSA. For the original rules and additional details, see:
- GOV.UK / DVSA advice on driving with non-instructors and supervision rules FQ Driving Academy
- GOV.UK / DVSA guidance on learner driver insurance and practice logging FQ Driving Academy
