Practising with family and friends: the rules

Practising between lessons is one of the best ways to build confidence and become test-ready sooner. But there are strict rules, for you and for whoever sits next to you.

#Who can supervise you

Your supervisor must:

• be 21 or over
• be qualified to drive the type of car you're learning in: for a manual car, they must hold a full manual licence
• have held their full licence for at least 3 years
• be fit to supervise: they mustn't be over the drink-drive limit or using a hand-held phone

Your supervisor can be fined, get penalty points or be banned if they break these rules. Only an approved driving instructor can charge you for supervising your driving.

#Insurance

You must be insured to drive the car. You can be added to the owner's policy as a named learner driver, or buy separate learner driver insurance, which protects the owner's no-claims discount. Driving without insurance is a serious offence.

#The car

The car must be:

• roadworthy, taxed and with a valid MOT if it needs one
• showing L plates on the front and back (D plates in Wales). Take them off when the car is driven by someone who isn't a learner.

#Where you can drive

You can drive on most public roads. You can't drive on motorways unless you're with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls.

#Making practice count

• Ask your instructor what to practise. Your lesson feedback in the app shows what you've mastered and what needs work.
• Start somewhere quiet, such as a quiet residential area, and build up to busier roads.
• Practise what you've already learned. Leave brand-new skills to your lessons, where the car has dual controls.
• Mix it up: different times of day, different weather, roads you don't know.
• Keep calm in the car. A relaxed supervisor makes a much better teacher. Agree in advance how they'll tell you about mistakes.